The Making of an Influential Women and Youth Advocate: An Intern’s Story

The Making of an Influential Women and Youth Advocate: An Intern’s Story

“Your voice is far reaching than your vision, so never let it be silent”. These are the words that were drumming in her ears in the middle of 2020. As COVID-19 struck and ravaged Ghanaians including vulnerable groups such as women and youth, she could not help but develop a growing desire to find ways to develop the skills needed to be at the fore front of advocacy efforts to create a more resilient a society that can be more prepared to face such tumults in the future.

These words however remained too galactic for her to understand. She knew those words were not spewed in isolation; they were probably signals her heart sent to her mind. Yet the desire to make a difference and make her voice heard just would not synchronise with what it takes to make it happen.

Nonetheless, she kept the passion in burning in her heart and continued her job hunt. Then out of the blue, WACSI’s Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP)? Call for applications (January-June 2021)? It was in the last quarter of the year that she stumbled on this. “Could my days of sleepless nights be about to pay off?” She quizzed. She remained focused and garnered her zest to give the best shot at this rare opportunity after scanning through the call.

With the ambition of every sharp, ambitious job seeking youth of this generation, she exclaimed; “But I want a permanent job, not an unpaid internship!”

In a country where graduate unemployment is rife, your last bet would be an internship. However, it seems this should rather be the first bet. Such could be the rare opening of a tunnel where you glean a few rays of hope at the end of the tunnel. Try one, it may just be the ‘magic-wand-like’ opportunity you were looking for.

The Ghanaian job market is shrinking faster than the tolerance/space given for citizens to freely express their disgruntled views against respective governments across West Africa. With very limited opportunities, the many unemployed and underemployed youths are ready to serve in any capacity to secure a job. Many a young people, have been duped by unscrupulous individuals in the process, while others have been compelled to pursue higher learning to increase their chances of landing one.  In a rather melancholic tone, she reflects on the mishaps of some of her female friends who have been lured and or deceived to migrate to the Middle East in search for greener pastures, only to meet their doom. Sad as that may sound, that is conversation for another day.

In these challenging circumstances, when the search for the ‘ideal’ job crowds our minds, an internship is usually the last option people take. And when many do dare to take such opportunities, they are filled with the hope that the organisation would recruit them when they are done with the internship.

So, with zero enthusiasm, this young lady applied for the NGIP to serve as a Policy Influencing and Advocacy Intern. When she was selected, she defied her friends and family’s opinions on doing an unpaid internship after completing a Masters’ Programme in International Affairs. More interesting is the fact that she was clueless about the wealth of exposure and training that awaited her at WACSI. After a brief session at her first staff meeting on her first day at work, she was still very skeptical that she had made a good decision. Little did she know that her career was about to gain a frog lift!

It has been 3 months into her journey, and Angela Apedoh, has a lot to share already. With determination burning inside her and observation as her vital learning tool, she quickly noticed how diligently every unit in WACSI carries out their daily tasks. Another thing that spurred her on were the words of her Unit Head.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are an intern, you can make your voice to be heard. This is what we do as advocates,’’ Omolara Balogun, the highly charismatic advocate shared with her.

The words resonated with her inner sensibilities. They very much aligned with the thoughts she harboured when her country was going through its worst share of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Working on almost every assignment in her unit, she begun learning the policy and practice of advocacy, and more generally, her understanding of the dynamics of the civil society sector and the special role of advocacy in strengthening the third sector, became clearer.

Furthermore, as part of the internship programme, she undertook a series of well-structured and insightful training sessions tailored to harness both the soft and hard professional and personal skills of interns. These included sessions on leaderships, the use of technology tools to facilitate work in a fast-evolving world, project management, CV writing and interview skills, blog writing, among others.

“I have never seen such a structured internship programme as is delivered at WACSI”, her ever thinking mind pondered.

On a professional level, Angela has learnt to be more proactive in her approach to work. She is gradually expanding her professional network and she cherishes the diversity WACSI’s multicultural working environment offers.

Now, more than ever, she believes her stint with WACSI is equipping her with the right skills set and tools needed to make noticeable contributions for strengthening the resilience of women and other vulnerable groups in these precarious times.

Regarding what she makes of all this, Angela is quick to add, one of the lessons this life transforming journey has taught her is the fact that “in life, if you do not get what you want, make the best of what you get.” She therefore recommends the Next Generation Internship Programme to all young people who need a good head start to their professional lives.

 

Are you ready to be part of the next cohort?

Write to info@wacsi.org for more information.

NB:  Angela wrote this article after taking part in a session that guided interns on how to write blogs and commentaries.

