The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Alumni Association Ghana (YAAG) has sworn in new executives to take the mantle of leadership for the noble yet prestigious youth association.
The colorful short event which took place at the Presidential Hall on GIMPA main campus witnessed the leadership of the YALI West Africa Regional Center, immediate past executives and some other dignitaries and the new executives. The handing over was after a peaceful and successful electoral process, which included nominations, vetting, and election.
The elected leaders are to keep together, coordinate and support the impact agenda of this noble community. The new executives for the 2021/2022 year are as follows: Elizabeth Ofori – President, Jennifer Addochoe Moffatt – Vice President, Adnan Adams Mohammed – Sustainability Chair, Maxwell Hubert Kusi – Outreach and Welfare Chair, Sarah Twum – Programs, Network and Events Chair and Stanley Smith-Acquaah – Communication.
“The journey ahead is long and may be rough, hard and muddy but I know, without a shadow of doubt that if we stick together, in mutual respect, solidarity and oneness of mind and action, we will get there” the new President, Miss Elizabeth Ofori said in her acceptance speech.
YALI Alumni, made up of selected emerging young leaders from across the country together with others selected from other countries who go through a 5-weeks United State of America and MasterCard sponsored training as emerging young leaders in Business, Public Administration and Civic leadership.
As part of its mandate to have a wider coverage and an all-inclusive alumni body, members who were unable to attend the in-person event had the opportunity to witnessed the ceremony virtually via zoom.
Dignitaries in attendance were Apostle Mary Obeng Ofori (Head Pastor, Danfa Branch – Christ Kingdom Salvation Pentecostal Church) was the Chairperson for the ceremony and Project Director at the YALI RLC Accra, Dr. Shola Safo-Duodu, Mr. James Anquandah and Madam Patricia Hayford.
Miss Asana Shanni Mahama, the immediate past President in her advice to the new executives stressed on the need for teamwork and to help continue the legacy of building a strong and vibrant alumni body in Ghana.
WHAT IS YALI?
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was launched by former President of the United States Barack Obama as a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. The need to invest in grooming strong, results-oriented leaders comes out of the statistics: nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60% of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35.
Who will empower and lead these young Africans? Who will shape the future of business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management? In order to answer these questions, YALI promotes three models designed to identify and empower young leaders: the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI Network, and the Regional Leadership Centers across Africa.
The four YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) provide in-person and online training throughout the year in business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership and public management. They also offer opportunities for professional development and networking.
YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) are located at higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa and offer leadership training programs to young leaders between the ages of 18 and 35. By providing in-person and online training, networking, and professional development opportunities, the RLCs serve as a place for regional collaboration driven by young leaders. The RLCs are a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in close partnership with The MasterCard Foundation and other private sector partners. Each center is managed as a public-private partnership.
There are four Regional Leadership Centers offering training throughout the year. In 2019, the RLCs established YALI Africa as a convening body to connect the Centers and serve as a central point for mobilizing resources and maintaining a unified mandate and vision. To learn more about the RLCs and how to apply for their programs, visit the websites below.