US Ambassador Virginia Palmer Advocates for Leadership Development at Mandela Washington Fellowship’s 10th Anniversary Conference
US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, emphasized investing in capacity building for visionary leaders as a strategic way to drive innovation and positively impact Ghanaian communities.
At the Mandela Washington Fellowship’s 10th Anniversary Conference in Accra, she noted that such investments are vital for enhancing the nation’s economic integrity and development.
Ambassador Palmer highlighted Africa’s potential, particularly its younger generation, and encouraged young leaders to leverage the country’s resources to foster prosperity, peace, and security.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, established in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State, brings young African leaders to the United States for academic and leadership training.
The program focuses on developing skills necessary for innovation, educational advancement, agricultural improvement, and the promotion of democratic governance and ethical leadership across Africa.
Over the past decade, the Fellowship has empowered a new generation of African leaders who have made notable contributions to their communities and the continent. The program not only promotes innovation but also addresses challenges such as misinformation and social media.
In her address, Ambassador Palmer highlighted the Fellowship’s achievements and stressed the importance of building confidence among young girls to strengthen democracy in Ghana.
Professor Fred McBagonluri, President of Academic City University College, delivered the keynote address, advocating for ethical and transformational leadership in African politics to promote industrialization and development.
Dr. Laud Anthony Basing, President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Association, Ghana Chapter, outlined the Fellowship’s objectives and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to helping students realize their full potential.
The conference, themed “A Decade of Excellence in Empowering African Leaders for Sustainable Change,” aims to address poverty and amplify marginalized voices in Ghana’s political landscape.
