Mentors meeting postponed

It’s come to my attention that we will need to reschedule our end of programme mentors meeting as Wednesday the 31st is a holiday. It will therefore now be held on Thursday the 1st of September. The time and will remain the same (3pm at Databank).

Hope you can all make it.

End of programme mentor's meeting

All too soon, the 2010/2011 Young Leaders Mentorship Programme is drawing to a close. It's been a good year. We learnt a lot from our mentors last year and were glad for their input in shaping the programme over the past year.

That said, I'd like to announce that we'll be having an end of programme meeting for mentors. We'd like you to share your experiences with us - the good and the bad - and let us know what you think we can do to change the Programme in order to make it even better for the next set of mentors.

The meeting will take place exactly two weeks from now, on Wednesday the 31st of August. It'll be held at Databank at 3pm and shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. So come along, we'd love to hear from you!

Also in the news, our YLMP Awards Day has been scheduled for the 23rd of September. Again it will be held at Databank but will start at 2.40pm. It's a time for us to say thank you for all your hard work. We'll be giving out certificates to all who took part and prizes to our best mentors and winners of the Mentees' Choice Awards. Mark it in your diary!

Mentor with the YLMP!!!

Yes it's that time of the year again, we're accepting mentor applications for the 2011/2012 Young Leaders Mentorship Programme. We have a number of exciting things in store for you this year!

Firstly, the YLMP will be operating in two schools this year; both Kinbu Secondary Technical School and Accra High School. Secondly, for the first time we're looking at opening up our mentoring opportunities to university students outside Ghana!

We're really looking forward to seeing where this will take us. However, we'll only run the e-mentor scheme if we have enough potential e-mentors for every group to have at least one. That's where we're going to need your input. If you're interested leave a comment here, on our Facebook page or tweet us @infoYLMP with the hashtag #YLMPementor.

We're really excited about this project and would love to launch it this year along with our regular mentoring programme. We'd also love to hear any suggestions you might have.

For more information about our programme and what we do, have a look at our About Us page. You can also scoot around this blog for details of our past activities and events. You'll be able to find more titbits on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Introducing this year's mentors!

We're all done with the selection process and our mentor training session was held yesterday. And so without further ado, here are our mentors for this year:

Senior Mentors

Adobea Akuffo

Dorothy L. Ametefe is an Equity Analyst who works in the Research department of Databank. She loves to socialise with people from different cultures and backgrounds and enjoys classical and jazz music.

Johnathan Kofi-Annan is currently doing a short course at GIMPA. He is a principled person who loves sports, especially football. In the future, he'd like to be an accountant or financial analyst.

Selasie Kwashie is in charge of Operations for DUES Desk. He believes that work should be done regardless of circumstances, and he doesn't give up on tasks assigned either by himself or as a result of job demands.

Wilhelm Nyako describes himself as friendly and dynamic. He works in the Research department at GMet (Ghana Meteorological Agency) as an Assistant Meteorologist. He is also a private tutor.

Kenneth Richardson is a final year student at Regent University College, who believes Sir Timothy Berners-Lee is his man of the century. He thinks bungee jumping is a really cool sport and is waiting for the day he'll have a go at it.

Aba Tetteh is a Systems Administrator at Dwadifo Adanfo, a microfinance company in Kaneshie. She likes to try anything out for the fun of it, so long as it doesn't go against her Christian beliefs.


Junior Mentors

Philip Alimo studies Business Administration at Ashesi University College. He is also a practicing sports journalist, analyst and presenter at GBC (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation). He says one hundred years from now, it will not matter what car he drove, what kind of house he lived in, how much money he had in his bank account or what his clothes looked like; but the world will be a little better because he was important in the life of a youth.

Sylvia Ampratwom is in her second year at Methodist University. She is studying Human resource Management. She describes herself as a friendly person who loves to help everyone. She enjoys watching movies and cartoons, reading and debating.

Nana Ama Andoh

John Asamoah is studying Political Science and Sociology at the University of Ghana. He is in his third year. He loves to make friends, and he enjoys comedy to the extreme.

Kofi Awuku-Sao is an energetic and motivated prodigy. He believes in integrity, humility, Christ-like leadership and excellence. He has a flair for reading and writing. He is passionate about the plight of the under-privileged in the society and seeks to work together with like-minded people to develop Africa. Kofi is currently a studying Business Administration at the University of Ghana. He hopes to redefine the insurance industry in Ghana and the skyline of West Africa, and enjoys playing basketball, meeting new people and sharing ideas.

