By Emelia B. Addae
Oyoko (E/R), Aug. 8, GNA – The Mentorship for Youth Development (MENFYD) Foundation, through its Story of Our Lives Project, has empowered about 300 female students from selected senior high schools in Eastern Region through mentorship, education and personal development training.
Using real-life experiences shared by accomplished professionals and mentors, the programme sought to inspire young women to build resilience, develop leadership skills and make informed decisions about their education, careers and personal growth.
The event, held at the Oyoko Methodist Senior High School (OMESS) on the theme: “Redefining Mentorship,” brought together students from OMESS, New Juaben Senior High School, Ghana Senior High School (GHANASS), Methodist Girls’ Senior High School, Mamfe, and Presbyterian Senior High School, Begoro.
Participants received mentorship through personal life stories, sexual and reproductive health education, mental health awareness and education on substance abuse.
Dr Bettina Ama Boohene-Andah, the founder of the MENFYD Foundation, said redefining mentorship meant guiding others through lived experiences rather than offering only theoretical advice.
She said challenges, failures and disappointments were part of life and should serve as motivation for growth rather than reasons to give up.
“The first step to overcoming any challenge is recognising it. If you are unaware of your difficulties, it becomes impossible to address them,” she said.
Dr Boohene-Andah noted that many people around the world faced similar obstacles, adding that successful individuals were often distinguished by how they responded to adversity.
She said those who overcame challenges became living examples capable of inspiring and mentoring others through their experiences.
She encouraged the students to remain committed to their goals despite setbacks, saying resilience, determination and hard work would help them leave lasting legacies.
Sharing her personal journey, she recounted becoming a physician to former President John Agyekum Kufuor at the age of 33 years.
She attributed that achievement to the guidance and mentorship of the late Professor J.O.M. Pobee, whose teachings, continued to influence her professional life.
Dr Boohene-Andah said her commitment to service extended beyond public office, noting that she maintained long-term relationships with many of the people she had served.
She said she published The President’s Physician in 2014 to document her journey from childhood to national service.
She stated that the book had sold more than 5,000 copies internationally, including Nigeria and Sierra Leone, demonstrating that success could be achieved through perseverance regardless of one’s background.
Dr Boohene-Andah said her passion for inspiring young people led to the establishment of the MENFYD Foundation to mentor and empower young people, particularly girls.
She said the Story of Our Lives Project, launched in 2015, initially documented the experiences of former Second Ladies of Ghana before expanding into a regional initiative involving women from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The initiative culminated in the publication of The Five by Five Book, which chronicled the leadership journeys, achievements and challenges of distinguished African women.
Mrs Leila Pentsil, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at the Bank of Africa and a mentor at the event, encouraged the students to develop clear visions for their future and work deliberately towards achieving them.
She stressed the importance of planning and reminded the students that “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
She urged the students not to let disappointments and failures define them, but to draw lessons from such experiences and continue pursuing their aspirations.
She said meaningful relationships often created opportunities and noted that her association with Dr Boohene-Andah had allowed her to inspire the students.
Mrs Pentsil encouraged them to remain focused, resilient and intentional in all their endeavours.
Ms Richelle Adwoa Amofa, the Deputy Director of Administration at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, who represented the Eastern Regional Minister, said the Story of Our Lives Project complemented the government’s efforts to keep young people in school, protect them from harm and prepare them for leadership and employment.
Mentorship remained an effective tool because young people learn best from people who have experienced similar life journeys.
“When our girls hear real accounts of perseverance through hardship, of choices made and lessons learnt, it demystifies success. It tells them that ‘If she did it, I can it too’,” she said.
Among the mentors who shared their life experiences with the students were Lieutenant Colonel Sena Affanyi, an International Security and Intelligence Expert, and Dr Naa Asheley Ashietey, the Chief Executive Officer of Nava Wellness Centre.
The programme also featured breakout sessions that enabled students to interact closely with mentors and receive personal guidance.
Each participant received a copy of The Five by Five Book, authored by Dr Boohene-Andah, which documents the life stories of five distinguished African women from Ghana, The Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Benin.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae, GNA
Email: [email protected]