MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP
MANDELA WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. The Mandela Washington Fellowship began in 2014 with 500 fellows.
The 2015 Mandela Washington Fellows will arrive in the United States on June 19, 2015 where they will spend six weeks studying business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, or public management at a U.S. institution of higher education. They will also hone their leadership skills and network with other young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. After the academic residency at a U.S. college or university, they will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in a three-day Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit hosted by President Obama. During the summit, they will have the opportunity to interact with U.S. leaders in the fields of business, government, and the non-profit sector. In addition, a small number of Fellows will remain in the United States for additional professional development experiences at U.S. companies, non-profit organizations, or government agencies.
Upon completion of the U.S.-based program, the Fellowship continues in Africa where they will have access to ongoing professional development, networking, and a variety of possible funding sources. This will create unique opportunities in Africa for fellows to put practical new skills to use in leading their organizations, communities, and countries.
This year,
Over 2000 applications
90 shortlisted for interview
19 selected. Here are some of the lucky selected persons..
Hikmat Baba Dua is the Founder and Executive Director of League of Young Female Leaders; a registered non-profit organization focused on advancing the status of girls and women in Ghana through mentorship and advocacy coupled with a charity module. She works with LitWorld International and Global Girls Rising as Tamale Regional Coordinator for the 10,000 Global Girls Initiative.
In 2013, she was awarded the MILEAD Fellowship as one of 27 most
promising women leaders in Africa by the Moremi Initiative for Women’s
Leadership in Africa.
She is also A World at School Global Youth Ambassador, a Global Startup Youth, a Fellow of the International Development Summer Institute and a 2015 Fellow of Vital Voices. She has also been named among 200 young leaders by Women Deliver with a 3 year fellowship award.
Hikmat holds a BA in Sociology and Social Work (major) with Political Science (minor) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. She received various awards at the KNUST including the Personality of the Year Award (2012) at the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Awards, KNUST where she served as a proactive student leader. She is currently pursuing an MPhil in Development Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana.
Hikmat is passionate about Africa, education, women’s/ girls' empowerment, human rights, social entrepreneurship, good governance and development. She is also a staunch advocate against child/forced marriages and all forms of violence and discrimination against girls and women.
She is hopeful the fellowship will among other things equip her with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to start an education academy which will also serve as a learning center during summer for out of school girls; broaden her network for mutual benefit; and help her contribute to the African narrative positively.
She is also A World at School Global Youth Ambassador, a Global Startup Youth, a Fellow of the International Development Summer Institute and a 2015 Fellow of Vital Voices. She has also been named among 200 young leaders by Women Deliver with a 3 year fellowship award.
Hikmat holds a BA in Sociology and Social Work (major) with Political Science (minor) from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. She received various awards at the KNUST including the Personality of the Year Award (2012) at the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Awards, KNUST where she served as a proactive student leader. She is currently pursuing an MPhil in Development Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana.
Hikmat is passionate about Africa, education, women’s/ girls' empowerment, human rights, social entrepreneurship, good governance and development. She is also a staunch advocate against child/forced marriages and all forms of violence and discrimination against girls and women.
She is hopeful the fellowship will among other things equip her with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to start an education academy which will also serve as a learning center during summer for out of school girls; broaden her network for mutual benefit; and help her contribute to the African narrative positively.
Rasheeda Mandeeya Yehuza. She is passionate about technology and how
we can apply it to improve development in Ghana and in Africa at-large.
Rasheeda currently works as a software engineer at VOTO Mobile, which provides a platform to amplify the voice of the under-heard and under-represented via a mobile phone notification and survey platform.
In 2013, Rasheeda founded Nasara Tech Ltd, a technology-focused company that creates solutions to problems identified in local communities, and accordingly can be applied worldwide. She has led and managed the development of Nasara Tech's two in-house products, Nasara Mobile and The Nasara Voting System, as well as custom application projects for specific client needs. With her keen knowledge of technology and programming, she has also built computer games such as Buju Hunt and Sphere Attack and has developed desktop applications, including the snapso shutdown manager and web browser as freewares which can be found on softpedia.
Rasheeda currently works as a software engineer at VOTO Mobile, which provides a platform to amplify the voice of the under-heard and under-represented via a mobile phone notification and survey platform.