Ernest Fokuo is currently in his third year at Regent University. He is studying for a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance with French. He like ministering to people and helping them reach their God-ordained purpose in life. He believes in the saying: "So many people talk about changing the world into a better place but no one wants to be that change". Ernest loves talking to people and influencing them positively to hit their purpose in life with self-confidence/motivation and creativity of the genius inside.

Dinah Hammond

Sally Kwesie

Kwame Ayeh Larbi describes himself as industrious and a good team player. He is in his third year at the University of Ghana studying Economics and Linguistics. He is the Vice Chairman of DUES and likes writing stories and directing.

Falilatu Lawal is in her third year at the University of Ghana, studying Political Science. Falilatu is a firm believer in hard work. She enjoys meeting new people and loves banku.

Godfred Nyaku is in his third year at Central University College studying Economics. He hopes to pursue a career in corporate law, but would also like to do a Masters in Health Economics. He enjoys listening to classical music and good jazz, and also likes football and basketball.

Nicholas Osuteye is in his penultimate year at the University of Ghana. He is studying Political Science. He likes research, learning about investment and believes integrity is an important value to hold.

Thelma Owusu-Abrokwa is studying Psychology. She's in her third year at Legon. She's a quiet person who loves music.

Sired Quaicoe

Susan Sasu studies Business Administration at Ashesi University. She is currently in her final year. She enjoys eating and helping people.

Gabriel Sika-Boafo is in his third year at the University of Ghana. He's studying Psychology and Linguistics. He is a talented dramatist and musician who plays many instruments and especially enjoys the keyboard.

Anthony Tawiah is a student/entrepreneur in his final year at Regent University College. He is studying Management with Computing. He is a passionate young person who has resolved not to be a victim of the system but to be part of a solution to create a positive impact on his generation. He lives as "a pilgrim not in control, a steward not an owner, and a soldier without security".

Samson Tingbani studies at the University of Ghana. He is an AIESECer, and is guided by the words "Live in the future but do not forget the past as those who forget the past are bound to repeat their mistakes".

To view profiles of our 2009/2010 mentors, click here.

Mentors: Come share your views!

As you all know, the Young Leaders Mentorship Programme for the 2009/2010 period has officially come to an end. Again, I'd like to say thank you to each of you for being such an integral part of our pilot programme. We're grateful for all your hard work. Now that we've come to the end of the Programme - especially given that this was a pilot programme - we are in the process of evaluating so that the next YLMP can be even more effective.

As part of this evaluation, Keli and the rest of the team would like to meet with you all to talk about your experiences and about any issues you think need to be addressed in order for the YLMP to continue to be a success. The meeting will take place on Thursday the 26th of August at 12pm in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Boardroom. We value your input and it would be great to see you all there. Given that the meeting is taking place at Databank, it is compulsory for all mentors (junior and senior) working at Databank to attend. For those of you that don't, we sincerely hope that you will be able to make it.

Looking forward to seeing you all (or most of you) on Thursday!

--Update-->
Just received word from Keli that lunch will be served, so here's an assignment for you - come on an empty stomach :)

News for mentors

This is a quick post to remind mentors that we're having a meeting this Monday. The meeting is for all junior and senior mentors, so please make it a point to be there. We're going to be deciding on the initiative we will implement to help encourage and motivate Kinbu students to read more. Please come ready to share your thoughts on which idea you think will be most effective and why. If you've not had a look at the ideas we came up with in our previous meeting, click here or refer to the minutes that were emailed to you on on Tuesday.

We will also be handing out sponsorship letters during this meeting so that we can kick-start the fundraising process. We have to raise over GH¢ 30,000 by the end of June at the latest - so we need to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Finally, due to the fact that most of you are busy with exams at this time, the deadline for submitting the Appraisal Forms has been extended until Friday 4th June**. Please ensure that you have completed them by then as the deadline cannot be extended past this date. If you have already completed some (or all) of the Forms, you can still bring them along to the meeting on Monday.

See you all then!


** Because this deadline has shifted, you'll need to arrange to discuss them with a member of the Foundation staff from the week beginning on the 7th of June. If, however, you have already completed the Appraisal Forms for all your mentees, you can arrange for a meeting prior to this date.

