Accra Ghana Kasoa YSA Gathering Place Graduation

“All people are happier and feel more self-respect when they can provide for themselves and their family and then reach out to take care of others. I have been grateful for those who helped me meet my needs. I have been even more grateful over the years for those who helped me become self-reliant. And then I have been most grateful for those who showed me how to use some of my surplus to help others.” —President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Opportunities to Do Good,” Ensign, May 2011, 25.

The Accra Ghana Kasoa Stake Presidency led by President Daniel Allotey continues to maintain that the YSA Gathering Place program is “a gospel-centered and self-reliance-based program.” For young single adults who are eager to learn the gospel, stay on the covenant path, and to acquire employment preparatory skills, this program can give them the vocational skills, spiritual knowledge, and life skills they seek. At the end of each training, they recieve a government or state-recognized certificate known as a National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) certificate.

“We love this direction from President Nelson, and we strongly believe that whatever knowledge each of the Lord’s children is willing gain on this earth, it will be at his/her advantage during the world to come” (see Doctrine and Covenants 130:9).

Many classes and programs were offered, including Information Technology, Virtual Media, Hair and Beauty, Engineering, Home Making, and Driving Lessons, among others. Students can choose from this wide range of available courses depending on the time they have at their disposal.

Sister Sally Obeng shared her feelings, “The Gathering Place is indeed a place to be, with the devoted instructors, who are always one call away, to help us understand what really we chose to study.”

“I think it is my first time coming together in a religious setting where members of many faiths share ideas on particular content. It’s amazing,” a community member, Gayan, said.

Brother Collins Ntow shared his feelings: “Coming back from my mission, I had a little idea as to what to do to get a hand-making job. How could I do something to help me focus on my education? But YSA Gathering Place has given me that assistance.”

Miracles were experienced by the instructors and by the students. Collins Sarkodie Aning, a website and ecommerce instructor, taught his students how the Lord has blessed him with various job opportunities due to his sacrifices to teach at the Gathering Place. Edmund Oware a recently returned missionary also shared how he started driving Uber after he completed the driving class. Deborah Darkwah, a member of another faith and YSA Gathering Place student, also shared that learning how to make wigs has blessed her family and brought extra income to her.

After presenting certificates to both students and instructors for recognition and participation, President Daniel Allotey concluded with advice to the graduates to multiply their talent like in the parable of the talents.