In 2013, Rasheeda founded Nasara Tech Ltd, a technology-focused company that creates solutions to problems identified in local communities, and accordingly can be applied worldwide. She has led and managed the development of Nasara Tech's two in-house products, Nasara Mobile and The Nasara Voting System, as well as custom application projects for specific client needs. With her keen knowledge of technology and programming, she has also built computer games such as Buju Hunt and Sphere Attack and has developed desktop applications, including the snapso shutdown manager and web browser as freewares which can be found on softpedia.
Rasheeda is
very passionate about youth development and as a result, she is an
active member and organizer of the GhanaThink Foundation programs,
Barcamp Kumasi and 'Kumasi Konnect', both of which bring together young
Ghanaians to learn about the issues that affect them, generate ideas for
development, network and partner with others who have similar interests
t0 improve or create businesses and projects.
As part of her commitment to social entrepreneurship, Rasheeda co-founded Tech Needs Girls Ghana, an interactive workshop for girls in Ghana. The workshop involves a hands-on session where girls learn to develop mobile and web applications, interact with software that teaches them more about STEM, and provides mentoring for female technologists. Rasheeda has instructed and mentored at several Tech Needs Girls events and has spoken at youth and girl education camps around Ghana to help raise the awareness for females in information technology.
Rasheeda is excited about the Mandela Washington Fellowship program, and hopes it will provide a platform to learn and build a network of African leaders ready to make change, as well as an opportunity to grow her leadership skills, on both a personal and professional level.
Congratulations to Rasheeda!
As part of her commitment to social entrepreneurship, Rasheeda co-founded Tech Needs Girls Ghana, an interactive workshop for girls in Ghana. The workshop involves a hands-on session where girls learn to develop mobile and web applications, interact with software that teaches them more about STEM, and provides mentoring for female technologists. Rasheeda has instructed and mentored at several Tech Needs Girls events and has spoken at youth and girl education camps around Ghana to help raise the awareness for females in information technology.
Rasheeda is excited about the Mandela Washington Fellowship program, and hopes it will provide a platform to learn and build a network of African leaders ready to make change, as well as an opportunity to grow her leadership skills, on both a personal and professional level.
Congratulations to Rasheeda!
Felix has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and an Executive MBA from University of Ghana Business School. He is also an alumnus of the Journalism and Executive Management course at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, USA.
Felix is passionate about job creation for the youth and hopes to
return home with fresh ideas and great leadership skills to continue
with the good work he has started. Congratulations, Felix
Priscilla A. Bamfo notes that accepting the challenge to move Tamale has heavily impacted her social involvement. Within the space of only one year, she has transformed from informally volunteering her talent and activities, and has now grown into a fully registered organization called Little Beginnings Trust Foundation, which is officially acknowledged by the Department of Social Welfare and the Tamale Regional Library.
Priscilla’s organization has organized reading programs with orphans of the Children’s Home and has received favourable financial and administrative support from respectable organizations. Priscilla and her organization work tirelessly to positively impact Ghana’s children with the right values. The Little Beginnings Trust Foundation recently held its first fundraiser, with much acclaim and success.
Priscilla believes that the Mandela Washington Fellowship will provide her with better insight into methods of operating an organization and how to overcome challenges to meet their goal. For Priscilla, this knowledge will go a long way to support her work as a Relationship Officer at UT Bank to help her customers to better operate their businesses.
Richard Selormey wears many uniforms; his dental surgeon's coat is just one of them. He is an avid sportsman, a writer and an organizer. He is your go-to man when you need things done both in and out of the hospital.
His passion for helping the marginalized in society has endeared him to many in the villages surrounding Hwidiem, in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana, where he was the first resident dental surgeon in the Ahafo sub-region. In addition to the regular dental outreaches he organizes to communities where there are no dental surgeons, he and his wife also provide nutritious supplements for malnourished children and regularly provide financial support for school going kids and those who are not able to pay hospital bills.
Priscilla A. Bamfo notes that accepting the challenge to move Tamale has heavily impacted her social involvement. Within the space of only one year, she has transformed from informally volunteering her talent and activities, and has now grown into a fully registered organization called Little Beginnings Trust Foundation, which is officially acknowledged by the Department of Social Welfare and the Tamale Regional Library.
