SayPro Chief Operating Officer Clifford Legodi is at the forefront of using technology as a tool for deepening cross-cultural dialogue among youth across Africa. As the SayPro Southern Africa Youth Project Erasmus+ Ghana Travel program continues to expand, Legodi emphasizes that digital platforms are not just conveniences—they are critical bridges that connect young people across continents, cultures, and lived experiences.
In today’s globalized world, cultural understanding doesn’t only happen face-to-face. It often begins long before the journey through virtual exchange, and it continues long after the return via digital communities. Clifford Legodi has recognized this shift and worked strategically to integrate digital tools into every phase of SayPro’s international youth programming.
“Technology isn’t replacing human interaction—it’s enhancing it,” says Legodi. “It gives us the ability to prepare young people for what they will experience abroad, and then to sustain their relationships and learning once they return.”
Under his leadership, SayPro has launched several tech-based initiatives that facilitate cross-cultural dialogue:
- Virtual exchange platforms: Before youth even set foot in Ghana, they engage in online dialogue sessions with their Ghanaian peers through video conferencing tools and moderated discussion boards. These sessions cover shared interests, cultural practices, and youth challenges across regions.
- Cultural learning apps: SayPro has begun developing and partnering with app developers to provide youth with interactive tools for learning about Ghanaian customs, languages, etiquette, and history. The same apps are used by Ghanaian youth to explore Southern African cultures, creating a two-way exchange of knowledge.
- Digital storytelling projects: Legodi has promoted youth-led multimedia projects—videos, podcasts, blogs, and photo journals—that allow participants to share their exchange experiences in real time. These stories are published on SayPro’s digital platforms, amplifying youth voices and fostering global empathy.
- AI-supported translation tools: SayPro has also started exploring the use of real-time translation tools to bridge language barriers, enabling participants to communicate more confidently in intercultural spaces.
What makes Legodi’s approach exceptional is his focus on equitable access. Understanding that many young people in rural or underserved areas may not have consistent access to high-speed internet or modern devices, he is actively working on offline-accessible resources, mobile-first platforms, and community digital hubs. In his view, cross-cultural dialogue must be inclusive—or it risks reinforcing the very divides it seeks to overcome.
“Technology can be a great equalizer, but only if we design it with inclusion in mind,” Legodi explains. “Otherwise, we’re only giving a voice to the already-connected.”
He also encourages ethical tech use. Youth are trained on digital citizenship, cyberbullying prevention, and respectful online communication. This ensures that digital dialogue spaces are safe, respectful, and aligned with SayPro’s broader mission of youth empowerment and dignity.
Ultimately, Legodi envisions a future where every youth—regardless of where they are born—can explore, understand, and collaborate with peers around the world through technology. Through his vision, the SayPro Southern Africa Youth Project Erasmus+ Ghana Travel program is not only moving youth physically across borders but digitally and emotionally into new realms of global connection.
SayPro Southern Africa Youth Project Erasmus+ Ghana Travel program.
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