The Kwahu Professionals Network (KPN) has successfully held the fifth edition of its flagship career guidance and student mentorship programme, KPNInspires @ 5, at the Freedom Hills Hotel in Nkwatia-Kwahu on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The event marked a major milestone for the initiative, celebrating five years of empowering students across Kwahu through mentorship, career guidance, and youth development.
Speaking at the programme, the Vice President of KPN and Team Lead for KPNInspires @ 5, Diana Konadu Opoku, said this year’s edition was intentionally designed as an honorary celebration to recognise the partners, sponsors, schools, facilitators, volunteers, and stakeholders whose contributions have sustained the initiative since its inception.
KPNInspires was launched in 2022 under the presidency of Prince Boateng as a platform to provide career guidance, mentorship, and personal development opportunities for students in second-cycle institutions across Kwahu. The initiative aims to expose students to diverse career pathways while equipping them with the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed academic and professional decisions.
Over the past five years, the programme has been hosted in various senior high schools across the Kwahu Ridge, impacting more than 4,200 students. The maiden edition was held at Nkwatia Presbyterian Senior High School (NKWASCO) in 2022, followed by Nkawkaw Senior High School (KAWSEC) in 2023, Mpraeso Senior High School (MPASS) in 2024, and Abetifi Presbyterian Senior High School (APSEC) in 2025.
Beyond mentorship and career guidance, KPNInspires also distributes 2,000 exercise books annually and provides sanitary towels to female students to support education and well-being.
The programme further supports host schools with targeted interventions based on identified needs. Previous donations include a 10,000-litre polytank to KAWSEC in 2023, library books to MPASS in 2024, and cash support for science laboratory equipment and painting works at APSEC in 2025.
The anniversary event brought together representatives from 12 second-cycle institutions across Kwahu, officials from the Kwahu East, Kwahu West, and Kwahu South Education Directorates, as well as facilitators, sponsors, donors, and members of the Kwahu Professionals Network.
The Director of Education for Kwahu East, George Somuah, commended KPN for its consistent investment in education and youth development, describing the initiative as impactful and timely.
He encouraged students to remain focused on their studies and take advantage of opportunities for personal growth, while cautioning against drug abuse, which he said continues to affect discipline and academic performance among young people.
The 2026 edition was held under the International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” which formed the basis for the inter-school debate and essay competitions.
In the debate contest, Nkwatia Presbyterian Senior High School emerged winners, with Nkawkaw Senior High School placing second and Abetifi Presbyterian Senior High School taking third position.
In the essay competition, Mpraeso Senior High School emerged winners, while Abetifi Presbyterian Senior High School placed first and second runners-up.
All participating students received certificates, while winners were awarded plaques, certificates, and prizes for their performance.
Delivering the keynote address, the President of the Kwahu Professionals Network, Richard Nyarko Sarpong, outlined plans to expand the initiative further. He announced the introduction of an inter-school quiz competition focusing on Science, Business, Current Affairs, and General Knowledge.
He also unveiled a new phase of the programme dubbed the KPN Inspires Career Guidance and Mentorship Hub, which will provide structured mentorship, academic support, professional exposure, and long-term development opportunities for selected students from senior high school through tertiary education and into their careers.
The 2026 edition was supported by members of the Kwahu Professionals Network, FON Limited, and corporate sponsors including J.O. Agyapong Global, 5K Pharmaceutical Limited, Sunseekers Tours, MansionCrafts Ghana Limited, Edge S&S, Saka Homes, and Telvan Hotel.
As KPNInspires marks its fifth anniversary, the initiative continues to strengthen its commitment to nurturing future leaders and empowering young people across Kwahu to achieve their full potential.
The Kwahu Professionals Network is a non-profit organisation made up of professionals of Kwahu descent, dedicated to mutual support and the socio-economic development of Kwahuman.
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