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

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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.

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