The New Generation of Africa’s Women Leaders Arrive in Ghana
The 2012 MILEAD Fellows arrive in Ghana on Tuesday to begin an exceptional experience. The 28 Fellows between the ages of 19 and 25 were selected from over 1242 applicants for this year’s programme – The Fellows come from all across the continent, from Nigeria to Lesotho, Malawi to Sudan, as well as the diaspora in the Canada and USA. Each one is also actively leading change in critical areas including economic and environmental justice; women’s health and HIV/AIDS; community development; women’s political participation; education; and youth empowerment.
The MILEAD Fellows will be in Ghana from July 11th to August 1, 2012 to begin a three-week intensive leadership program hosted by the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon- Accra. It will enable the Fellows to cross-examine concepts of leadership in an extensive African context, cultivate the skills and experiences women need to occupy and excel in leadership positions, and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities
During their time in Ghana, Fellows will meet some of Ghana’s most eminent personalities, including His Excellency John Mahama, Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Esi Sutherland, Hon. Beatrice Bernice Boateng, MP for New Juabeng South, Hon. Juliana Azumah-Mensah, The Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs; Ms. Joyce Aryee and Ms. Comfort Ocran among others.
A fellow from Ghana, Ms. Nana Aba Adu-Mensah, had this to say about her expectations for the conference: “I’m hoping that at the end of the institute I will be equipped with knowledge, skills and values that will help me assist, not only the girls I teach, but women I meet everywhere to become leaders in their communities and wherever they find themselves, so that they can touch the world through their leadership’
The cohort will be mentored by experienced and accomplished women who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African leaders.
The 2012 MILEAD Fellows Institute holds great promise for them: academic learning, networking and Pan-African solidarity, mentoring by some of Africa’s most outstanding women leaders, combined with gaining cutting-edge skills and defining new personal and collective agenda for African women and their communities.
Fellows are available for media interviews during the course of the institute.
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About Moremi Initiative
Founded in 2004, The Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire, and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs, and change agents: leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate discrimination against women. We firmly believe that the full and active participation of women in leadership is a pre-requisite for positive change and development in Africa, and addresses the problem of leadership imbalances.
Key program partners include Junior Achievement International, Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSENAfrica), Institute of African Studies- University of Ghana, Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE), The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), The Global Fund for Women, OSI- International Women’s Program, and The Africa Group Consul, CXO-International, WILDAF among others.
Supported in part by a grant from Foundation Open Society Institute (Zug) and the Global Fund for Women.
For Media inquiries, contact Moremi Initiative: +233 242 901222 Email: info@moremiinitiative.org
