Four Trained Under WACSI’s Next Generation Internship Programme
Four graduates from three African countries have received training under the Next Generation Internship (NGI) Programme, a flagship mentoring initiative of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI).
The NGI aims at developing leadership potentials and careers of the next generation of African leaders and civic actors who are poised to contribute to the socio-economic and political development of the continent.
The programme primarily targets young Africans, specifically fresh graduates, or early career professionals, seeking a place to develop their skills to excel in the world of work.
The interns were the first cohort for 2022 and it was such a nostalgic experience listening to them speak about how the programme has shaped their skills and prepared them to be effective leaders as they go into the world of work.
The trainees, Georgette Kponvi (Togo), Elise Beude (Cote d’Ivoire), Adelaide Tetteh (Ghana) and Samira Seidu (Ghana) shared these experiences at a graduation ceremony held at the institute’s office in Accra.
Adelaide Tetteh recounted how the programme made her appreciate the role civil society organisations (CSOs) played in national development and expressed excitement for having had the opportunity to be a part of the WACSI family.
“Hitherto joining the internship programme, I had no idea of the role civil society organisations play and even how they work,” she said.
For Georgette Kponvi, “interning in a multi-lingual work environment, “is a good career start.” She commended WACSI for rolling out the internship programme and for encouraging diversity.
Elise Beude appreciated the collaborative approach by which the institute worked throughout the internship programme.
Samira Seidu, a graduate in law, commended the staff of the Institute for providing mentorship and guidance throughout the six-month training.
The training covered project monitoring, evaluation and learning, civil society communications management, knowledge management, basic information technology skills, drafting and managing capacity development programmes, report writing and policy influencing.
The Executive Director of WACSI, Nana Asantewa Afadzinu applauded the interns for making good use of the opportunity given them and charged them to apply the skills they had acquired to make a difference wherever they found themselves while supporting civic consciousness.
66 young Africans have benefited from this initiative since inception with many of these beneficiaries excelling at their jobs thereafter.
Interns received certificates for participating in the six-month training and some gifts from management of the Institute.
