Over 150 young leaders from 21 West African countries are set to convene in Accra, Ghana next week. The gathering is part of the first annual West Africa Regional Conference for Mandela Washington Fellows, organized by USAID and IREX. This event supports President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and will take place from April 26-28, 2015.
The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of individuals including tech and social entrepreneurs, public servants, human rights activists, lawyers, doctors, and youth activists. These participants are recognized for making significant changes in their home countries with the backing of USAID and IREX. Leaders from the private sector, U.S. Government, and international and local organizations will also be present.
Discussion topics at the conference will focus on entrepreneurship, growth sectors, inclusive development, energy, women in technology, and philanthropy in Africa. Among the event's speakers are Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education in Ghana; Chude Jideonwo, Founder of the Future Africa Project; Theo Sowa, CEO of the African Women’s Development Fund; Gene A. Cretz, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana; along with representatives from the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship brings 500 young African professionals to U.S. universities each year for six weeks of leadership training in business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership or public management. These fellows are chosen through a competitive process for this esteemed program aimed at nurturing future business CEOs, community leaders and public officials across Africa.
West African participants hail from various countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon among others.
USAID and IREX continue to support these fellows with professional development opportunities within Africa with assistance from the West Africa Civil Society Institute based in Accra. More information about the fellowship can be found on IREX's website. Participation in this conference is by invitation only.