U.S. Embassy Ghana Celebrates Ten Years of the Mandela Washington Fellowship

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2024 Mandela Washington Fellows with Ambassador Virginia Palmer

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

 

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