Plastic waste management: How you can help

The following is an article on plastic waste management written by Aba Tetteh, one of our senior mentors. Thanks for your contribution Aba!


When they first came in they were great. Thinking about convenience and affordability, we ignored the havoc it could also create: the Menace of Plastic.

Less than five years ago, the use of plastic was not the norm; now, you cannot buy anything without being given a plastic container or bag to put it in. It is important to note that despite the fact that plastics have made life easier for us in terms of being convenient and affordable, plastics do not disintegrate or decompose easily, and as a result we are battling with how to get rid of our plastic waste in an environmentally friendly way.

Here, I seek to illustrate some things we as individuals can do to manage our plastic waste. In the absence of a nationwide management of waste, we can reduce our plastic use by following simple principles of management.

As a nation, we need to learn how to sort out our refuse. Sorting makes it easier for waste management companies to pick up our waste and recycle it without having to pay extra for people to sort them out. Ghanaians are willing and able to dispose of rubbish in containers that are provided, and this is evident by the fact that when waste bins are packed with waste that have not been picked up, most people still go out of their way to cramp rubbish into the container. When we get into the habit of sorting out our waster materials, the two recycling companies we have operating in the Ghana, namely, Ghana Waste Recycling and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, will find it easier to pick up the sorted plastic waste. Getting people to adapt a habit is tedious especially if there is a lackadaisical attitude about it. It is a matter of principle, self-awareness and individual policing. In order for this change to take place, we will have to inculcate the habit of sorting our rubbish, starting in our schools and homes.

In the meantime, we can look at reducing our use of plastics by applying the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. How many times do you buy stuff from the market or while walking in town? How do you normally carry such an item or items? Is it in your handbag, carrier bag etc, anything reusable? Oh, here is a thought, you probably would buy a plastic bag or be given a plastic bag by the seller; this is what we would typically do. When we get home, we throw the plastic bag away without a second thought. How about instead of throwing that bag away, we fold it up and keep it stored away. Plastic bags vary in texture and durability. You can use the less durable bags to line your rubbish containers or for wrapping certain items. With the more durable plastic bags, you can reuse them as carrier bags. Remember to keep a carefully folded plastic bag in your handbag or wallet ready for use whenever you find that you need it. This bag can be used for about four or more times before being finally discarded.

YLMP says goodbye to Alieu Senghore

One of our senior mentors, Alieu Senghore, will be leaving us today. He will be going back to The Gambia next week. All at Databank Foundation and the YLMP would like to wish him the very best. Thank you so much for all your hard work Alieu!

Student Perspectives – Kinbu Library

A form two student, Elizabeth felt that the library was not an interesting place to be because the books were outmoded, and also not relevant for the courses they studied. She felt that if there were some new and interesting books in the library more students would be encouraged to read. She added that she sometimes spent her break periods in the library. She did mention that the library period had been taken from their time table this term.

Julien Kofie, a second year high school student said he never visited the library because he’d heard the library did not have the economics and geography textbooks he needed. He rather frequented the Ghana Library to study and conduct his research. He mentioned that he would visit the library often if the textbooks he needed was provided.

SHS3 Home Economics student Kafui admitted that she does not use the school library because the books are archaic. She stated that they do not have a library period any more. The last library period they had was when she was in SHS2. She says she would like to see books that are more relevant to her course in the library.

Written by Abena, David and Elinam.

Introducing this year's mentors!

Senior Mentors

Sophia Aboagye

 David Agbenyega is a Project Officer at Ghana Opportunity Network.He hates  mangoes and always has a tie in his bag. He is a proud Akora (alumni of Achimota  School).

Sampson Akligoh works in the Research department at Databank as an Economic Analyst.He thinks English football is boring and supports Barcelona. He enjoys riding bicycles in parks.

Adobea Akuffo

Dorothy L. Ametefe is an Equity Analyst who works in the Research department of Databank. She loves to socialise with people from different cultures and backgrounds and enjoys classical and jazz music.

Abena Asamoah-Okyere

Priscilla Asibey

Kofi Baidoo

Abena Biritwum is a Financial Analyst working in the Corporate Finance department of Databank.

Sally Debrah

Thomas Esso

Bismark Gyekye

Selasie Kwashie is in charge of Operations for DUES Desk. He believes that work should be done regardless of circumstances, and he doesn't give up on tasks assigned either by himself or as a result of job demands.

