“I had been hearing about Canva everywhere, and as a digital skills enthusiast, the chance to join the training felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I grabbed it to finally see and learn what this Canva thing is all about.”
Isaac Ohene, a dedicated Catalyst (community-based leader) from Atanve Spot, joined EduSpots out of his deep passion for helping and supporting people around him. While serving as a national service teacher at Atanve D/A Basic School, he heard about EduSpots and was immediately drawn to its mission of creating community-led change through education. “My love for children and curiosity about early childhood education led me to join as the EduKidz co-strand lead.”, he said. He also served as the Spot organiser, helping to coordinate activities in the community. Even after being transferred to another community, Isaac continued to support the team virtually.
In 2024, Isaac was part of the 30 Catalysts selected to take part in the Catalyse Leadership Programme, where his project focused on safeguarding. Working closely with his community and fellow Catalysts, he used the grant funding from EduSpots to renovate the Atanve School Library, transforming it into a safer and more comfortable space for learners. This project not only improved the physical environment of the school but also strengthened community engagement and ownership of the Spot.
Currently, Isaac teaches at Okumah Basic School in the Krachi East District of the Oti Region. Due to a shortage of teachers willing to accept postings in the area, he teaches eight subjects across combined Basic 7 and 8 classes. Despite the heavy workload, Isaac remains committed to his students, describing teaching as an opportunity to serve.
One part of the training that particularly stood out for him was when the facilitator explained how to blend colours, choose the right combinations for specific designs, and understand the meaning behind each colour choice. “This session completely changed the way I viewed design and creativity”, he added. He recalls that the lesson on colour psychology still guides how he approaches every design today.
However, Isaac’s learning journey was not without challenges. Internet connectivity in his community was unstable, and he often experienced interruptions during the sessions. To overcome this, he walked about 15 minutes to a farm near the Volta Lake, where the network connection was stronger. With no electricity in the community, he also invested in a small solar system to power his phone and laptop. “Determined not to miss out on anything, I asked for permission to record the training sessions using a screen recorder app so I could rewatch them during weekends and complete my assignments”, he revealed.
On 11th October 2025, tragedy struck when a boat accident on the Volta Lake, Kete Krachi, claimed the lives of 16 people, including seven of Isaac’s students. The incident devastated the entire community. “When preparations began for the funeral, I noticed that the invitation flyer designed for the event was not appealing. Remembering the design skills I had recently acquired through the EduBytes Canva training, I volunteered to redesign all the materials for the funeral, including banners and flyers”, he recounted. His thoughtful and appealing designs were later shared with the Ghana Education Service, the District Assembly, and other community stakeholders.
Reflecting on the experience, Isaac shared, “Had I not taken part in the Canva training, I would not have had the skills to support my community in such a meaningful way.” The experience showed him the true value of digital skills, not just for personal development, but for serving his community in times of crisis.
Inspired by what he learned, Isaac now plans to establish a small charity and start an initiative to train learners in his community who are interested in graphic design. “By introducing them to Canva at an early stage, I hope to equip them with creativity and digital confidence to innovate and create in this digital age”, he stated. He also plans to continue serving as the community’s go-to designer, supporting both the school and wider community projects.
Following the success of the Canva training, Isaac has continued to build his skills by taking part in other EduBytes courses such as the Professional Growth Lab & Collaboration and Communication with Google Docs. Each session, he says, brings him closer to his goal of becoming a digitally skilled educator who can mentor others in his community and beyond.
To his fellow Catalysts, Isaac encourages them to seize every opportunity that EduSpots provides to enhance their digital and professional skills. In his words, “digital skills are no longer optional for teachers and changemakers, they are essential to drive impact.”
Isaac also expressed deep gratitude to the EduBytes team for creating such a transformative programme. He hopes that the initiative continues to grow and eventually introduces even more advanced digital skills, such as data analysis.
For Isaac, EduSpots has become a family that continues to inspire his growth as an educator, and community leader. Through the EduBytes Programme, he has learned that with determination, creativity, and the right opportunities, even teachers in remotest communities can create lasting impact and drive change from the ground up.