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“You Have WACSI’s DNA in You. Excellence Is the Minimum Standard. Go Out There and Make Us Proud,” WACSI Executive Director Charges Graduating Interns 

August 4, 2026 In Newsroom By

“You Have WACSI’s DNA in You. Excellence Is the Minimum Standard. Go Out There and Make Us Proud,” WACSI Executive Director Charges Graduating Interns 

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[Accra, Ghana, 20 July 2026] – The Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Dr Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, has challenged the first cohort of the institute’s 2026 Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) to uphold excellence and serve as ambassadors of WACSI as they embark on the next phase of their professional journeys. 

Addressing the graduates during their farewell ceremony 0n 26 June 2026 at the institute’s regional headquarters in Accra Ghana, Dr Afadzinu reminded them that completing the internship marked the beginning of a lifelong responsibility to champion the values they had acquired at WACSI. 

“You have WACSI’s DNA in you. Our mantra is ‘Excellence is the minimum standard.’ Go out there and make us proud,” she said.

Dr Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, Execuitve Director, WACSI

She encouraged the interns to carry the Institute’s values into every organisation and community they serve, stressing that Africa’s development depends on ethical, competent, and purpose driven leaders who are committed to strengthening civil society and advancing inclusive development. 

Her remarks captured the essence of WACSI’s Next Generation Internship Programme, which is designed not only to build technical competencies but also to nurture the leadership, professionalism, and values needed to drive positive change across the continent. 

The graduating cohort comprised Frances Carvalho from Guinea-Bissau, Issa Garango from Côte d’Ivoire, Zainab Kadiatu Sesay from Sierra Leone, and Bridget Abiem from Nigeria.  

Over six months, they were attached to WACSI’s Policy Influencing and Advocacy Unit, Capacity Development Unit, Knowledge Management Unit, and WACSI Node Nigeria, where they contributed to the Institute’s programmes while gaining practical experience in research, policy influencing and advocacy, capacity development, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, proposal development, and programme implementation. 

Frances Carvalho, Issa Garango, Zainab

The interns also supported WACSI’s flagship Civic Space Resource Hub (CSR Hub) trainings, gaining first hand experience in designing and delivering capacity strengthening interventions for civil society organisations across West Africa. Their practical assignments were complemented by structured mentorship, in-house learning sessions, and coaching that strengthened their leadership, communication, analytical, and professional skills. 

Reflecting on her experience, Frances Carvalho, who was attached to the Policy Influencing and Advocacy Unit, described the programme as a transformative opportunity that significantly enhanced her confidence and professional abilities. 

“Before joining WACSI, I had limited experience in organisational writing and preparing official documents. Through the NGIP, I developed the confidence and ability to write policy briefs, articles, and project reports.” 

She also highlighted the opportunity to support the coordination of one of WACSI’s CSR Hub trainings in Tamale, Ghana, noting that the experience strengthened both her technical and organisational skills.

Encouraging other young professionals to apply, Frances added: 

“The NGIP bridges the gap between academic learning and the workplace by providing practical experience, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities that build both technical skills and professional confidence.” 

For Zainab Kadiatu Sesay, who served with the Knowledge Management Unit, the internship offered much more than technical experience. 

“My experience at WACSI has been both enriching and impactful. The trainings, in house learning sessions and practical assignments greatly enhanced my professional development and prepared me for the workplace.” 

She credited the programme with strengthening her skills in research, article writing, facilitation, programme management, survey design, data collection, and data analysis. 

One lesson from the programme continues to shape her outlook. 

“WACSI has plenty to eat; it depends on how hungry you are.”


She explained that the statement reminded her that growth depends on an individual’s willingness to embrace opportunities, remain curious, and take initiative. 

“If you are eager to grow professionally, build practical skills, and gain meaningful experience, the NGIP is an opportunity worth pursuing.” 

The farewell ceremony also featured an emotional reflection from Bridget Abiem, who was attached to WACSI Node Nigeria. Looking back on her six-month journey, she described the experience as one that transformed not only her professional abilities but also her character. 

“I came to WACSI hoping to build my résumé. Instead, WACSI helped build my character. I came hoping to gain experience. I leave with purpose.” 

She described WACSI as “a classroom, a training ground, a family, and a place where I was constantly challenged to become a better version of myself.”

For Garango, … 

Since its inception in 2005, WACSI’s Next Generation Internship Programme has supported 89 young professionals from 18 African countries, comprising 49 women and 40 men. Through practical learning, mentorship, and meaningful engagement in institutional work, the programme continues to build a pipeline of emerging leaders who are making significant contributions to civil society, governance, philanthropy, and international development across Africa. 

As the first cohort of 2026 concludes its journey, the graduates leave WACSI not only with enhanced technical competencies but also with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. Guided by the Institute’s enduring commitment to excellence, they now join a growing network of alumni who are helping to strengthen civic action and shape a more inclusive and resilient future for Africa. 

 

 

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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.

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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.

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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
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SAMUEL APPIAH

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OMOLARA T. BALOGUN

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

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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.

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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.

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