Chris Koney’s column: ‘ghana2germany’: Training opportunities for young Ghanaians in Germany

Over the years, I have advocated for African youth to take advantage of opportunities to participate in exchange programmes abroad due to the numerous advantages they come with; from enhancing personal and professional development, increasing cultural awareness, to expanding global networks.

As a beneficiary of a youth exchange programme in my mid-teens through AIESEC, a global, non-political and not-for-profit youth organisation, I can confidently confirm that these experiences foster adaptability, resilience and a broader worldview, making me more competitive in the globalised job market.

Last week, I was hosted at the offices of the Delegation of German Industry and Commercial in Ghana (AHK Ghana) located within the Octagon Building, in Accra.  I was received by Dr. Michael Blank and Richard Ekow Mensah, Head of DEinternational Services & Key Account Management Department.

Since its establishment in 2010, AHK Ghana has been actively involved in promoting and sustainably enhancing economic relations between Germany and Ghana. AHK Ghana is part of the German Chamber Network with presence in 93 countries around the world and offers its expertise, network and services to German and Ghanaian companies.

My conversation with the AHK team focused on AHK Ghana’s support for young Ghanaians in search of apprenticeship and training opportunities with German companies who require skilled young workers from abroad in the medium to long term. This is done in collaboration with and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

As part of efforts to place a spotlight on this project, AHK Ghana launched the ‘ghana2germany’ initiative, which saw five renowned Ghanaian bloggers/content creators recently travelling to Germany to visit companies in which Ghanaian young people were working as trainees. The bloggers/content creators were Edward Asare, Patience Sangmor, Shaunn Armah, Dzidefo Mensah Dotse and Shirley Ann Osei-Owusu, who documented and shared their experiences to highlight the German dual vocational education and training system, and as well encouraged German to give more opportunities to Ghanaian youth.

The trip afforded the Ghanaian content creators the opportunity to engage with several high profiled people, including Managing Directors of German companies, representatives of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Mayor of the city of Lemgo and the Board of Directors of the Dusseldorf Savings and Loan Association.

Dr. Michael Blank, who was on the ten-day trip with the content creators, highlighted some of the exciting results and takeaways from the trip as well as very positive feedback from the Ghanaian content creators.

German family businesses

German family businesses often offer young Ghanaians who want to work and complete an apprenticeship a very good starting point. These companies need skilled workers, particularly for medium-sized companies usually located in the countryside. The “family-based structure” is very helpful when it comes to integrating young trainees from Ghana. In addition, smaller cities are better suited for hosting foreign professionals and giving them a feeling of “being at home” more quickly.

Skill and basic information

When selecting suitable Ghanaian candidates for training in Germany, young people with basic skills are selected easily ahead of those without skills. However, this is not a disadvantage to those without skills, as candidates go through intensive training during their apprenticeship. At the very least, however, they should have an idea of their job/training and know what they are getting into. In addition, it is important for the candidates to have the right attitude, commitment, motivation and willingness to adapt to a different environment.

Knowledge of German language

Knowledge of German is necessary for the success of the training and the stay in Germany. Candidates are encouraged to learn German at work and in practice. It is also important and advisable for trainees to arrive in Germany a few months before the start of their training. This allows them to familiarise themselves with the language, culture and working habits before the actual school and training period begin.

Mentorship

The challenges for the trainees are usually after work and on weekends. Foreign cultures, customs and languages require a supportive hand and the perfect way to navigate this is through mentorship and support from experienced and senior experts, who do their work on a voluntary basis. Young Africans seem to appreciate guidance from older and experienced people in their settling process.

Income and remittance

In the first year of the training programme, young Ghanaians do not earn enough to make regular remittances home, which appears to be a problem for them due to pressures they receive from home. This is discussed with the families prior to their trip to Germany, otherwise there will be too much pressure on the candidates and will lead to frustration.

In concluding our conversation, Dr. Michael Blank indicated that the Delegation of Germany Industry in Ghana (AHK) is proud to have currently facilitated the training of about thirty-five (35) young Ghanaians in Germany. He further stated that they would continue to review the ‘ghana2germany’ programme for possible adjustments to make it more efficient and successful for a win-win situation for all parties involved.

>>>the writer is a thought leader in Marketing Communications, Investor Relations Professional and International Cooperation Specialist. Over the last 15 years, he has made tremendous impact within Africa’s corporate communications and creative arts sectors. He can be reached at [email protected] / +233 20 854 1480

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