National Development Programs

Empowering Women in Politics

Overview

The Empowering Women in Politics (EWIP) program; funded by the Centre Party International Foundation and implemented in Ghana by LeadAfrique International is dedicated to increasing the capacity and participation of women in politics. Recognizing the barriers women face in political spaces, EWIP equips aspiring and current female leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to thrive and influence change at all levels of leadership.

Our Focus

EWIP goes beyond training—it creates a safe and empowering space for women to learn, connect, and lead. The program supports women across the political spectrum, helping them to:

• Build confidence and resilience for political leadership.
• Acquire practical campaign and governance skills.
• Network with mentors, role models, and peers.
• Advocate for inclusive and gender-sensitive policies.

Core Components

• Leadership Training: Intensive workshops and seminars on campaign management, communication, negotiation, and policy engagement.
• Mentorship: Pairing women with seasoned political leaders and professionals for guidance and real-world insights.
• Networking Platforms: Creating spaces for cross-party dialogue, alliances, and collaboration among women in politics.
• Advocacy & Visibility: Raising the profile of women leaders and advocating for systems that make political spaces more inclusive.

Impact So Far

Since its launch, EWIP has:

• Trained and supported hundreds of women from diverse political and professional backgrounds.
• Contributed to stronger female representation in local assemblies, political parties, and advocacy groups.
• Built a supportive community of women leaders who champion inclusivity and transformation in governance.

The EWIP Network

EWIP is not just a program—it is a growing movement of women who believe in using political power for positive social transformation. Alumni continue to engage in mentorship, community projects, and advocacy campaigns, creating ripple effects of change across Ghana and beyond.

Get Involved

You can be part of this change. Partner with us to:

• Sponsor training sessions or mentorship activities.
• Provide platforms for EWIP alumnae to showcase their leadership.
• Collaborate on advocacy initiatives for gender equality in governance.

Ghana Youth Leadership Academy (GYLA)

About GYLA

The Ghana Youth Leadership Academy (GYLA), founded in 2022 by LeadAfrique International, is a flagship leadership programme that equips young people with the competence, confidence, and civic mindset needed to transform communities and shape Ghana’s future. We believe in the power of youth to influence governance, drive social change, and strengthen democracy.

Our Approach

GYLA combines learning, practice, and mentorship to nurture transformative leaders:

• Residential Leadership Camps – immersive training with experts, simulations, and peer learning.
• Bi-Weekly Online Sessions – interactive discussions and book clubs on leadership and personal growth.
• Mentorship Programme – one-on-one guidance from leaders in public, private, and civic sectors.
• Community Advocacy Projects – youth-led initiatives tackling real issues in schools and communities.
• Alumni Engagement – the annual Black Star Summit and ongoing networks keep the movement alive.

Impact (2022–2025)

• 180 fellows trained through camps and online sessions.
• 42 advocacy projects implemented across Ghana.
• 150+ duty bearers engaged, including MPs, assemblies, and ministries.
• 4,500+ direct beneficiaries and 6.3 Million of indirect beneficiaries reached.

Fellows achieved remarkable milestones:

• Advocated for a 28% increase in the National Service allowance.
• Brought national attention to all uncompleted projects.

Alumni & Sustainability

The journey doesn’t end after graduation. Through the Black Star Summit, GYLA alumni reconnect annually to share ideas, network, and renew their commitment to leadership. With over 250 young leaders convened in 2025, the Summit ensures that GYLA’s impact grows stronger every year.

The Black Star Summit

The Black Star Summit is GYLA’s flagship alumni conference — a space where young leaders reconnect, reflect, and re-energize their commitment to transforming Ghana. Launched in May 2025, the Summit brings together alumni of GYLA alongside participants from other leadership and civic training programmes. It is designed as an annual platform to sustain the spirit of the Academy by providing continuous learning, networking, and advocacy opportunities.

What Happens at the Summit?

