The graduation and certification ceremony took place during the Solar Day celebration at Don Bosco Technical Institute, bringing together representatives from Swisscontact, CEWPAG, Don Bosco Technical Institute, industry stakeholders, graduates, and their families to celebrate the achievements of trainees and their transition into the solar workforce.
AyaSol was established to support Ghana's renewable energy ecosystem through targeted interventions that address both skills development and entrepreneurship.
Through AyaSol Grow, practicing electricians receive advanced Solar PV training, certification, professional tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and access to employment and business opportunities within the solar sector. Meanwhile, AyaSol Seed supports graduates of Don Bosco Technical Institute to establish and grow solar businesses through entrepreneurial training, access to solar products, business infrastructure, and market linkages.
By investing in both workforce development and enterprise creation, AyaSol contributes to building a sustainable and inclusive renewable energy sector capable of supporting Ghana's energy transition.
A key highlight of the event was the graduation of the first cohort of 17 AyaSol Grow beneficiaries, all of whom successfully completed an intensive eight-month Solar PV Advanced Training programme.
The ceremony also recognized 18 regular weekday students from Don Bosco Technical Institute, comprising 17 males and one female, who completed their respective solar training programmes.
Upon completion, graduates received certificates from Don Bosco Technical Institute as well as certification through the German certification programme facilitated by AHK Ghana, enhancing their credentials and employability within the renewable energy industry.
To further support their entry into the workforce, AyaSol Grow graduates received solar installation starter toolkits, PPE, and safety equipment. These resources are expected to enable beneficiaries to immediately apply their newly acquired skills through employment opportunities and solar installation projects.
Speaking during the ceremony, Shadrach Klome, AyaSol Grow Intervention Lead, highlighted the intervention's role in creating pathways for electricians and young entrepreneurs to access opportunities within Ghana's renewable energy sector.
He congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the programme and encouraged them to uphold professionalism, quality workmanship, and safety standards as they begin their careers in the industry.
He also expressed appreciation to Don Bosco Technical Institute, the Arthur Waser Foundation (AWF), CEWPAG, and other stakeholders whose contributions have been instrumental in the successful implementation of the intervention
The success of the AyaSol Grow intervention reflects the strength of collaboration among key stakeholders.
Swisscontact acknowledges the commitment and support of Don Bosco Technical Institute, particularly Brother Christof and David Bakayona of the Solar Department, for their dedication to delivering high-quality technical training. Appreciation also goes to CEWPAG for its collaboration throughout implementation and to the Arthur Waser Foundation (AWF), whose support has made it possible to create new opportunities for electricians and young people pursuing careers in renewable energy.
The contribution of families and friends, whose encouragement helped participants successfully complete the programme, also played an important role in the graduates' achievements.
The graduation of AyaSol Grow's first cohort demonstrates the potential of targeted technical skills development programmes to address workforce needs within Ghana's renewable energy sector.
By combining advanced solar training with internationally recognized certification, practical tools, and safety equipment, AyaSol is helping create a direct pathway from training to employment and entrepreneurship.
As demand for renewable energy solutions continues to grow, initiatives such as AyaSol will remain critical in developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting Ghana's transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future