MILEAD
The MILEAD Fellows Program is a uniquely designed initiative committed to the long-term leadership development of selected Fellows. Every year since 2009, a diverse cohort of 25 exceptional young women between the ages of 19 and 25 years are selected from thousands of applicants based on their demonstrated commitment to community service, leadership potential, academic and extra-curricular achievement etc.
The year-long leadership development program starts with a 3-week intensive residential training in Accra where Fellows are provided with a platform to cross-examine concepts of leadership in a broad African context, cultivate the skills and experiences necessary to occupy and excel in leadership positions, and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities.
Participants in the program benefit from a combination of training and mentoring crafted to build skills, strengthen networks, and support women’s leadership on critical issues. Other functions of the program include linking determined young women with influential and seasoned African women leaders who are committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation. Most importantly, Fellows benefit from a lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network. The MILEAD Institute takes place annually from July to August in Ghana and affords Fellows the opportunity to learn and understand fundamental leadership concepts and build strong rapport with other Fellows.
After the Institute, each MILEAD Fellow is required to implement a community change (MiCHANGE) project as part of their participation in the program. To date, almost 230 MiCHANGE Projects representing the number of graduated Fellows, have been activated, positively impacting thousands of lives in communities across the continent.
Our distinguished speakers and trainers have come from diverse backgrounds in public and private sectors, academia and civil society. These include Mrs. Mary Robinson—former President of Ireland and United Nations Human Rights Commissioner, President Jerry Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufour of Ghana, Her Ladyship Mrs. Georgina Wood, Chief Justice of the Ghana, Nobel Peace Laureate Ms. Leymah Gbowee; Dr. Joyce Aryee– Former CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines and current Board Chair of Moremi Initiative; Hon. Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu- Ghana’s first female Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Samia Nkrumah– Ex-Chair, Convention People’s Party, Ms. Theo Sowa– CEO of African Women’s Development Fund; Herman Chinery-Hesse of SofTribe and Prof. Akosua Adomoko-Ampofo– Director, Institute of Africa Studies, University of Ghana among others.