Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA) for Ghanaian Professionals & Students

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Seidu Ziblim

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Not Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

5

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will leverage on the Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA) course to empower professionals and students with knowledge and certification in Cardano blockchain. 

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Frequent Updates: The project's meetings and activities will be published regularly to keep the Cardano community updated via the Cardano Forum and our media channels.

Registration: Google Forms will be used for learner registration and record-keeping. Non-sensitive data from the registration process will be shared as part of the project progress reports.

Webinar Publication: At the end of each meeting, we will conduct a survey to assess how learners are responding to the course. The survey results will be shared with the Cardano community via the Cardano Forum and our media channels.

Media Engagement & Marketing: Every stage of the project will be promoted on mainstream social media platforms and via direct emails to course participants.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

The Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA) course serves as a gateway into the world of decentralized technology and blockchain. It provides a balanced education that covers both the theoretical aspects of blockchain and the practical functionalities of the Cardano blockchain. For learners aiming to further their careers in the blockchain space, contribute to Cardano's governance or develop decentralized applications, the CBCA course will equips them with the foundational knowledge to do so. The course will prepare learners to engage with Cardano both as users and contributors, enabling them to navigate its ecosystem effectively and potentially pursue deeper specialization within the blockchain field. Completing the CBCA course will lead to opportunities for collaborate on projects or even develop new business ventures within the Cardano ecosystem.

 

The CBCA course will opens various doors for learners. First and foremost, it will offer a certified qualification that demonstrates a clear understanding of Cardano blockchain, making it beneficial for individuals seeking employment or engagement in the blockchain sector. Blockchain is becoming increasingly relevant across various industries, and professionals with certified knowledge are better positioned to capitalize on this trend.

 

IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP 

Foundation and Awareness: We have conducted a feasibility study to recruit learners for the project. Our first task will be to contact all those who expressed interest in the course, providing them with additional information for confirmation. We will then proceed with marketing and awareness campaigns targeting students and professionals. These campaigns will utilize social media platforms and webinars to explain the benefits of the course.

Enrollment and Onboarding: The onboarding phase will officially begin with registration for the full program. We will organize an info session to introduce all potential learners to the course and assist them in enrolling via the Cardano Academy website. During this session, we will guide them on how to navigate the learning resources and use their respective dashboards. Additionally, we will set up forums for community support and collaboration.

Full Program Rollout: Learners will begin reading the course unit by unit to complete all four (4) modules, which consist of 29 units in total, in preparation for the certified associate exam. They will have 8 weeks to complete the course. Bi-weekly webinars will be held to assess the progress and ensure all candidates are on track, while offering support where needed.

Preparation for Exam & Sponsorship: The Cardano Ghana team will conduct internal quizzes to identify the most outstanding candidates, who will be sponsored for their exam registration fees. The target number is 50 candidates, comprising 35 students and 15 professionals. Our team will then coordinate with the examination center to register the candidates for the certification exam. A four-week preparation window will be provided, during which candidates can use standard sample questions and make use of the recap room tips to enhance their exam readiness.

Graduation Ceremony & Induction: Cardano Ghana will organize an in-person ceremony to mark the completion of the course. Successful candidates will be awarded their certificates at the ceremony. Industry stakeholders will be invited to explore hiring possibilities. Special guests, including Wada Ghana Lead, Intersect Ghana Hub Lead, and Cardano enthusiasts in Ghana, will be invited to grace the occasion.

Graduates will then be inducted into the Cardano ecosystem by being introduced to community groups, IntersectMBO, and ongoing projects within the ecosystem. They will be encouraged to contribute to the ecosystem through participation in projects like Project Catalyst, governance initiatives like delegated representatives (DReps), or by assisting with educational outreach for Cardano.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

