Day 1 - Accra Action Learning Journey

Wake-up Exercise: Embodied Space Reorganization

This morning began with a 90-minute wake-up exercise designed to give participants an embodied experience of the action learning journey. Participants were tasked with reorganizing the room for the day’s activities under specific role-based constraints: - Sight: Some participants wore blindfolds. - Movement: Some were unable to move without guidance. - Speech: Some could not speak. A diagram of the action learning process was displayed on screen throughout the activity as a visual reference. The purpose was to emphasize self-organization, adaptive communication, and collaborative problem-solving in a tangible, embodied way.

Welcome and Opening Session

The Accra Action Learning Journey (ALJ) commenced on a high note at the Accra Resource Centre with 12 enthusiastic participants drawn from diverse professional and community backgrounds. These included community organizers, educators, environmental advocates, and youth leaders. The morning session began with a dynamic and interactive exercise facilitated by Tobias, focusing on the principles of teamwork, collaboration, and shared leadership.

Participants engaged in group-based activities and self-reflective conversations that explored their unique strengths and how these contribute to effective team dynamics. Tobias challenged the group to think beyond conventional roles and examine how empathy, adaptability, and communication play a central role in high-functioning teams. This created an atmosphere of openness and support, with each participant affirming what made them a valuable team member.

Group interaction during Tobias' morning session focusing on team collaboration and self-awareness.

Community Walk and Context Mapping

By mid-morning, at 11:00 a.m., Delfine joined the session and introduced a thought-provoking exercise on community immersion. Participants were led on a neighborhood walk around the Accra Resource Centre with the aim of observing their environment through a systemic lens.

Delfine encouraged the group to draw connections between different elements in the community—such as social behavior, physical infrastructure, and local businesses—to develop an understanding of how these components interact to form a living system. Upon return, a debrief session allowed participants to share their reflections, which covered themes like waste management, informal economies, public space usage, youth development, and urban inequality. The exercise deepened the group’s awareness of the importance of understanding context when designing and implementing change initiatives.

Afternoon Evaluation and Personal Purpose

In the final session of the day, at approximately 2:00 p.m. GMT, Shikhar facilitated an in-depth evaluation and reflection exercise to consolidate the day's learnings. The session began with small group discussions where participants explored questions around purpose, leadership, and impact. Each participant reflected on what personally drives them and how their lived experiences inform the kind of change they want to champion.

This was followed by a full group conversation where participants shared their aspirations and discussed the roles they envisioned taking in their communities. These roles ranged from supporting local youth development initiatives to applying learning in real-world projects and advancing systems-level change through civic engagement and relationship-building. The session was powerful in drawing connections between personal growth and collective action.

Event Highlights

Reflection exercise during which participants were encouraged to share their insights with each other, led by all facilitators.

Team exercise session before Shikhar's session. A fun exercise to stretch and get ready for the final session of the day.

Participant Reviews

“I really enjoyed Tobias’ session. It helped me realize how much value I bring when I listen more and speak with intention.” – Clifford

“The community walk made me think about my own neighborhood differently. I’m inspired to take action on the things I usually ignore.” – Enoch

“Shikhar’s session helped me clarify my goals. I now have a better idea of the kind of leader I want to become.” – Abdul Rahman

Conclusion

Day 1 of the Accra Action Learning Journey was a powerful start to what promises to be a transformative experience. The blend of introspective exercises, community engagement, and strategic reflection provided a holistic foundation for the week ahead. Participants left feeling energized, connected, and ready to deepen their learning.

What’s Next?

On Day 2, we will begin with a 90-minute wake-up exercise to revisit the embodied space reorganization activity, introducing new role-based constraints to deepen participants' self-organization and adaptive collaboration skills. We will then continue with Tobias’ team dynamics session in the morning, followed by a deep dive into the Action Learning Table process led by Delphine. The group looks forward to applying today’s insights in practical, collaborative ways as they continue to co-create solutions for their communities.