Banko Women Organization focuses – as you might already know – on career development by offering jobs at the hostel and vocational training at the learning center. In this blog, I’d love to tell you more about what we offer our staff and students – and what we aim to give them beyond just skills.

Hands-on learning with structure

At the learning center, our students follow a curriculum built around a clear syllabus. There’s time for practice and then an assessment. We take these assessments seriously – they help us understand where the students stand and what still needs attention. It offers structure, direction, and motivation.

At the hostel, the women also learn a lot – from customer service and baking to hygiene, presentation, and more. Even the supervisors have completed a six-month training program with their own syllabus.

We’ve seen how this structured approach helps the women feel seen and supported. Their knowledge grows – and their confidence gets a major boost.

Extra classes and workshops

In addition to technical training, we offer extra classes and workshops. This gives our students – and other members of our community – a chance to grow in other areas too.

We run five business classes. Four of them are led by Dorcas and myself. We cover topics like sales & marketing, budgeting, and customer service. The workshops are interactive – the women work in small groups, discuss, role-play, and practice real-life scenarios.

The fifth business class is led by someone from the district office. It focuses on how to start a sole proprietorship in Ghana: how to register, what fees and taxes to expect, and more. Super practical and valuable.

A focus on personal development

Besides business, we also touch on personal growth. One of the first workshops is called Sisterhood, where we talk about the importance of community, supporting each other – and yes, also about gossiping and the harm it can do.

We also cover topics like health, relationships, and family planning. Dorcas and I start the conversation, followed by in-depth sessions led by a community nurse and a social worker.

Learning from volunteers

We’re also lucky to have volunteers who share their knowledge. One psychologist gave a workshop on the “good and bad voices” we all carry in our heads. Another taught about the circle of influence. The students created mood boards to explore what brings them joy or helps them cope when life feels tough.

Growth happens together

What we see every day at BWO is that this journey isn’t just about learning a skill – it’s about being seen. Whether it’s a student completing her first outfit or a colleague who now welcomes guests with confidence – growth is in the small steps. And that’s what we believe in: working together to build a future where every woman feels empowered to use her voice and talents.

👉 Want to support a stronger future for women in Ghana? Help fund our programs or volunteer at BWO. Together, we make a real difference.

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