IMPACTS OF CBCA ON CARDANO ECOSYSTEM 

1. Increased Adoption of Cardano Technology: When professionals and students read the CBCA course, they will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Cardano blockchain, its architecture, and use cases. This knowledge leads to greater adoption of the technology in both corporate and academic settings, encouraging more projects, applications, and businesses to build on Cardano.
2. Enhanced Developer Ecosystem: The CBCA course will equips both students and professionals with the technical skills necessary to ideate solutions on Cardano. An increase in the number of skilled developers can leads to the creation of innovative products, strengthening the ecosystem.
3. Strengthening Governance and Participation: Educating people about Cardano through certified courses creates a more informed community. In particular, for initiatives like CIP-1694 governance, individuals who complete the course are better prepared to engage in decentralized governance discussions, contributing to more decentralized decision-making and long-term sustainability.
4. Wider Industry Recognition and Legitimacy: Certification programs like CBCA can lead to increased industry recognition of the Cardano blockchain. As professionals acquire formal qualifications, it enhances the legitimacy of Cardano in the eyes of businesses, regulators and potential investors, encouraging more mainstream use of the technology.
5. Promotion of Innovation and Research: The course will inspires students and researchers to explore the technical aspects of Cardano, including Ouroboros-the consensus algorithm and extended-UTXO models. This academic engagement can often leads to innovations that can push the boundaries of blockchain technology, bringing new solutions to existing challenges in Cardano.
6. Improved Employment Opportunities: For both students and professionals, CBCA certification provides a competitive edge in the job market. As the demand for blockchain talent rises, certified individuals can fill key roles in companies or startups within the Cardano ecosystem, helping accelerate the growth and maturity of the ecosystem.

 

In summary, the CBCA course will build a well-educated, highly skilled community that drives adoption, innovation, and governance within the Cardano ecosystem, creating a virtuous cycle of growth and improvement. The project will provide certified Cardano Blockchain certificates to 50 people while reaching out to over 50 others who will be reading the course.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Feasibility of the Project

The Cardano Ghana Community team has conducted a feasibility study on this project to understand the background of students and professionals, their interest in the course, and the type of support they will need to complete the course and take the certification exam. You can find the survey form here. Based on the responses from the survey we conducted and ground checks, the project has a high chance of achieving its objective: to enlighten Ghanaian professionals and students on the Cardano blockchain with a globally recognized certificate in the blockchain space.

 

The CBCA course is available on the Cardano Academy website. It is already designed and placed in a study portal, and access to the course is free. For the exam, there are five institutions in Ghana accredited to conduct the exams, making it possible for participants to take the exam after completing the course. You can find the list of accredited institutions for the exam by searching "Ghana" here. With community support via funding, we will cover the examination fees for 50 selected individuals to take the exam. The project is designed to run for five months, giving enough time to achieve the project goal.

Capability of the Cardano Ghana Community

The Cardano Ghana Community is a vibrant and active group within the Cardano ecosystem. The team discovered Cardano in 2021 and since then has participated in and contributed to various programs aimed at shaping the Cardano blockchain. The community is a regular host of the annual Cardano Summit since 2021. The Cardano Ghana team has won four Catalyst proposals, of which three have been completed, and the fourth is 75% complete. The team has also hosted Catalyst working group workshop and the Cardano Constitutional workshop. The community has onboarded over 500 people into Cardano, many of whom are now actively participating in Cardano's on-chain governance as DReps, delegators, and Project Catalyst participants.

Find evidence below:

• Cardano Constitutional Workshop
• Catalyst Working Group Workshop
• Cardano Summit
• Cardano Ghana CIP-1694 Governance Working Group 
• DReps Onboarding Empowering Cardano Ghana Community
• Cardano Ghana Community
• Catalyst Campus Train 

Based on the successful completion of our previous Catalyst-funded projects, our commitment to leading the Ghanaian Cardano community, our active participation in the Cardano ecosystem, membership in IntersectMBO and the comprehensive planning of this project with a clear roadmap, we are confident that we can complete the project on time while meeting its goals. We will continue to be transparent in reporting our progress across various channels and ecosystem platforms.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Foundation, Enrollment and Onboarding

Estimated Cost 15,000

Our first task will be to contact all those who expressed interest in the course, providing them with additional information for confirmation. We will then proceed with marketing and awareness campaigns targeting students and professionals.

Onboarding phase will officially begin with the registration of learners. We will organize an info session to introduce all candidates to the course and assist them in enrolling via the Cardano Academy website. During this session, we will guide them on how to navigate the learning resources and use their respective dashboards. Additionally, we will set up forums for community support and collaboration.

Program Rollout and Preparation for Exam

Estimated Cost 20,000

Learners will be provided with internet data and technical support to start reading the CBCA course. Bi-weekly webinars will be held to assess the progress and ensure all learners are on track, while offering support where needed. After completion of the course, we will conduct internal quizzes to identify the most outstanding candidates, who will be sponsored for their exam registration fees. The target number is 50 candidates, comprising 35 students and 15 professionals.

Our team will then coordinate with the examination center to register the candidates for the certification exam. A four-week preparation window will be provided, during which candidates can use standard sample questions and make use of the recap room tips to enhance their exam readiness. The Bi-weekly webinars will continue to offer support in preparing for the exams. 

