The U.S. Embassy is proud to announce the selection of thirty-two young Ghanaian leaders for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF). This year’s cohort is among one of the most diverse groups yet with significant representation from the Northern part of Ghana. The Fellows come from a variety and range of fields, focused on health, climate change, combatting gender-based violence and child labor, supporting the agricultural sector and STEM, and strengthening the business sector.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and local community engagement. YALI, the U.S. government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders, supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State, designed and managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and implemented by IREX. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024.
“I want to emphasize the reason behind the U.S. investment in Ghana’s – and Africa’s youth. Sub-Saharan Africa is a major force for the future and in the next couple of years, virtually half the population will be under the age of 25, and by 2050, one of four people on this planet will be from Africa. The role of people-to-people exchanges is an important part of the rich and historical U.S.-Ghana partnership. Our partnership extends well beyond government, to include civil society and NGOs, the private sector, and citizens more broadly.” said U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia E. Palmer at a reception for this year’s cohort.
The 32 fellows from Ghana were selected from over 3,000 applications received by U.S. Embassy Ghana. They will be part of a group of 700 Mandela Washington Fellows hosted at 28 educational institutions across the United States. Fellows were selected from a pool of over 50,000 applications submitted across the continent.
“I expect this cohort to continue the trend of promoting innovation and making a positive impact in your communities and Ghana long after you complete your six-week Fellowship in the United States.” Ambassador Palmer added.
When they return, the 2024 Ghanaian Mandela Washington Fellows will join the more than 3,500 strong U.S. exchange alumni network in Ghana. This network actively engages with U.S. and Ghanaian leaders to develop community-based solutions to public policy challenges, including in health, education, human rights, women’s empowerment, and other critical areas.
The 2024 Ghana Mandela Washington Fellows
Name
City-Region
Stephen Abane
Bolgatanga – Upper East
Maxwell Awaafo
Bolgatanga – Upper East
Abdul Majeed Alhassan
Kulungugu – Upper East
Augustine Yeboah
Wa – Upper West
Mohammed Hafiz Yahaya
Wa – Upper West
Dominic Akaateba
Wa – Upper West
Hamza Abdullah
Tamale – Northern
Fatima Issaka
Tamale – Northern
Blessila Kandoh
Tamale – Northern
Fatimata Yakubu
Tamale – Northern
Banasco Seidu
Sawla – Savannah
Adams Ewura Karim
Salaga – Savannah
Reagan Masud
Larabanga – Savannah
Huda Ibrahim
Techiman – Bono East
John Baptist Kabo-Bah
Sunyani – Bono
Aja Anatu Mohammed
Wenchi – Bono
Joseph Obeng-Asante
Chiraa – Bono
Philip Baba
Kumasi – Ashanti
Prince Agbata
Accra – Greater Accra
Isaac Brenya
Accra – Greater Accra
Brian Dzansi
Accra – Greater Accra
Richard Siaw
Accra – Greater Accra
Felix Appiah
Kpone – Greater Accra
Victor Loglo
Hohoe – Volta
Sophia Mensah Boduwah
Akosombo – Eastern
Luther Quarshie
Nankese – Eastern
Gifty Gyimah
Cape Coast – Central
Samuel Quansah
Cape Coast – Central
Daniel Amoah
Komenda – Central
Joycelyn Darkwah
Agona Swedru – Central
Francisca Hagan
Takoradi – Western
Lois Aubyn
Takoradi – Western
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ghana.