Ha! This journey actually started long before now.
Many years before I found myself communicating Ghana’s petroleum story from within the industry, I was standing before stakeholders introducing them to an online transparency platform developed by Penplusbytes in collaboration with Africa Center for Energy Policy #ACEP, with support from #IBIS, to help citizens track and promote the accountable use of… yes, our oil money (ouroilmoney.org).
Full circle? May be but back then, I had no idea that those days of supporting research and publications, facilitating training sessions, moderating engagements, managing digital platforms and working on projects around governance, media and accountability were my preparatory grounds for a career that would span more than a decade in communications.
Strategic Communication is not a new concept. Penplusbytes had long taught many how to communicate with purpose.
It was where I learned that communications transcended an ability to simply write stories or speak into microphones. Your ability to help people understand complex issues, bringing diverse stakeholders together and make important conversations accessible was the key marker. If you were ever a part of any #TechSalon, you’d agree.
I’m not even going to pretend. Like many young people at the start of any meaningful journey, there were days when it felt like I had been thrown into the deep end. Looking back, that was probably one of the greatest gifts of course. It stretched me in ways I didn’t know I needed, I always maintain.
I was fortunate to learn from people who believed in me before I had fully grown into myself. Kwami Ahiabenu,II Ph.D., CFRE’s confidence in young people challenged us to stay ready at all times and to deliver. Jerry Sam gave himself, his knowledge and experience generously, and Juliet A. Amoah brought the calm leadership and steady support that kept everything moving for a lot of us.
I remain very grateful to them and to the many colleagues I had the privilege of working with and yes, Penplusbytes gave me people - a very valuable set. Some of the best friendships, mentors and professional relationships I have to this day began there.
At 25 years of its existence, I’m drawn to ultimately measure them by the people they help shape and I count myself fortunate to be one. Thank you for taking a chance on a young Geography & Resource Development graduate and giving him a foundation that still serves him every single day.
This is my ultimate reflective tribute to an organization that keeps delivering on many programs and projects.
Congratulations to all who have been part of the Penplusbytes story over the years.
Happy 25th anniversary, Penplusbytes. 🎉
Very unclearly from these photos, I haven’t changed much. 🤭 Franka Vaughan, PhD Jacqueline Parditey Sosthenes Kwame Boame DAVID ADUHENE TANOH Janet Yaa Kudor Doreen Misrowoda Dennis Boadu