Graduation Ceremony & Induction

Estimated Cost 15,000

We will organize an in-person ceremony to mark the completion of the course. Successful candidates will be awarded their certificates at the ceremony. Industry stakeholders will be invited to explore hiring possibilities. Special guests, including Wada Ghana Lead, Intersect Ghana Hub Lead, and Cardano enthusiasts in Ghana, will be invited to grace the occasion.

Graduates will then be inducted into the Cardano ecosystem by being introduced to community groups, professional associations, and ongoing projects within the ecosystem. They will be encouraged to contribute to the ecosystem through participation in projects, governance initiatives as delegated representatives (DReps), or by assisting with educational outreach for Cardano. 

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Project Lead

Seidu Ziblim is a graduate of the Cardano Blockchain Certified Associates (CBCA), co-founder of the Cardano Ghana Community, a paid member of Intersect MBO, delegate to the constitutional convention in Argentina and the Technical Director at Chosen Fintech Solutions, a company focused on providing blockchain and cloud computing education to newcomers and users to enhance mass adoption. Seidu holds a degree in economics and possesses strong IT skills, particularly in branding and graphic design technology. With over seven years of experience in blockchain education, Seidu has been an active advocate for Cardano and Project Catalyst since 2021. In Catalyst, Seidu serves as a proposer, community reviewer (L1 & L2), voter and milestone reviewer.

Roles

• Develop and implement strategies to promote the course to students and professionals.
• Use social media, email marketing, webinars, and community outreach to raise awareness.
• Build partnerships with educational institutions, professional bodies, and tech communities to boost enrollment.
• Organize events to introduce the course and highlight its benefits.

X: @seiduziblim Email: ziblimseidu99@gmail.com

Mohammed Mustapha

Mohammed Mustapha, an alumnus of Lead for Ghana, co-founder of the Cardano Ghana Community, Cardano Ambassador and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He is dedicated to advancing blockchain education, youth empowerment, and community-driven projects. Since 2021, he has organized and facilitated several community-led events, including the Cardano Summit in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which collectively engaged over 500 participants. He has onboarded more than 200 individuals to Project Catalyst and educated hundreds more on opportunities within the Cardano ecosystem.

Roles

• Provide support for prospective students throughout the course process.
• Answer inquiries, resolve issues, and guide students through registration, study tips, and exam preparation.
• Facilitate discussion groups, peer-to-peer learning, and interactive sessions to keep students motivated.
• Track student progress, gather feedback, and address concerns.

X: @mmustaphayakubu Email: mmustaphayakubu@gmail.com

Cardano Ghana Team

Roles

• Handle logistics for organizing exams, including coordinating with accredited bodies.
• Schedule exam dates, manage registrations, and ensure candidates meet the exam requirements.
• Ensure a smooth exam process, including certification issuance after passing.
• Maintain relationships with accreditation bodies and ensure compliance with their standards.
• Organize graduation ceremonies to mark the completion of the course.

X: cardanoghana Email:cardanoghana@gmail.com

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Access PDF here

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

VALUABLE RETURNS TO THE CARDANO TREASURY 

1. Empowerment: Empowering individuals and communities to become active participants in the Cardano ecosystem is crucial. By funding educational programs like the CBCA, the treasury equips professionals and students with the tools, knowledge, and certifications to become contributors, validators, or developers strengthening the ecosystem from within.
2. Decentralization: Funding initiatives that support widespread and decentralized education ensures that knowledge of blockchain and Cardano is not limited to one region or group, fostering global inclusivity. By empowering both professionals and students globally, this decentralizes access to learning and opportunities.
3. Sustainability: The Cardano ecosystem thrives on long-term, sustainable growth. Funding educational initiatives, such as CBCA, equips participants with the necessary skills to contribute to the blockchain's sustainable development, creating a self-sustaining community of experts.
4. Innovation: The Cardano ecosystem encourages innovation in technology, governance, and community building. By funding CBCA course, the ecosystem invests in future innovators, enabling them to leverage Cardano’s blockchain infrastructure for developing new solutions and driving the ecosystem forward.
5. Plugging back into the treasury: Funding the CBCA course, including covering examination fees, could generate some income for the Cardano Foundation. Approximately 15,000 ADA will be paid by candidates to take the exams through an accredited institution.

In summarize, funding the CBCA course through the Cardano treasury empowers global participants with blockchain knowledge, fostering decentralization, sustainability and innovation within the ecosystem. By equipping professionals and students with valuable skills, the project will strengthens Cardano’s development with potential income from examination fees (approximately 15,000 ADA) contributing back to the treasury and ensuring long-term ecosystem growth.