Friday, 11 March 2016

Project Manager Tom Cronin 2.0

Last year, I left my teaching job in UK to live and work in Ghana, running a teacher training program for EDP. Having heard about the project through a friend, I got in contact with David and Inez. As soon as they began to talk about the school, I could feel the passion they had for the project and was instantly hooked. I moved out to Ghana a month later. My five months at the school focussed on improving teaching methodologies, generic school policies and communications between the school and EDP. I loved working with the students and teachers in such a positive and constructive environment. I felt that great things were going on all around me, all the time. I finished my time in Ghana in October and returned to the UK. I was offered the Project Manager position and felt it was an opportunity I could not turn down. I returned to EDP Ghana as Project Manager in January excited and apprehensive but absolutely determined to achieve the objectives I had set myself.

It has been a steep learning curve. The teaching aspect is my specialism and comes fairly naturally to me, but in order to effectively oversee all aspects of the project I have had to learn a wide range of information and skills very quickly. I am extremely lucky to have a strong team around me to support the project (and me), each with their own area of expertise. The year will undoubtedly bring challenges. The unpredictability of work in Ghana is both the biggest reward and biggest frustration. We have a great team both in the UK and Ghana. I am proud to be involved in the project and I look forward to see the ground we can make this year.