Ghana

Mandela Adajagsa is a social development worker with over seven years of experience in community development. He is currently working directly with smallholder farmers, persons with disabilities and youth in the Women’s Integrated Development Organization (WIDO) as a Program Manager. The organization is based in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Ashanti, and Upper West regions of Ghana, where Mandela leads a team of fifteen staff to reach out to over 8,000 smallholder women farmers to improve their livelihoods through sustainable farming in the maize, vegetables, and soy value chains. Mandela is a passionate advocate against economic discrimination of women and children, and is achieving community-oriented results through the formation of groups, networking, and partnership with NGOs and community leaders. Mandela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Integrated Development Studies and a Master’s of Philosophy in Environmental and Resource Management from the University for Development Studies in Ghana. Mandela hopes to become a renowned rural development consultant who will expand smallholder farmer’s rights within major policy frameworks.

Ibrahim Tuzee Abdul-Raheem is a passionate environmentalist, climate change, and sustainable development activist, as well as a youth advocate. He has extensive experience in initiating, facilitating, and managing projects geared towards promoting environmental sustainability, RE development, clean water, and food security in Ghana and Africa. He holds a BSc. in Natural Resources and Environment from UDS and an MPhil candidate in Natural Resources and Environmental Governance at KNUST. As an Environmental Activist, he co-founded Rescue Mission International, a youth-led environmental organization, poised to deal with daily social and environmental issues. As a Pan-Africanist and an active volunteer, he volunteered as a Communication and Social Media Writer/ Activist with YALDAfrica, volunteered for YPS-Africa, UNEP, and MGCY. Tuzee completed a research project, published by GJS, on “CLTS and Household Water Quality Analysis: A Comparative Study in OD and ODF Communities in Savelugu Municipality.” Furthermore, he is certified in Conflict Management/ Resolution and Conflict Mediation by ACRI. Currently, he serves as the National Public Relations Coordinator of NAAP-GH, Secretary-General for GGI, the West African Leader/Coordinator for WYU, and an active member of AYICC. Tuzee is an Environmental, Innovation, and Leadership Management Consultant at OnFrontiers.com. He is also a YIL Fellow and was the Team Lead for WASH. With a strong desire to be a change leader, Tuzee values self-discipline, critical thinking, social innovation, and teamwork in all his endeavors.

Sandra Adu-Afram is a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist and with seven years of experience. She earned a Postgraduate Degree in chemical pathology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, where she worked on ovulatory Polycystic ovarian syndrome among Ghanaian women. Sandra currently volunteers as a front liner in the COVID-19 pandemic by taking samples of suspected cases in Ejisu municipality. She is a member of the accident and mass casualty team of Ejisu government hospital which responds and attends to emergency incidence. She also volunteers to treat patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Sandra combines this with working as the laboratory manager of Ejisu Government hospital where she provides administrative support, maintains laboratory inventory, and ensures the general day to day running of the laboratory unit. Previously, Sandra was involved in the setting up of an antiretroviral treatment center at a hospital with over 440 clients receiving treatment. Her experience in leadership roles and voluntary work has equipped her with skills in motivating others, handling responsibilities, and problem-solving. Sandra is passionate about medical related fields with special interest in public health and the reproductive health of women. She has a long term plan to pursue a PhD in molecular medicine and expand her knowledge and skills to impact the next generation of scientists while being a role model for young girls with interest in science.

Samuel has six years of experience in community development work in the non-profit sector serving his home community. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, Samuel works full time as the CEO of AgoFarms and Innovative Centre, which he started with the mission of ensuring equitable and improved alternative livelihood opportunities for both men and women, building peaceful communities, and ensuring food security and safety for the future generation. He has worked with Send Ghana, a local non-profit in various positions, such as developing woodlots and extending good agronomic practices to farmers to enhance their livelihood, working with women to process soybeans into kebab to feed the malnourished, and building value chains that create jobs in the agricultural sphere. As a result of this experience Samuel has acquired skills in project development and implementation, as well as agribusiness coaching and mentoring. Samuel’s major interest areas in the non-profit sector are environmental degradation mitigation, women and girls’ empowerment, alternative livelihood capacity building and food security.

