Tamale: The Northern Regional Programme Office of ActionAid Ghana, in collaboration with FORWARD UK and TuWezeshe Global, has officially launched a leadership programme designed to mentor and empower the next generation of women leaders in the country. Dubbed the 'TuWezeshe Akina Dada Leadership Programme', this initiative aims to nurture young female leaders to address gender-based violence and promote women's participation in decision-making at the community level.
According to Ghana News Agency, the programme targets young women between the ages of 18 and 35, focusing on building leadership capacity and strengthening grassroots activism. This is achieved through structured training, mentorship, self-care, and the implementation of community-based social action projects. The launch event also provided a platform for fellows from the first cohort, initiated last year, to share their experiences and projects, while offering mentors the opportunity to engage with the new cohort.
Madam Beatrice Yanman Biije, Northern Regional Manager of ActionAid Ghana, highlighted that the first cohort comprised 21 women, with a second cohort enrolling 23 women, indicating a growing interest in the programme. She emphasized that after intensive training, participants receive budgetary support to develop and implement projects in their communities, thereby encouraging women's participation in leadership and decision-making.
Madam Biije further explained that the programme ensures continuous support through mentorship, stating, "One key aspect of the programme is that after the training, we do not leave the fellows on their own. We provide them with mentors, who guide and support them to successfully implement their projects."
Madam Naana Otoo-Oyortey, Executive Director of FORWARD UK, provided background on the programme, explaining that it includes a residential feminist leadership training to equip young women with practical leadership skills. The training enhances participants' understanding of women's rights and gender-based violence while building their confidence, resilience, and capacity to become effective leaders and change-makers.
Madam Otoo-Oyortey noted that fellows become part of a country-specific fellowship network, enabling them to share ideas, collaborate on challenges, and strengthen solidarity. Miss Adamu Fuseini, a fellow from the first cohort, shared that the programme has positively impacted her career and leadership growth, enhancing her community engagement and skills in record-keeping and report-writing.
Miss Salma Wumpini Sumaila, a beneficiary of the second cohort, expressed that the training has awakened her feminist spirit and prepared her to implement a project on sexual and reproductive health rights.