2012 Springboard Road Show

The 2012 Springboard Road Show has been launched with the target of rallying over one million youth within the next five years to rebuild Africa’s persistent socio-economic challenges, Albert Ocran, Executive Director of the Springboard Road Show Foundation, has disclosed.

“The impact of the 2012 Springboard Road Show is expected to be significantly multiplied. This is an unprecedented initiative with the potential to contribute to the transformation of the youth by promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and excellence that is essential for our national developmental effort,” Mr. Ocran said.

The Springboard Road Show is a personal-development conference aimed at equipping participants in areas like planning, investments, entrepreneurship, career-enhancement and relationships.

It is organised by the Springboard Road Show Foundation, a non-profit civil society organisation run by Legacy and Legacy, a human-capital development firm.
At a media briefing in Accra to officially launch the 2012 road show on the theme,

“Promoting Excellence through Innovation and Technology”, Mr. Ocran said: “With over 50,000 alumni, it is the foremost point of convergence and preparation for the country’s emerging crop of entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.

“The 2012 road show will cover the nation, Gambia and the United Kingdom with a rare interaction with 30 high-profile speakers and business leaders.”

He announced that this year’s event, which will visit the 10 regional capitals, will commence with a national convocation at the Trade Fair Centre, La-Accra, on Saturday January 28. It will then proceed to Fountain Gate Chapel, Bolgatanga, on Saturday February 4; Radach Memorial Hall, Tamale, Tuesday February 7; and University of Development Studies (UDS) Auditorium, Wa, on Saturday February 11.

The road show will then continue at Sunyani Polytechnic Auditorium on Wednesday February 15;, Calvary Charismatic Centre (CCC) Kumasi on Saturday February 18; New ICGC Church Complex, Koforidua, on Wednesday February 22; UCC Campus, Cape Coast on Saturday February 25; Takoradi Polytechnic Auditorium on Wednesday February 29; and Ho Polytechnic Auditorium for the grand finale on Saturday March 3.

Mr. Ocran projected to reach between 15,000 and 20,000 participants in the main-country events, and will also visit 15 Senior High Schools to provide career-guidance and mentoring sessions for the students.

“We have consistently kept a database of attendees for the purpose of communicating with them and following up on their progress and some of their success stories. Over the years, we have built up a list of 50,000 alumni that we regularly keep in touch with through email, text and the media.”

He said: “If every young person in the country could be challenged to be informed, principled and excellent in their work, we will be on our way to building a better society and a stronger continent and raise our own success stories by engaging and challenging the youth with the right values and connecting them to role models who have been outstanding in their fields of work.

“I have no doubt in my mind that a child who grows up hearing stories and programmes on possibility, achievement, discipline and diligence in our various media will eventually end up living out these values and making a positive contribution to the development of our country and continent.”

He called on corporate organisations and the media to continue to support the use of the airwaves for educational and motivational interventions.

Daniel Asiedu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, observed that Africa is currently coming under the spotlight of the international community.

“This calls for aggressive and sustainable development strategies to equip the youth, who are indeed the future of the continent, with tools and practical knowledge on technological advancement and innovation grounded on a culture of excellence. If there is a time when we need an informed and capable youth in the nation, it is now.

“We at Zenith Bank believe in the future of our nation, and therefore are particularly interested in the capacity-building of the youth.

“We will continue to invest in personal development by supporting activities that improve self-knowledge and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital, enhance quality of life and contribute to the realisation of dreams and aspirations,” Mr. Asiedu stressed.