Samuel Awatey has over 10 years of experience in urban planning and project management working with both local and international organizations such as GIZ, UNDP, European Union, World Bank, EKOenergy Climate Fund, and Millennium Village Project-Bosaaso Cluster Ghana. Samuel is a certified practitioner recognized by Ghana Institute of Planners and Commonwealth Association of Planners. Prior to joining the United Nations as Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Officer, Samuel was in charge of designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects for LGS-Ghana. He has a proven track record in writing high quality monitoring and evaluation reports and is highly skilled in data management, management consulting, resilience urban planning, technical support, and research services. He is also strongly capable in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with staff and administration. Samuel graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Joint Master of Science in Regional Development Planning and Management from TU Dortmund in Germany in collaboration with Universidad Austral de Chile. He also holds a Bachelors of Science in Development Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. Currently, Samuel is a GIZ Returning Expert for LGS-Ghana, a part-time Lecturer, as well as Co-founder and Managing Director for YCCD-Ghana. He was named a Global Goodwill Ambassador in January 2019 in recognition of his global goodwill works, uniting our world, and helping those in need and humanity.

Musah Mohammed Amin is a development practitioner with over 10 years of experience who promotes socio-economic development among impoverished communities in Ghana. Musah currently coordinates Nolbed Foundation’s pre-college gap-year program to bridge the gap between exceptional students and quality higher education. Since 2016, he has led the charge in identifying, recruiting, training, and guiding over 30 students from poor households in Ghana to secure placements and full-ride scholarships into globally renowned universities in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Musah also helped over 100 pupils from basic public schools secure placement into Class-A high schools through Nolbed’s ancillary program. He volunteers business development support services to over 10 groups of small and medium-sized enterprises and community-based organizations in Ghana. Musah successfully completed his Master of Philosophy and conducted research on local-level social and economic development planning. Musah served as an Assistant District Development Planning Officer during his National Service at Atwima-Kwanwoma District Assembly in Ashanti, Ghana, where he helped prepare an Analytical Development Profile report for the District. Musah is passionate about promoting research-based youth development relative to human capital development initiatives.

Natasha Dadzie has four years of work experience in the nonprofit and education sectors. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. As an Engagement Manager with the New Entrepreneurs Xchange for Transformation: Idea to Impact program, she leads stakeholder engagements across platforms and provides venture development consultancy to entrepreneurs. Natasha is passionate about using business as a force for good: creating businesses that contribute to making social impact as well as generating wealth. She uses her expertise to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by helping young startups in Ghana build structure, create long term value and processes for business development, as well as to make social impact. She is passionate about social development, entrepreneurship, youth development, venture growth and success, girl empowerment, and child rights. She created, developed and managed the Ashesi Venture Incubator COVID Relief Impact Project: a collaborative effort to mitigate the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic in her community. Previously, as a Programs Manager for The BEIGE Foundation, she managed fifteen projects promoting and advocating for education, youth development, entrepreneurship, gender issues, financial literacy, and environmental sustainability. The BEIGE Foundation celebrated Natasha with the Youth Excellence League Award for her exceptional contribution to her organization and community in 2018. She has developed a lifelong urge to work on the fringes of social development, gaining leadership skills and exceptional expertise to run projects from inception to completion. She is a change agent, driving change in Africa.

Millicent Sarfo is a confident, well-organized person with over 6 years’ experience in the telecommunication, management and administrative sectors. Mimi has extensive experience in supporting mid and senior-level managers by providing them with consistent administrative support. Mimi is a highly approachable individual with a pleasant attitude and a willingness to make a positive mark. She demonstrates her ability to maintain workflow of the office by ensuring that systems are running appropriately, organizing and scheduling appointments, and planning meeting details. Additionally, Mimi develops and maintains filing systems following her company’s established procedures and protocols, liaises between different departments, and acts as a sole point of contact for both external and internal agencies and clients. She has excellent communications skills honed over the years from interacting with customers, partners, and management; strong management and customer relationship skills; and a sharp eye for detail. Mimi manages the company clients’ accounts across the continent and ensures timely resolution of issues. She successfully brought on various board vendors, making the supplies system 60% more efficient than before. Mimi is also a peer educator volunteer for youth development and an entrepreneur in her local community. Mimi shows commitment to the young women in her community by organizing trainings on handiwork, catering, and administrative skills. Her passion for development led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Development Management, which she is currently undertaking. Mimi loves to touch lives and is motivated by her passion-driven heart to make a change anywhere she finds herself.

Elijah has seven years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Passionate about driving positive social change, Elijah is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of community-based nonprofit organization- Help Change Ghana which works to empower communities to take proactive actions to reduce litter, indiscriminate dumping of waste and undertake beautification projects such as tree planting. His most significant professional accomplishment with this organization is the design and launch of the Community Litter Prevention initiative which trained and developed skills of 300 volunteers through a train the trainer model in 2014. The initiative has since reached over 30,000 individuals in nine communities with information on litter prevention techniques. Additionally, he coordinated conservation education programs in community schools which increased formation of Eco-clubs to ninety-six as at March 2019. Elijah’s efforts have been tremendous in rekindling grassroots support in keeping clean communities and conserving nature. Previously, he worked with the National Disaster Management Organization where he coordinated a team which administered support for flood displaced victims in rural Accra. Also, he volunteered with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in public cleanup events such as the National Sanitation Initiative. Through these experiences, he has developed skills in project planning and implementation, leadership development, training and capacity building. Elijah has strong desire for leadership development, entrepreneurship and community empowerment.

