My name is Frederick. I'm 27 years old and I come from Asokore Mampong, a town in the Ashanti Region of central Ghana. I studied Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. I wanted to gain more knowledge and learn skills in this profession. So in June 2017 I travelled to Germany for an internship and further studies. I came back to Ghana in September 2019. The Ministry of the Interior and Sport of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg helped me to do this.

The metal industry is Ghana’s future

I’ve always wanted to work in the welding and metal machining sector. I believe that Ghana’s route to economic development lies in industrialisation. After coming back to Ghana, I founded a start-up company. It’s called “Syntropy Engineering Solutions” (SES).

SES produces parts for heavy machinery and it installs and services machines used in mining, construction, the timber industry and agriculture. What else do we do? We perform welding work and produce metal parts. We also train craftspeople. And we do our bit for the environment: I’ve built a shaft furnace that we use to melt down and recycle metal waste.

Empowered by psychosocial counselling

It wasn’t easy reintegrating into Ghanaian society after my time in Germany. I’m grateful that the team of advisors from the GGC gave me help with my new start. The GGC is the Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration. The International Organization for Migration had put me in touch with the GGC team in Accra. That’s where I was given psychosocial support.

The migration and employment promotion from GIZ Ghana also enabled me to get a professional drilling machine for my new start as an entrepreneur. Previously I had to take my materials to other workshops to machine them there. Now I can complete these work steps myself. This saves time and money and also means that I can increase production.

Plans for growth – we provide training!

I have big plans. I’d like to grow my business and expand my customer base to neighbouring countries. I’d like to use the African Continental Free Trade Area to do this. I want to become the recognised local market leader for welding and fabrication work.

I currently employ seven people. I’m proud of that, because unemployment is the biggest problem for young people in Ghana. Anyone who wants to be a member of our team is very welcome. Our company is geared towards growth.

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