YSA Global, a youth development NGO, has selected 50 young women for its Impact Circle Development Programme, a year-long leadership and career development initiative. This brings the total number of women enrolled in the programme to 150 since its inception three cohorts ago. The programme pairs each participant with an experienced professional mentor and commits them to nine months of outreach in senior high schools.
The Impact Circle Development Programme is designed to build a community of confident and intentional women who create opportunities for others. Founder of YSA Global, Antoinette Gyan, said the programme's goal is not simply to mentor a set number of women each year, but to create a ripple effect of influence. The programme runs for a full year in two phases: three months of capacity development with speakers from Africa and beyond, and nine months of community outreach and engagement.
The programme features a mentor-matching scheme that links participants with professionals in seven fields, including Technology and Innovation, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Health and Social Impact. This gives the women direct access to industry guidance and networks connected to their career goals. Antoinette Gyan opened the session with a reflective conversation on the theme, "Seizing the Moment," encouraging participants to know their season and take responsibility for their next step.
Participants also attended a financial literacy session with Priscilla E. Onyameama, Partnership Lead at Built Financial Technologies. She urged the women to build healthy money habits early in their careers, including drawing up a realistic budget, saving consistently, and setting achievable goals. She also encouraged them to explore multiple sources of income and think carefully before taking on debt.
Human Resource Manager Gloria Awurama Nartey shared her expertise on what employers look for in young professionals. She emphasized that qualifications alone are not enough, and that attitude, conduct, and a willingness to learn are essential for success. Participants asked questions about recruitment processes, career decisions, and handling expectations in different workplaces.
Communication coach Comfort Doe led a practical session on public speaking, cautioning the women that audiences judge the speaker before they judge the message. She focused on five elements of effective communication: clarity, structure, confidence, connection, and credibility. Participants practiced organizing a presentation, capturing attention, and delivering with confidence.
Two alumni from the second cohort, Esther Agyei and Precious Ofori, shared their experiences of how the programme had shaped them. They reported growing tremendously, building strong networks, and developing stronger critical thinking and leadership skills. Some members of the second cohort have overcome their fear of public speaking and started advocacy platforms on social media.
Key points
- YSA Global's Impact Circle initiative aims to bridge the gap between what young people learn in school and the practical skills, networks, and experience they need to succeed.