Host Organization: Keep America Beautiful

Role at Keep America Beautiful: At Keep America Beautiful, Elijah will work with the Programs Director to execute Keep America Beautiful’s signature programs focused on cigarette litter prevention and community beautification. He will execute a grant program, market the programs to their affiliates and a broader audience, help execute an educational campaign and research potential new sponsors.

Yaw has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from the Catholic University of Ghana and is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Governance and Sustainable Development at the University of Cape Coast. In 2006, Yaw worked at the Ghana Education Service, where he trained personnel in educational software applications and managed a database of 2,000 students. Additionally, Yaw managed skills training programs in basic computing and auto-diagnostics at Suame Magazine, an industrial cluster of 200,000 artisans engaged in vehicle repair, metal casting, welding and fabrication in Kumasi, while facilitating strategic collaborations among the private sector, academia, and government to strengthen skills and business development initiatives. As SpanAfrica’s Regional Director for Ghana, Yaw coordinates programs to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s). Yaw is a member of the Pan-African Competitiveness Forum (PACF), which works to strengthen the competitiveness of African countries through shared best practices and efficient cluster management.rs of experience in the nonprofit sector and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from the Catholic University of Ghana and is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Governance and Sustainable Development at the University of Cape Coast. In 2006, Yaw worked at the Ghana Education Service, where he trained personnel in educational software applications and managed a database of 2,000 students. Additionally, Yaw managed skills training programs in basic computing and auto-diagnostics at Suame Magazine, an industrial cluster of 200,000 artisans engaged in vehicle repair, metal casting, welding and fabrication in Kumasi, while facilitating strategic collaborations among the private sector, academia, and government to strengthen skills and business development initiatives. As SpanAfrica’s Regional Director for Ghana, Yaw coordinates programs to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s). Yaw is a member of the Pan-African Competitiveness Forum (PACF), which works to strengthen the competitiveness of African countries through shared best practices and efficient cluster management.

Host Organization: CentroNia

Abrefa has three years of professional experience and 12 years voluntary experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. While working as a Monitoring and Evaluation officer with SABRE Trust in Ghana under the DFID and Comic Relief-funded FTTT program, he helped improve the educational outcomes for early primary school children in some selected districts of the Western and Central region of Ghana. Abrefa is the Co-Founder Director of a community-based youth-led organization called Young Achievers Caucus and has since 2012 contributed his effort immensely to help improve the standard of living of children living in deprived communities through community outreach programs, with the main aim of providing sexual and reproductive health education to the youth to help curb the menace of teen pregnancy. Additionally, he runs an initiative (Adolescent Sexual Health Initiative) that focuses on helping teenagers in communities to better understand their sexuality and make informed choices to leave safe, healthy and productive lives. Through these experiences, he has acquired skills in monitoring and evaluation, managing project data and other administrative duties. Abrefa through volunteering and as a co-founder has acquired strong project planning, coordination and implementation skills especially at the grassroots level. Abrefa has a strong passion for community and child development.

Host Organization : World Reader

Role at Host Organization : Abrefa will be responsible for developing monitoring tools, such as surveys, reading assessments and electronic data collection templates; data analysis and visualization; reviewing, editing and providing guidelines for the collection impact stories and lessons learned from the field. He will also ensure that data storage systems, records and files are setup and support training for staff, enumerators and partners as required on data collection and monitoring as required; and support internal & external communication of lessons learnt and best practices.

Donna has over three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She earned a Master of Arts in International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in French and Psychology both from the University of Ghana. Her Masters’ dissertation focused on, “The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 on Sexual Violence against Women: Prospects and challenges.” Currently a Program Assistant at the UNESCO Office in Accra, Donna provides support in the implementation of program activities in areas of social science research capacity development; climate change and migration; and youth civic engagement. In partnership with a colleague, she has prepared a background research paper on the nexus between climate change and migration. She has also been engaged in an assignment to map and assess national youth policies in Sub Saharan Africa. While still at UNESCO, Donna worked on a volunteer assignment for UNFPA on engaging men and boys to prevent gender-based violence. Through her work experience, Donna has developed good writing, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation skills. Her areas of particular interest are gender equality and youth development.

Host Organization : PYXERA Global