Jennifer is a 23-year-old young woman from Bunkpurugu District in the Northeastern part of Northern Ghana. Jennifer’s dream was to be a nurse because that was all she saw women in her community aspire to be. After senior high school, her mother managed to build a small house for her family. After building, she couldn’t finish the house, but the family had to move in anyway. Jennifer and her family had to live there without electricity.
Jennifer heard about the WEE-North project’s Training to Employment Program from her community Assemblyman. She applied to learn electricals with the primary goal of coming home to provide electricity for her mom. Jennifer’s goal made her take every step of the training seriously. After the training and workplace experience learning (WEL), she went back to her community with the hope of getting work in the electricals sector. Jennifer approached her District Chief Executive with her skills and toolkit. The District Chief Executive said, “Can a lady like you practice electricals? Are you sure?” Jennifer showed her Proficiency One examination certificate to him to confirm her skills. Jennifer was tested by mounting a streetlight, and was successful, impressing her employer. She earned 1,500 Cedis (CAD 172) for mounting three streetlights in a day. Jennifer used the money to purchase electrical supplies and wired her mother’s
Jennifer approached her District Chief Executive with her skills and toolkit. The District Chief Executive said, “Can a lady like you practice electricals? Are you sure?” Jennifer showed her Proficiency One examination certificate to him to confirm her skills. Jennifer was tested by mounting a streetlight, and was successful, impressing her employer. She earned 1,500 Cedis (CAD 172) for mounting three streetlights in a day. Jennifer used the money to purchase electrical supplies and wired her mother’s house.
“I feel fulfilled. I have given my mother and siblings electricity and comfort by using my own skills and resources. My mother is so proud of me and keeps telling everyone that I gave her light. This has served as a marketing strategy for me, and I get to work on new buildings in my community and maintain their electrical systems. I am proud of myself”.Jennifer currently works with WILKINS Engineering as a Field Engineer. She earns a decent income to support her further education. Jennifer hopes to be a well-known commercial electrical engineer. She has registered her start-up company where she provides domestic electrical services and advice to people in Northeast Region.
