Our Past Mentors

One of the most important components of our program is mentorship. We pair each of our Fellows with an inspiring female mentor from whom they receive guidance and professional and personal advice. The provision of successful female role models encourages our Fellows to set big goals for their programs and themselves. As one Fellow said, "being nurtured by someone who understands what you are going through to help you grow as a changemaker is an extremely valuable experience."

Brigitte Dzogbenuku

Brigitte Dzogbenuku is the mentor of Saudatu Danladi Mohamed. Brigitte is the Founder and Executive Director of Mentoring Women Ghana (MWG), which prepares young women for leadership through sports and mentorship opportunities. Her extensive knowledge of the importance of mentorship for Ghanaian women educators and entrepreneurs makes her a rich resource for the Fellows to learn from. Brigitte is also the 2020 flagbearer of the Progressive People’s Party of Ghana, passionate about improving Ghana’s primary education system and implementation of the reviewed 1992 constitution. In 1991, Brigitte won the Miss Ghana Beauty Contest, and has since served as a role model for women across Ghana and Africa as a whole. She thinks mentorship is important because women who are mentored are more likely to become mentors themselves, paying forward the investment made in them by empowering even more women to be successful leaders.

Muniratu Issifu is the mentor of Agnes Atanga. Muniratu is the Director of Partnerships at Plan International Ghana, prior to this, she was the Country Director for the Varkey Foundation in Ghana. She has over the past 18 years worked in the development sector and has contributed to the successful design and implementation of programs in diverse areas including education, local governance, water and sanitation and social protection. She currently oversees the implementation of Making Ghanaian Girls Great! (MGCubed) and Train for Tomorrow (T4T) projects using distance learning technology to facilitate girls’ education, personal growth and teacher professional development. With a Masters of Philosophy in Development Studies from the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana, Muniratu is prepared to offer guidance on a variety of subjects, including non-governmental work, education and technology. She thinks mentorship is important because it is a learning opportunity for both the mentee and the mentor to reflect on experiences and share valuable lessons for personal and career development.

Muniratu Issifu

Susan Adu-Aryee is the mentor of Grace Amponsah. She is the Country Director for World Education Inc. in Ghana, where she oversees the development and implementation of a wide array of projects including girls’ education. With over 24 years of experience in international development, program implementation, event planning, and staff management, Susan is passionate about innovation, women’s advancement and international organizations. She has deep experience with USAID-funded programs, DFID funded programs, International Red Cross funded projects, and collaborative projects with the public and private sectors, in addition to youth development, mentoring, and girls’ education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Given her experience in education, start-ups, and non-governmental organizations, Susan is prepared to offer essential guidance to her mentee. She thinks mentorship is important because it helps mentors think through productive guidance and motivates mentees to discover their life’s purpose in a flexible and unique way.

Susan Adu-Aryee

Eugenia Atami

Eugenia Atami is the mentor of Nimatu Siisu. As a Development Practitioner and consultant who has worked with various organizations including being the Ghana Project Coordinator for Coady International Institute, Eugenia is skilled in nonprofit organizations, policy analysis, proposal writing, and customer service. Having worked as the Program Manager for World Vision for 10 years, Eugenia has 17 years of experience in the education management industry. This strong background will make Eugenia an insightful guide for Nimatu, who is passionate about childhood education and mentoring. Eugenia thinks mentorship is important because it will help guide, direct and shape the ideas of Nimatu to achieve the objectives she has set for herself.

Lucy Aklaku

Lucy Aklaku is the mentor of Jennifer De-Graft Ninson. For the past 17 years, Lucy has been a Senior Program Coordinator at World Education Ghana. In this role, she facilitates trainings, provides technical assistance on the use of formal and non-formal experiential learning approaches for all projects, and provides expertise in the development of peer education programs and curriculum. She is passionate about individual transformations sparked by unique, participatory education methods. Lucy played a pivotal role in launching World Education’s Strategic Approaches to Girls Education (STAGE) program, which provides education to support marginalized girls in Ghana. Her rich background in girls’ education will make Lucy a valuable mentor and guide. She thinks mentorship is important because it OPENS MINDS, CHANGES MINDS, UNLOCKS OPPORTUNITIES!!!

Eugenia Tachie-Menson

Eugenia Tachie-Menson is the mentor to Saraswati Arthur. She is the Founder and CEO of Young Educators Foundation, 2014Vlisco Ambassador for Ghana, and the recipient of several awards and nominations for African women entrepreneurs. Eugenia believes that children are not only our future but also our present, and maintains that the “biggest risk in life is not taking one.” Her foundation tutors children between ages 8-18 in spelling and literacy techniques, training them to represent Ghana each year in various international competitions, including the Scripps National Spelling Bee. In 2018, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana recognised Eugenia’s “12 years of dedication and commitment to the education of our nation’s children through her work at Young Educators Foundation” in a Certificate of Recognition. Her organisation was also a finalist in the social category of the 2015 African Awards for Entrepreneurs. She thinks mentorship is important because, "it is a system that allows the young to see further by standing on the shoulders of the experienced”.

Patricia Formadi

Patricia Formadi is the mentor of Fatimah Hallu Alhassan. She is Founder and Director of New Dawn for Social Development, an NGO that promotes sustainable improvement in the lives of vulnerable children, youth and women. She acts as a catalyst, facilitator and an advocate for the desired result. Patricia is a Development Practitioner and a teacher with 39 years’ experience. She lectures in Gender and Development issues, Personal, and Family Resource Management at the University for Development Studies, Ghana. Having formerly been Executive Director of the Women and Development Project, Patricia has a rich background in Gender Mainstreaming, Financial Education/Literacy, Legal Awareness and Sexual and Reproductive Health Education/Rights. She is a board member of Aflatoun International representing the Anglophone African Region, Savana Signatures, an Organisation passionate about using Information & Communication Technology for development and a National Platform member of Prolinnova Ghana. Given her extensive experience in education, Patricia is an excellent role model and resource for her mentee. She thinks mentorship is important because it prepares the mentees to “carve a better path for the future”.