The workshop, held in Tamale, formed part of SWIDA-Ghana's flagship initiative; the Female Leadership and Mentorship Academy.

The programme aims to empower young women to become assertive and courageous leaders, ready to embrace opportunities at the community and national level.

The fifth edition of the Academy was organised by SWIDA-Ghana under the Women's Voices and Leadership programme, which was sponsored by Plan International Ghana and Global Affairs Canada, where about 120 young women from across the region participated in the orientation to prepare them for the three-month initiative.

As part of the programme, mentees would be paired with mentors, who would provide periodic counseling, coaching, motivation, and mentorship to accelerate their leadership, career, and personal development.

The event brought together both mentors and mentees, including past beneficiaries, who shared how the programme had positively impacted on their personal and professional growth.

Hajia Alima Sagito-Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, addressed participants highlighting that the initiative was designed to maximise leadership potential and advocacy skills enabling young women to actively contribute to community and national development.
She emphasised that achieving Sustainable Development Goal five, which was geared towards achieving gender equality and women's empowerment by 2030 required strategic coaching and mentorship platforms, which the Academy provided.

Hajia Sagito-Saeed encouraged the mentees to seize the opportunity to build their leadership capacity empowering them to advocate for vulnerable and underrepresented groups in their communities.

Mrs Beilawu Issah, a representative from the Northern Regional Department of Social Welfare and a mentor on the programme, emphasised the importance of female leadership in national development and urged mentees to take the programme seriously.

Madam Malchan Issah, a past beneficiary, shared how the initiative boosted her confidence and improved her leadership and advocacy skills.

Miss Pagnaa Issah, a current mentee, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme and her eagerness to develop her leadership potential.

The Female Leadership and Mentorship Academy continues to be a beacon of hope equipping young women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead change in their communities and beyond.