• Dialogues & Workshops – Interactive sessions on governance, social change, entrepreneurship, and youth development.
• Policy Engagement – Recommendations and ideas generated by fellows are compiled into a rapporteur’s report, submitted to the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and other stakeholders.
• Networking & Collaboration – Fellows connect with peers, mentors, and institutional partners to scale their initiatives and create collective impact.
• Celebration of Impact – Alumni success stories are showcased, inspiring the next wave of youth leaders.

2025 Highlights

• Convened 250+ young leaders from across Ghana.
• Hosted cross-sector conversations between youth, civil society, and policymakers.
• Produced a policy report capturing the voices and recommendations of Ghana’s young leaders.
• Sparked alumni-led collaborations that will continue beyond the event.

Looking Ahead

The Black Star Summit will be held every year, serving as the anchor for GYLA’s alumni network. By institutionalizing this annual gathering, LeadAfrique ensures that GYLA is not just a 4-year programme, but a lifelong movement of youth leaders shaping Ghana’s democratic and development agenda. The Black Star Summit is more than a conference. It is a movement of young leaders committed to shining as brightly as Ghana’s Black Star.

Get Involved

• Youth & Institutions: Learn how to apply or nominate candidates.
• Mentors, Partners and Sponsors: Join us in shaping Ghana’s next generation of leaders.
• Contact us: letitia@leadafrique.org

Black Star Summit

About the Black Star Summit

The Black Star Summit is a youth-led platform that brings together emerging leaders, policymakers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, civil society actors, and development partners to engage in meaningful dialogue on Ghana's development priorities.

The Summit exists to create a space where young people move beyond conversation and actively contribute to shaping solutions to national challenges. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, sector-specific breakout sessions, and collaborative engagements, participants examine critical issues affecting Ghana and develop practical recommendations for action.

The Summit is built on the belief that young people are not merely beneficiaries of development but essential partners in designing and driving it. By connecting diverse voices and perspectives, the Black Star Summit seeks to strengthen civic participation, influence policy conversations, and promote collaborative leadership across sectors.

Our Impact

Since its inception, the Black Star Summit has convened hundreds of young leaders from across Ghana and beyond, creating opportunities for dialogue, learning, networking, and collective action. The insights generated during each Summit are documented and translated into reports and policy recommendations that serve as resources for stakeholders, institutions, and decision-makers.

Publications and Resources

To ensure that the ideas, recommendations, and commitments emerging from the Summit continue to inform action beyond the event itself, we make key Summit publications publicly available.

Black Star Summit 2025 Rapporteur's Report

The 2025 Rapporteur's Report captures the major discussions, insights, recommendations, and outcomes from the inaugural Black Star Summit. It provides a comprehensive record of the conversations that shaped the Summit and highlights key priorities identified by participants.

Black Star Summit 2026 Rapporteur's Report

The 2026 Rapporteur's Report documents the proceedings of the Summit, including keynote addresses, plenary discussions, and sector breakout sessions covering Education, Employment, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Technology, the Creative Economy, Health, and Trade and Commerce. The report presents key findings, recommendations, and action points generated by participants.

Black Star Summit 2026 Policy Recommendations

The 2026 Policy Recommendations document consolidates the most significant proposals emerging from the Summit. Developed from participant deliberations and sector-specific discussions, it outlines practical recommendations aimed at strengthening youth inclusion, improving governance outcomes, and advancing national development priorities.

The document is intended to support engagement between young people, policymakers, institutions, and development partners by providing clear, actionable recommendations for consideration and implementation.

Download the sector-specific policy recommendations:

Partner With Us

The Black Star Summit is strengthened through collaboration with institutions, fellowship programmes, youth networks, development partners, private sector organisations, and individuals who share our commitment to youth leadership and national development.

We welcome partnerships that contribute expertise, resources, opportunities, and ideas that help expand the Summit's reach and impact.

For partnership enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or collaboration requests, please contact us.

Email: letitia@leadafrique.org
Phone: 059 804 3003 / 024 024 3258
Organisation: LeadAfrique International

Digital Courses

Explore our digital courses on leadership, personal development, and more through our YouTube channel.