Design thinking is a user-centered approach that has been gaining popularity in recent years for its ability to drive innovation and solve complex problems. The International Trade Centre, through the Gambia Youth Empowerment Project, has recently invested in this methodology by providing a 9-month certification program for 16 individuals to become design thinking trainers.

Facilitated by the Design Thinking Ghana Hub and Design Thinkers Group USA, a global design thinking consulting organization, the trainers graduated from the program with the knowledge, skills and tools to support companies and start-up businesses in their quest to drive innovation and solve complex problems using the Human Centered Design methodology.

The use of design thinking can be applied in various industries and sectors, including business, education, healthcare, and more. It involves empathizing with the people you are designing for, defining their needs, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing. With this approach, organizations can improve their products and services, create new business models, and develop new strategies for growth.

These 16 newly certified trainers are now well positioned to make a significant contribution to the advancement of their country by providing guidance and support to organizations looking to improve their operations and drive innovation. With their new skills, they will be able to help businesses and organizations identify and solve problems in a human-centered way, which will lead to better solutions and more satisfied customers.

We are proud of the hard work and dedication of these trainers and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make in their communities. The use of design thinking to solve complex problems is a powerful tool to drive innovation and promote economic growth, and these trainers are now equipped to lead the way.

In conclusion, this certification program has equipped these 16 individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to support companies and start-up businesses in their quest to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We are confident that they will make a positive impact in their communities and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.