GhanaThink drives Impact, Innovation and Quality in Ghana with its Barcamp Ghana at the wheel
Barcamp Ghana is a program by the GhanaThink Foundation, an organization based in both Ghana and the USA. This program is building a network of young changemakers, doers and entrepreneurs. The Barcamps bring people together for a day of learning, sharing, networking, and mentoring, with a focus on empowering young people to develop themselves. There have been 120+ physical Barcamps organized in Ghana since December 2008 and 2 virtual ones thanks to Covid-19 (in 2021 and 2022).
Free Event: A Barcamp in Ghana is a free event that’s open to everyone, providing a platform for people to learn, share, and network without any financial barriers.
Diverse Topics: The event covers a wide range of topics, including technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, and personal development, with discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Networking Opportunities: Events through Barcamp Ghana offer ample opportunities for participants to connect with like-minded individuals, potential business partners, and mentors who can guide them in their personal and professional growth.
Mentorship: The Barcamps feature experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help attendees achieve their goals and overcome challenges.
The Barcamps are kept free through partnerships with theGhanaThink Foundation. Some of the partners and sponsors through the years include: Clean Air Fund, Google, Tigo, Hivos Trust, Hollard Ghana, Petra, ExpressPay, mNotify, Hubtel, etc. Barcamps target 18-35 year olds. GhanaThink has partnered with several tertiary educational Institutions: Accra Technical University, SRCs from UHAS, STU, UBIDS, Regent University, West End University College, etc. Various tech and innovation hubs like hapaSpace, Hopin Academy, Mobile Web Ghana, Duapa Werkspace, Noni Hub, iCode, Code Coast, etc have also been partners. Media partners have included the likes of Baobab Entrepreneur, Citi 97.3 FM, etc.
The goals of the Barcamps are to help Ghanaians learn about the issues that affect them, generate ideas for development, network and partner with others who have similar interests and improve or start businesses and projects. Barcamp Ghana is national in nature and currently covers 12 major locations in Ghana (Accra, Tema, Kasoa, Koforidua, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Ho, Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa). GhanaThink members in each location organize each Barcamp with the assistance of volunteers. Barcamps happen at different times and locations in each year so there is adequate human resources available to support and ensure maximum impact in our goals and maximum value for our partners like you and the participants.
Every year, the theme words for our Barcamps change. For 2025, these words are Impact | Innovation | Quality. For impact, the Barcamps would be highlighting impactful initiatives and programs, especially in corporate social responsibility (CSR). For innovation, the networking forums would celebrate local innovators (building scalable solutions) and sharing innovative ways to improve businesses in Ghana, improving the nation as a whole. Quality continues the trend from 2024, where the focus is on the quality of jobs done by youth, the quality of our youth, quality Made-In-Ghana products & services, and air quality. GhanaThink wants to emphasize the quality of our environment, products, services, and systems.
Benjamin Adadevoh participated in his first Barcamp more than a decade ago. He joined the Barcamp Tema team and became the coordinator, leading the organization of 5+ editions. He is currently the Barcamp Ghana Partnership Lead, taking over from Sampson Deklu who had also entered the role after leading Barcamp Kumasi for multiple years. On the theme words, he stated: “We are focusing on Impact, Innovation, and Quality because they represent the kind of mindset and leadership Ghana needs right now. Impact ensures that our efforts lead to real, positive change in people’s lives. Innovation pushes us to think differently and find creative, local solutions to our toughest challenges. Quality reminds us that excellence must be at the heart of everything we do—because how we do things matters just as much as what we do”.
Irene Ali Dery participated in Barcamps in Tamale and Kumasi before she joined the GhanaThink Foundation, focusing on mentors and resource personnel for Barcamp Kumasi. She is the Barcamp Ghana Resources Lead. For 2025, she stated: “We want participants to think about how they can make a positive impact in their lives and communities by coming up with innovative ideas and creating solutions that will improve their quality of life and those around them”.
Barcamp Wa 2025 kicked off the Barcamp year on May 10. Ben’s expectations were met. He had hoped it would be a launchpad for the next generation of changemakers—young Ghanaians who are not only passionate but prepared to lead with purpose. Barcamp Wa 2025 was the biggest and best Barcamp in the Upper West region, with 400+ participants. By numbers, this follows Barcamp Accra 2013 and Barcamp Tamale 2023. Irene’s expectations for Barcamps in 2025 is to see participants discuss and develop innovative ideas and impactful solutions that will create entrepreneurial opportunities and greater prospects for young people in Ghana.
In order to participate in these Barcamps, engage GhanaThink on social media. Registrations (free) happen through eGoTickets, a Ghanaian-built platform built by some Barcampers. These events engender horizontal inspiration (where colleagues and mates mentor and support each other), towards vertical excellence (where youth become empowered and develop towards becoming the best versions of themselves). Engage Barcamp Ghana via Twitter (X), Instagram and Facebook. “Less talk, more action”. “Be part of the movement”. “More vim!”