Priscilla’s organization has organized reading programs with orphans of the Children’s Home and has received favourable financial and administrative support from respectable organizations. Priscilla and her organization work tirelessly to positively impact Ghana’s children with the right values. The Little Beginnings Trust Foundation recently held its first fundraiser, with much acclaim and success.
Priscilla believes that the Mandela Washington Fellowship will provide her with better insight into methods of operating an organization and how to overcome challenges to meet their goal. For Priscilla, this knowledge will go a long way to support her work as a Relationship Officer at UT Bank to help her customers to better operate their businesses.
Richard Selormey wears many uniforms; his dental surgeon's coat is just one of them. He is an avid sportsman, a writer and an organizer. He is your go-to man when you need things done both in and out of the hospital.
His passion for helping the marginalized in society has endeared him to many in the villages surrounding Hwidiem, in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana, where he was the first resident dental surgeon in the Ahafo sub-region. In addition to the regular dental outreaches he organizes to communities where there are no dental surgeons, he and his wife also provide nutritious supplements for malnourished children and regularly provide financial support for school going kids and those who are not able to pay hospital bills.
For Dr. Richard Selormey, the great
thing about the Fellowship is the sharing of experiences and networking
of likeminded and selfless people who are passionate about the greater
good of society. He believes plugging into such a powerful resource will
enable him be a more effective tool for change.
Richard's philosophy in life is that one can only be truly successful if one's achievements improves the lives of people.
Richard's philosophy in life is that one can only be truly successful if one's achievements improves the lives of people.
Felix Abroquah Besseah. Felixe works with the Ministry
of Finance, where he is part of a team of professional public debt
managers. He formerly worked with the Budget Division within the same
Ministry. He passionately believes that developing people’s
potential rests on the mentorship and encouragement that they receive
from others. Consequently, Felix has always believed and projected the
“yes we can” ambition and attitude when working with others. Felix knows
that things always seem impossible
until they are done! For Felix, teamwork is a necessary aspect within
any network of dedicated young leaders.
Felix formed the Peer-Educators’ Club in his hometown in 2004 to
encourage girl-child education. He has been a core part of several
national budget formation and implementation processes, has aided in the
preparation of the Citizens’ Guide to the budget and formed several
national policy formulation teams at his current Ministry.
For economic prosperity to thrive, Felix believes a selfless and dedicated African society must exist and must focus their initiatives and aspirations on research. Recognizing that weak research dissemination and utilization are among the key challenges facing developing nations such as Ghana, Felix will propose a research and development seminar for the nation.
Felix holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana and a Master of Science degree from the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan where he was both a teaching and research assistant. Best of luck, Felix!
We know every profession has its challenges, but we are proud to encourage civil servants like Felix!
Mary Eyram Ashinyo works with the Ghana Health Service as a sub-district leader, a member of the regional health quality improvement team, a regional focal person for accidents and emergency services, an executive member of the Ghana Medical Association (Volta Division) and a Medical Superintendent in the Volta Region.
As a leader, she has transformed a previously stigmatized leprosarium into a polyclinic which was rated the second best health facility in the entire Volta Region in 2014 in terms of client care. It is now the best sub-district facility in her municipality.
For economic prosperity to thrive, Felix believes a selfless and dedicated African society must exist and must focus their initiatives and aspirations on research. Recognizing that weak research dissemination and utilization are among the key challenges facing developing nations such as Ghana, Felix will propose a research and development seminar for the nation.
Felix holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana and a Master of Science degree from the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan where he was both a teaching and research assistant. Best of luck, Felix!
We know every profession has its challenges, but we are proud to encourage civil servants like Felix!
Mary Eyram Ashinyo works with the Ghana Health Service as a sub-district leader, a member of the regional health quality improvement team, a regional focal person for accidents and emergency services, an executive member of the Ghana Medical Association (Volta Division) and a Medical Superintendent in the Volta Region.
As a leader, she has transformed a previously stigmatized leprosarium into a polyclinic which was rated the second best health facility in the entire Volta Region in 2014 in terms of client care. It is now the best sub-district facility in her municipality.
She holds MBChB from KNUST, an International Health diploma of advanced
studies in Health Care and Management in tropical countries from the
Swiss TPH, Switzerland and is currently in the final weeks of a pursuit
for a Master’s of Public Health in the University of Ghana.
She hopes to network and further build capacity during the Mandela Washington Fellowship, in order to better contribute to the health of the general population of Ghana. All the best to you, Mary!
