Ghanaian among WEF’s Young Global Leaders from Africa

The World Economic Forum has announced new members selected to join the Forum of Young Global Leaders. The 214 exceptional young individuals have been recognized for their achievements and contribution to society.

Nineteen of the selected leaders are from sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana’s Bernice Dapaah, the Executive Director of the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, a social enterprise which uses locally sourced bamboo and labour to make strong, simple, lightweight bicycles.

The Young Global Leaders (YGLs) come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of expertise to the community from across the world.

Over 50% of the new intake are women, half come from the private sector and half from the public sector, including academia, arts and culture, civil society, government, media and not-for-profit organizations.

“The YGL Community assembles the world’s most outstanding next-generation leaders who have a proven record of extraordinary achievement and helps them further develop in their leadership journey,” said David Aikman, Managing Director and Head of New Champions at the World Economic Forum.

“The community provides its members with a peer network that challenges them to not only do more, but to be more. Being part of the YGL Community is a transformational experience, where leaders turn their personal success into global significance and positive impact in their countries, industries and areas of expertise,” he said.

The YGL Class of 2014 includes 49 individuals from East Asia, 46 from Europe, 16 from Latin America and the Carribean, 18 from the Middle East and North Africa, 49 from North America and 17 from South Asia.

Thirteen African YGLs have the chance to benefit from the Dangote Fellowship, created in collaboration with Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group.

The aim is to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders across the continent by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector.

“Being recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader is a huge honor, given the rigorous nature of the selection process and the exceptional caliber of entrants from across the globe,” said Bernice Dapaah. “I fully embrace the opportunity to become partners with many of my fellow Young Global Leaders as we contribute our quota to solve some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.”

The Fellowship helps YGLs from Africa attend YGL and World Economic Forum events and funds the organization of an YGL Africa Education Module.

The YGL Community has more than 900 active members, representing every region of the world.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh