We are excited to share the incredible story of Erica Cobbinah-Essoun, our former mentee and a current student at KNUST, who is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication Studies.
Erica completed high school in 2022, and after several attempts to further her education without success, she nearly gave up on her dreams. However, through the Akurase Mpuntuo Program in 2023, she was mentored to clearly define her goals and assisted with funds to buy a tertiary school application form.
In her first year at KNUST, the foundation provided her with a laptop and smartphone to help her focus on her academics, thanks to the support of benevolent individuals, including the alumni community of YALI RLC Accra, Ghana.
Erica made good use of her first long vacation by pursuing ALX Africa’s virtual assistantship program, interning with Nzema FM, and organizing a talk on career paths and sexual and reproductive health and rights for young girls in her community.
The virtual assistantship program equipped her with the necessary skills to provide administrative, technical, and creative assistance to clients and organisations remotely. She gained proficiency in various tools and software, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, and project management tools.
Moreover, Erica’s 3-month internship with Nzema FM exposed her to various aspects of radio production, including news reporting, live presentation mentions (LPM), news editing, and live radio presentations. It also allowed her to develop essential skills such as time management, teamwork, adaptability, and the ability to work under pressure. One memorable experience from the internship was travelling to several communities to cover the December 7 elections for the station.
Erica’s motive for organising the talk for the young girls was to reduce or end the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in her community. She also taught the girls how to clearly define their goals in life and pursue them with vigour without succumbing to any limitations.
Erica’s remarkable journey thus far affirms the importance of mentorship for young people in rural and deprived communities. Special thanks to all our partners and individual donors who continue to assist us in empowering young people in such communities.
