Dagaare Wikimedia Community Engagement: Empowering Local Contributors with Support from the Dagbani Wikimedians User Group

The Dagaare Wikimedia Community, a vibrant language community supported by the Dagbani Wikimedians User Group, has recently taken significant steps in building the capacities of its members. This initiative, funded through the User Group’s Community Engagement Activities Fund, aims to empower community members, transforming them into active and skillful contributors across various Wikimedia projects.

During the engagement event, participants, including many newcomers, were guided through the process of creating their Wikimedia user accounts. The session began with a refresher course on Wikipedia editing, catering to both experienced contributors and those new to the platform. This foundational training ensured that everyone, regardless of their prior experience, could effectively navigate and contribute to Wikipedia.

The second part of the event focused on Wikidata. For many community members, this was their first direct training on this powerful tool. This segment provided a comprehensive overview of how to contribute to Wikidata, covering the basics of of data entry (item creation, labeling, and description), the significance of structured data, and how their contributions could enhance the overall quality and accessibility of information. The training emphasized the impact of Wikidata on the wider Wikimedia ecosystem, as well as on language visibility and preservation.

Another critical project covered during the community engagement session was Wikimedia Commons. Participants were educated on the guidelines for acceptable images, the various types of licenses, and the importance of properly captioning, describing, and categorizing images. This training aimed to equip contributors with the knowledge necessary to ensure their images are easily accessible and usable by all users worldwide.

The sessions were expertly facilitated by User:Alhassan Mohammed Awal, the Co-Lead for the Dagaare Wikimedia Community, and User:Zakaria Tunsung, the Communications Manager. Their dedication and expertise ensured that all participants left with a clear understanding of how to contribute effectively to the various Wikimedia projects. The facilitators’ work underscores the importance of localized support and capacity building in enriching the global Wikimedia movement.

Inspired by the leadership and dedication of its members, the community engagement initiative not only strengthens the Dagaare Wikimedia Community but also enriches the entire Wikimedia movement. We look forward to receiving more of such support to ensure the continued growth and contributions of the Dagaare Wikimedia Community to various Wikimedia projects.