Joshua Mensah

Wilhelm Nyako describes himself as friendly and dynamic. He works in the Research department at GMet (Ghana Meteorological Agency) as an Assistant Meteorologist. He is also a private tutor.

Ben Opia-Mensah

 Alieu Senghore works as the Assistant Vice President of Databank's Corporate Finance  department. He was previously a financial analyst. He enjoys reading autobiographies, financial journals and history and political books. He is a football fan who plays once in a while.

Aba Tetteh is a Systems Administrator at Dwadifo Adanfo, a microfinance company in Kaneshie. She likes to try anything out for the fun of it, so long as it doesn't go against her Christian beliefs.

Junior Mentors

Bernard Agyeman

Jeffrey Akoamah

Philip Alimo studies Business Administration at Ashesi University College. He is also a practicing sports journalist, analyst and presenter at GBC (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation). He says one hundred years from now, it will not matter what car he drove, what kind of house he lived in, how much money he had in his bank account or what his clothes looked like; but the world will be a little better because he was important in the life of a youth.

Nana Ama Andoh

Jimmy Appiahene

Francis Arthur is studying HND Accountancy at Accra Polytechnic. He is in his final year. He is an Arsenal fan and is entrepreneurial minded.

Kofi Awuku-Sao is an energetic and motivated prodigy. He believes in integrity, humility, Christ-like leadership and excellence. He has a flair for reading and writing. He is passionate about the plight of the under-privileged in the society and seeks to work together with like-minded people to develop Africa. Kofi is currently a studying Business Administration at the University of Ghana. He hopes to redefine the insurance industry in Ghana and the skyline of West Africa, and enjoys playing basketball, meeting new people and sharing ideas.
Alberta Boateng

Clarissa Botchwey is currently studying English. She likes having fun, but she takes her work seriously.

Emmanuel Buabeng

Thomas Ewusi

Felix Fosu
Bridget Gbesemete

Gladys Gaisie is currently in her final year at Methodist University. She studies Accounting. She describes herself as a smart lady who gets along with everyone.

Rebecca Inkumsah is a Junior at Ashesi University College who aspires to be an International Financial Analyst and is a lot of fun to talk to. She loves to meet new people since she has grown up with the idea that 'variety is the spice of life'. She is always eager to meet and learn from new people. "AND don't forger guys", she says, "success is the ability to go from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm".

Mahmoud Jajah

Albert Kodjoe is studying Banking and Finance with Economics. He is a proactive person who is always looking for means by which to improve himself.

Paulina Kumah is at the end of her third year at Valley View University. She is studying Business Administration (Accounting). Paulina got involved with the YLMP because she loves kids and young people. She believes that to have the best future, a good foundation must be built from a young age. She loves Maths and Economics... and Jesus too!

Falilatu Lawal is in her third year at the University of Ghana, studying Political Science. Falilatu is a firm believer in hard work. She enjoys meeting new people and loves banku.

Ruth Lodo is studying Accounting at Methodist University. She's in her final year. She is always ready to learn new things and is happy to help others achieve their goals.

Russell Mensah

Nana Yaw Nketia

Peter Nomo

Peace Vidger

Godfred Nyaku

Nathaniel Oduro

Nana Akua Oppong

Nicholas Osuteye

Kwabena Owusu-Adjei
Francis Tetteh
Rachel Tutuani 
Deborah Sarpong

Kenneth Richardson  is a final year student at Regent University College, and can't believe he's about to finish. Two people he'll like to share a table with are Kwame Nkrumah and Sir Alex Ferguson. He thinks bungee jumping is a really cool sport and that there isn't much to it. is in his penultimate year at the University of Ghana. He is studying Political Science. He likes integrity, research, and learning about investment.

Thelma Owusu-Abrokwa studies French and Psychology at the University of Ghana. She loves singing in choirs. is currently in his final year at Ashesi University College. He supports Arsenal FC, and his favourite personality is Sir Winston Churchill. 

Anthony Tawiah is a student/entrepreneur in his final year at Regent University College. He is studying Management with Computing. He is a passionate young person who has resolved not to be a victim of the system but to be part of a solution to create a positive impact on his generation. He lives as "a pilgrim not in control, a steward not an owner, and a soldier without security".

Samson Tingbani studies at the University of Ghana. He is an AIESECer, and is guided by the words "Live in the future but do not forget the past as those who forget the past are bound to repeat their mistakes".