Princess Sekyere, an eTV Ghana news anchor and corporate communications professional, has been selected for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship. Princess Sekyere has over five years of experience in public and community relations, and is also the Director of Kingdom Concepts Consult (KCC), a media communications company that specializes in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). She founded and leads Princess Sekyere Mission (PSM), a non-profit organization that focuses on youth mentoring for both youth, with specialized programs in communities and on radio.
She holds a Masters Degree in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from the Robert Gordon University, UK, where she focused on crisis communication and CSR.
Princess believes corporations and individuals can positively impact and create change in societies and can complement the work of governments, thereby ensuring sustainable development. We agree, many congratulations to Princess
She hopes to network and further build capacity during the Mandela Washington Fellowship, in order to better contribute to the health of the general population of Ghana. All the best to you, Mary!
Princess Sekyere, an eTV Ghana news anchor and corporate communications professional, has been selected for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship. Princess Sekyere has over five years of experience in public and community relations, and is also the Director of Kingdom Concepts Consult (KCC), a media communications company that specializes in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). She founded and leads Princess Sekyere Mission (PSM), a non-profit organization that focuses on youth mentoring for both youth, with specialized programs in communities and on radio.
She holds a Masters Degree in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from the Robert Gordon University, UK, where she focused on crisis communication and CSR.
Princess believes corporations and individuals can positively impact and create change in societies and can complement the work of governments, thereby ensuring sustainable development. We agree, many congratulations to Princess
Meet
Mark Kebo Akparibo, a Social Entrepreneur and Centre Programme
Coordinator at the Community Self-Reliance Centre (COSEREC), an NGO
based in Bolgatanga, Ghana. Over the past eight years, Mark has worked
on Natural Resource Management initiatives in Northern Ghana. As the
Project Supervisor of the Northern Ghana Village Tree Enterprise
Project, Mark coordinated a team of five partner NGOs to establish
small forest-based enterprises in forest-fringe communities using the
market analysis and development methodology developed by the Food and
Agriculture Organisation.
Mark has been actively involved in the organization of Non–Timber Forest Products stakeholder conferences in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana, which brought together over 600 community beneficiaries, traditional authorities and key actors in the NTFP Value chain. He is currently working on establishing Savannah Innovations Ghana, a social business aimed at harnessing the economic potentials of NTFPs. It’s people like Mark who will preserve Ghana’s forests and enable neighboring communities to flourish - please join us in congratulating Mark!
Mark has been actively involved in the organization of Non–Timber Forest Products stakeholder conferences in the Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana, which brought together over 600 community beneficiaries, traditional authorities and key actors in the NTFP Value chain. He is currently working on establishing Savannah Innovations Ghana, a social business aimed at harnessing the economic potentials of NTFPs. It’s people like Mark who will preserve Ghana’s forests and enable neighboring communities to flourish - please join us in congratulating Mark!
Evans Amankwah, CEO of Midstream Literary Agency (http://www.mla-gh.com/),
has 5 years’ professional experience as a Cambridge English Teacher and
Oxford Teacher’s Club member. He was the President of the Junior Common
Room of Commonwealth Hall in 2006. An English and Political Science
graduate from the University of Ghana, Evans has been promoting
professional English Language Teaching and Learning
across the country. With 24 CPD certifications from Cambridge and
Oxford in English Language Teaching, he created CLAP (Community Literacy
Achievement Programme), a project that will provide 500 weak students
with out-of-class interventional sessions making them A* students in
literacy, so that the community will CLAP for them.
In March 2015, his organization brought 150 English Language Teachers together to discuss current trends in the teaching of English. In 2014, 80 mixed-ability students from 12 schools benefitted from a 1-day residential writing conference. Evans intends to connect with great minds across Africa to nurture his ambitions during the Mandela Washington Fellowship. We CLAP for you Evans, keep advocating for excellence in teaching.
In March 2015, his organization brought 150 English Language Teachers together to discuss current trends in the teaching of English. In 2014, 80 mixed-ability students from 12 schools benefitted from a 1-day residential writing conference. Evans intends to connect with great minds across Africa to nurture his ambitions during the Mandela Washington Fellowship. We CLAP for you Evans, keep advocating for excellence in teaching.
Source http://ghana.usembassy.gov/
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