By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, March 8, GNA – Fifty-two girls from seven countries in Africa graduated from the Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, and Development (LEAD) Camp on Saturday, empowered to drive positive change across communities.
The week-long programme, sponsored by Delta Air Lines, brought together high-achieving girls from Ghana, Eswatini, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to equip them with leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy skills.
The camp, organised by Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, focused on building confidence, fostering innovation, and inspiring the girls to become change-makers in their communities.
Miss Ronke Adebiyi, the Director of International Government Affairs, Delta Air Lines, highlighted the importance of the initiative, which, among others, was to empower the girls to realise their dreams.
“We are investing in and empowering young girls, helping them to realise their opportunities and potential,” she said.
“These girls will take what they’ve learned back to their communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.”
Through workshops led by accomplished female leaders, including chief executive officers, managers, and directors, the participants gained insights into branding, finance, marketing, and communications.
They also worked on capstone projects addressing critical issues such as mental health awareness, digital communications, and redefining feminism to promote equality.
The graduation ceremony coincided with the launch of JA Africa’s ambitious “10 Million African Girls” (10MAG) campaign, which aims to equip ten million girls across the continent with the skills needed to drive economic growth, reduce poverty, and combat gender-based violence.
The 52 LEAD Camp graduates were inducted as the inaugural cohort of the 10MAG network, which will provide them with ongoing mentorship, resources, and opportunities to advance their leadership journeys.
Mrs Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, emphasised the urgency of the campaign, noting that Africa could not achieve its full potential if half of its youth were denied access to quality education and economic opportunities.
“These girls are the future leaders who will transform their communities and nations. We call on governments, corporations, and individuals to join us in this mission to empower young women and build a brighter future for Africa,” she said.
“The 52 graduates represent a promising start to the 10MAG campaign, which seeks to address challenges such as high rates of child marriage, limited access to education, and gender disparities in entrepreneurship.”
With the support of partners like Delta Air Lines, JA Africa is committed to scaling its efforts to reach millions more girls across the continent, ensuring they had the tools and opportunities to thrive.
GNA
ABD