 

About the author

Angela is bilingual (English and French) with strong communication and research skills. Passionate about International Development and Diplomacy, Angela obtained a master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the University of Ghana. She also has a keen interest in women and youth empowerment and hopes to establish a mentorship and empowerment centre for young women in Ghana.

At WACSI, Angela supports the Policy Influencing and Advocacy Unit to drive change in West Africa through policy influencing and advocacy in areas of civic space, women and youth leadership and civil society sustainability.

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Angela Akofa Apedoh

Angela is bilingual (English and French) with strong communication and research skills. Passionate about International Development and Diplomacy, Angela obtained a master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the University of Ghana. She also has a keen interest in women and youth empowerment and hopes to establish a mentorship and empowerment centre for young women in Ghana. At WACSI, Angela supports the Policy Influencing and Advocacy Unit to drive change in West Africa through policy influencing and advocacy in areas of civic space, women and youth leadership and civil society sustainability.

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FIIFI BOATENG

Fiifi is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Communications and Information Officer at the West Africa Civil Society Institute. He joined the Institute in December 2020.

NANCY KANKAM KUSI

Nancy is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Programme Officer in the Knowledge Management unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute. She joined the Institute in January 2021.

AGNES ADWOA ANIMA

Agnes is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Head of the Administration unit in the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in October 2021.

DORIS ODEI

Doris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social sciences (Economics and Sociology) from the University of Cape Coast. She is passionate about impacting young lives hence co-founded Impart Foundation. A non-profit organization which seeks to empower young lives through education, technology and entrepreneurship.

PRINCE AKOWUAH

Prince Akowuah is a Ghanaian and currently the Programme Assistant in the Translation Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

MAXWELL APENTENG

Maxwell Apenteng is a Ghanaian and joined WACSI in September 2010. He provides gardening and janitorial services at the Institute.

GEORGE ADU-MINTAH

George Adu-Mintah is a Ghanaian and currently the Protocol Assistant/Driver at the West Africa Civil Society (WACSI). He joined the Institute in October 2006.

IBRAHIM KWAKU GBADAGO

Ibrahim Kwaku Gbadago is a Ghanaian. He joined the Institute in 2008 and provides janitorial services and assisting the institute's errands. Before joining the Institute, he worked at the Palestinian embassy in Accra, Ghana.

RUTH YAKANA

Ruth Yakana is from Cameroon and currently the Receptionist at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

BETHEL KWAME BOATENG

Bethel is a Ghanaian. He provides technical and IT related support to the Institute. He joined the Institute in October 2006.

WHITNAY SEGNONNA

Whitnay Segnonna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Management from the University of Benin. With 2 years of experience, she has a strong knowledge of organizational and project management. Combined with her bilingualism, she is very passionate about her work. She joined WACSI as Project Assistant on Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Capacity Development Unit.

STELLA YAWA WOWOUI

Stella Yawa Wowoui holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Translation Studies. She has a perfect grasp of both French and English, as well as an intermediate level in Spanish. She is currently working as a Project Assistant on the Techsoup Project.

KWAME ASANTE

Kwame is an experienced IT Consultant/Software Developer. He is skilled in Web Applications Development, Digital Security, Database Management, Digital Marketing and Brand Management. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and is a Microsoft Programme Alumni. He is currently serving as a Marketing and IT Officer on the Techsoup Project.

GRACE AKPENE ZIGGAH

Grace Akpene Ziggah is a Togolese and currently the Logistics Officer and also assists in administration duties at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in June 2009.

LILLIAN DAFEAMEKPOR

Lilian Dafeamekpor is a Ghanaian and currently the Assistant to the Executive Director at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

JOHN P. FRINJUAH

John P. Frinjuah has expertise and interests in civil society, international development, democracy and governance, conflict, crisis, and security. He has extensive experience working with civil society and international development organizations where he supported and managed research, programmes, and provided technical assistance on a variety of themes around public policy, governance, and development. He is an alumnus of the University of Ghana and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy - Tufts University in the United States, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from two institutions respectively. John speaks English, French and several Ghanaian and regional West Africa languages.

GERVIN CHANASE

Gervin has extensive international development experience, including 5 years of policy advocacy and capacity building of grass root organisations. He has implemented over the years a combination of agriculture value chain, livelihood, food security and governance and rights programmes.
Prior to joining WACSI, Gervin worked on two USAID projects focusing on agriculture value chain development and governance in northern Ghana
Gervin holds a master’s degree in development & Governance from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany as well as a Masters in Global Studies from the Universities of Vienna (Austria), Leipzig (Germany) and California (Santa Barbara), USA. He is passionate social justice and inclusion.

