At Youth Arise Organization (YAO), we believe that leadership is not a title, but a call to action. This belief was vibrantly brought to life by Team Kamkwamba Force, a group of visionary young leaders from our 2025 Leadership Diary Training Program (LDTP).
Taking the mandate of the Community Impact Project (CIP) to heart, the team successfully installed 19 streetlights across critical parts of the Sakumono community, turning dark, vulnerable pathways into beacons of safety and hope.
From Consultation to Action
True leadership begins with listening. Rather than assuming the needs of the community, Team Kamkwamba Force engaged in deep consultation with local residents and the Assemblyman. This grassroots approach revealed a pressing concern: night-time insecurity.
“We chose this project because we wanted something that truly impacted the people. After talking to the people in the community, we realized this problem affected their daily lives, including students, so solving it would make a real difference”, explained Thirsa Fafa Quist, a member of the team.
Restoring Safety to the Shadows
The team’s research revealed that darkness in Sakumono was more than just an inconvenience; it was a barrier to development. Before these 19 lights were installed, the “cloak of anonymity” provided by the dark invited petty crime, such as bag snatching and harassment.
For the youth, darkness was a direct threat to their education. Students returning from late-afternoon study sessions were often gripped by fear, forcing them to cut their learning hours short. This insecurity acted as an “invisible tax” on the community, shopkeepers closed early to avoid robbery, and workers felt unsafe walking the final stretch from the bus stop to their front doors.
By targeting these “blind spots,” Team Kamkwamba Force reclaimed the night. The project has directly resulted in:
- Safe Passage for Students: Ensuring education isn’t limited by the sunset.
- Economic Vitality: Allowing local vendors to extend business hours safely.
- Physical Protection: Reducing accidents caused by hidden hazards like open gutters and uneven paths.
Overcoming Challenges, Building Confidence
The journey from a proposal to a functioning streetlight is paved with lessons in resource mobilization. For Joseph Obeng, the project was a testament to the power of mentorship.
“By the support of our generous donors and guidance from our CIP mentors, I now feel I can accomplish whatever goal I aim at,” Joseph shared. This reflects the core mission of the LDTP: building the “can-do” spirit in the African youth.
Yvette Fosu, who has lived in Sakumono for years, described the experience as “exhilarating.” She noted, “Knowing that even as a young teenager I have been able to make an impact encourages me to do more and inspire others to take initiative as well.”
About the Community Impact Project (CIP)
The CIP is the practical heartbeat of the Leadership Diary Training Program, an annual initiative by Youth Arise Organization. It challenges participants to move beyond theory by identifying real community needs and executing practical solutions. The 2025 CIP was proudly sponsored by Cargill Ghana and other dedicated partners.
At YAO, we celebrate these young changemakers for proving once again that when equipped with the right skills, the youth are the primary drivers of change today.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey, National Communications Officer (YAO)
