Accra: Eight young Ghanaian women will spend the year shadowing High Commissioners, Ambassadors and Chief Executive Officers as the 2026 winners of the Ambassador for a Day (AfD) competition, an annual leadership and mentoring programme open to young women aged 18 to 24.
According to Ghana Web, the winners, selected from several applicants, will each be paired with a mentor and given direct exposure to decision-making in diplomacy, business, and public life. Now in its fifth year, the competition marks the first time that AfD has expanded to include four Heads of Diplomatic Missions and four female corporate leaders.
Despite its name, Ambassador for a Day is a year-long programme in Ghana. Mentors will work with their mentees throughout 2026, identifying opportunities for shadowing, speaking engagements, and participation in high-level meetings. All eight finalists will also engage in structured capacity-building sessions covering public speaking, women's rights advocacy, digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and safeguarding.
Winners will visit institutions including the Ministry of Gender, the University of Ghana, and women-led businesses to gain firsthand insight into the operations of these institutions. They will also receive mentorship sessions from female leaders in the media space during a field visit to the EIB Network.
Announcing the winners for the 2026 cohort, Dr. Christian Rogg, British High Commissioner, stated that the programme provides young women with the necessary access to leadership roles, allowing them to connect with people who can guide them through the complexities of senior leadership. The initiative aims to leave young women with stronger networks, clearer ambitions, and the confidence to pursue opportunities they might otherwise overlook.
Ibtisam Sualisu, one of the 2026 AfD winners, expressed that the experience will help her amplify her voice as a young Ghanaian and connect with leaders advancing gender equality and sustainable development. On the theme, Ibtisam pointed out that 'Give to Gain' encourages individuals to look beyond personal interests, fostering community development.
Women remain underrepresented at every level of decision-making in Ghana and globally. Ambassador for a Day addresses this by providing young women practical exposure to leadership spaces and pairing them with senior mentors to build networks and confidence.
The initiative concludes activities marking the British High Commission Gender and Equalities Month 2026 and supports progress towards SDG 5 on gender equality. An Awards Ceremony and Mentorship Workshop will take place on 22 April at the British High Commissioner's Residence, where winners will meet their mentors for the first time. The programme will run through to December, closing with a reflection brunch at the Residence during the 16 Days of Activism.
All activities will occur in safe, vetted locations, with designated safeguarding leads present. Parental or guardian consent is required for all participants, and mentor organisations have confirmed appropriate safeguarding mechanisms are in place. The British High Commission thanks the mentors and partner organisations supporting Ambassador for a Day 2026.