LEANDRE BANON

Leandre Banon, Beninese, joined WACSI in September 2014 as Capacity Development Programme Assistant. Since then, he has worked in various units within the Institute to support operational and institutional capacity strengthening programmes for civil society in the region. Currently serving as Capacity Development Programme Officer at WACSI, his main responsibilities involve designing, planning, implementing and monitoring capacity development programmes for civil society constituents and grouping across the West Africa. Leandre is a certified Change the Game Academy Programme Trainer. His background lies in the areas of economics and development planning.

SAMUEL APPIAH

Samuel Appiah is a Ghanaian and currently the Programme Officer in the Finance and Administrative Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He joined the Institute in May, 2016.

JIMM CHICK FOMUNJONG

Jimm Chick Fomunjong, Cameroonian, joined WACSI in May 2018 as the Head of the Knowledge Management and Communication Units of the Institute. He has over ten years’ experience as a journalist and a development communications expert. He has a vast experience in supporting African organisations to strengthen their internal and external communications, building and sustaining relationships with the media and, leveraging on the power of social media to promote their mission. He is also excellent at supporting organisations to set up and operationalise functional communications and knowledge management systems. He has a deep passion and expertise in supporting Africans and African civil society organisations to document their praxis, share and learn from experiences documented from the African civil society sector.

FRANCK A. SOMBO

Franck Sombo is a development practitioner with the drive to lead self and others to influence productivity and efficiency. His work involves supporting organisations to develop strategic plans, design monitoring and evaluation systems, develop and use relevant performance measurement tools to track progress, assess organizational growth and institutionalise learning. Franck has eight years of experience working with WACSI where he currently serves as the Head, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. His academic qualifications include Masters in Organisations’ and Projects’ Management, and in Business Sciences and a High National Diploma in Finance and Accounting.

Franck is a Fellow of the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) and a graduate of the Graduate Training Institute (GTI) - Ghana with specialization in Strategic Management and Corporate Leadership. He has a rich experience in Project Management, Capacity Development, Strategic planning, Data Analytics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Training and Facilitation, Mentoring and Coaching among others.

OMOLARA T. BALOGUN

Omolara is a development practitioner and advocacy strategist with over 15 years of progressive experience in development programming targeted at strengthening civil society in West Africa.

She joined WACSI in November 2009 as a Regional Advocacy Consultant and later became the first Policy Advocacy Officer of the Institute in 2010.

She was promoted to Head of the Policy Influencing and Advocacy (PIA) Unit in 2015. As the Head of the PIA unit, Omolara offers strategic direction to the Institutes’ ambitions to connect and convene groups of organised and organic civil society actors; and influence regional and global discourses on crosscutting policy issues including—civil society regulations, sustainable development goals, civic space and enabling environment, aid effectiveness, gender equality, and civil society accountability.

Previously, Omolara served as a Programmes Associate with the Women in Peace and Security Network-Africa (WIPSEN-Africa), where she worked with her team to design and implement pan-African programmes on—multidimensional peace support operations and gender mainstreaming in security sector reform in Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

She also served as a Service Development Marshal at TVQ Consulting Group, a customer service firm focused on designing strategic customer relationship and business growth plans for private and public financial institutions in Nigeria.

Omolara is a social justice advocate, a network weaver, and a convener. She has a postgraduate degree in Peace and Conflict Studies; a degree in International Relations and History, from the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria respectively.

She also holds executive certificates in Behavioral Science in Public Policy from Harvard University Executive Education in Cambridge and in Citizen Advocacy from the Coady International Institute, St Francis Xavier University in Canada.

KWABENA KRODUAH

Kwabena Kroduah is a Ghanaian and currently heads the Finance Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He joined the Institute in January 2008.

CHARLES KOJO VANDYCK

Charles currently serves as the Head of the Capacity Development Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). Charles has over 10 years of experience working in international development and social justice issues in Africa. Charles has expertise in strengthening civil society and public agencies including the design and implementation of governance and leadership programmes, development of knowledge pieces and policy advice. Charles was the founding Board Chair of Innovation for Change (i4C)-Hub Afrique, as well as the founding member of the International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon), an initiative of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC. Charles currently serves as the Member of the Governing Board (Coordination Collective) of Africans Rising. He is a Member of the Development Studies Association, United Kingdom. Charles is a 2017 Stanford University Fellow for Nonprofit Leaders and a certified Change the Game Resource Mobilisation Trainer.

NANA ASANTEWA AFADZINU

Nana Afadzinu is a Ghanaian and currently serves as the Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in October 2010.