Edibeck Consult today empowered over 100 Ghanaian students and young professionals for a transformative European journey during its comprehensive Pre-Departure Briefing at the Ghana Institution of Engineering. Under the theme **”Bridging Cultures, Building Futures,”** the event prepared delegates for the flagship 2025 Europe Summer Camp and Educational Tour across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France.
Keynote Call to Action: Students as Ghana’s Ambassadors
Simon Madjie, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), delivered a resonant keynote urging participants to embrace their pivotal role:
1. Stay Connected: Prioritize communication with family navigating this first international experience.
2. Represent Ghana: Act as cultural and economic ambassadors—”put your best foot forward” to shape perceptions of Ghana, influencing tourism, investment, and national image.
3. Learn Relentlessly & Network: Track global trends (AI, sustainability, quantum computing) and build diverse international connections—”the biggest currency.”
4. Promote Ghana: Share Ghanaian culture and proactively declare “Ghana is open for business,” acting as “free Investment Promotion Officers.”
Mr Madjie emphasized, “You are active participants in a dialogue between continents, carrying the richness of Ghana and returning with invaluable European perspectives. This is a catalyst for global citizenship.”
Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, Vice-Chancellor of the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), has extended warm greetings and strong support to students embarking on an international program, underscoring the critical importance of global engagement for their development.
In remarks delivered by Dr Esther Asiedu, PhD Coordinator at GCTU on his behalf at the Pre-Departure event, Professor Afoakwa expressed his excitement about the initiative. He emphasized that this program represents a vital opportunity for GCTU students to broaden their perspectives and engage deeply with unfamiliar cultures.
“This program is indeed of paramount importance for global engagement,” the representative stated. “For our students, it’s a time to broaden their perspectives, to explain more, and engage more with cultures you are not familiar with.”
Highlighting a significant institutional milestone, the remarks pointed to the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Edinburgh as a foundation for expanded collaboration. “Having signed the MOU with Edinburgh, we know that we’re going to do more,” the speaker affirmed. “We are going to do more… our partnership is going to bring more students into the next program.”
The Vice-Chancellor’s message included heartfelt thanks to parents for their ongoing support, enabling students to participate in this valuable international experience.
Professor Afoakwa urged the departing students to embrace the opportunity fully: “It’s always good to explore more. Expand your horizon. Do more, learn more.” He noted the relevance of topics like Artificial Intelligence (AI), innovation, and automation for today’s students.
Sending his regards once more, the Vice-Chancellor wished the students a successful and enriching journey. He charged them to represent their nation, institution, and families with pride: “Go as ambassadors of Ghana, ambassadors of your institution, ambassadors of your families. Let us be proud of you. Be respectful.”
Encouraging an inquisitive mindset, the message concluded: “Ask questions there. Your mind must always give you the opportunity to ask questions, and as you ask more questions, you’re able to get good answers. So you’ll learn more. On that note, [the Vice-Chancellor] wishes all of you a happy journey.”
Holistic Preparation for Immersion
The briefing provided critical guidance:
* Itinerary Deep Dive: Confirmed destinations (Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels), university visits, camp locations, and cultural landmarks.
* Cultural Intelligence Bootcamp: Navigating nuances, etiquette, communication styles, and managing culture shock.
* Travel Logistics: Flight details, internal transport (train passes), accommodation (hostels/homestays), and summer packing essentials.
* Health & Safety: Comprehensive travel insurance, emergency protocols, local laws, health precautions, and the inclusion of two dedicated nurses on the tour.
MD Unveils Vision: From 13 to 108 Delegates
In an exclusive interview, Edibeck Consult Managing Director Kwadwo Obiri Ampong highlighted the program’s evolution:
* Growth: Scaling from 13 participants in 2019 (starting with Summer Camps Holland) to 108 in 2025.
* Unique Value: “European camps offer a holistic model beyond tourism: language immersion (Dutch), AI/sustainability workshops, cultural diplomacy, and tech hub exposure.”
* Inclusion: While parent-funded, Edibeck sponsors 4 “smart-but-needy” students annually via CSR.
* Cultural Identity: Ampong urged delegates to “Represent Ghana unapologetically… True progress comes from embracing your roots while absorbing new perspectives.”
Participant Perspective
University-bound Kofi Mensah captured the sentiment: “The emphasis on being cultural ambassadors shifted my mindset. I’m not just visiting Europe – I’m showcasing Ghana’s brilliance.”
Departures: An advance team departs July 25th; the main group leaves July 26th for the 3-week journey.
About Edibeck Consult
Edibeck Consult is a leading Ghanaian educational consultancy specializing in transformative international study tours, summer camps, and academic placements, empowering youth through global experiences that enhance academic prospects, career readiness, and cultural fluency.
By Kingsley Asiedu
