In a strong push towards youth development and girl empowerment, over 100 final-year female students from St. Thomas Senior High School in Asamankese participated in the maiden in-person session of the My Mentor, My Pal initiative, a mentorship program aimed at nurturing young Ghanaian girls through structured guidance, professional exposure, and career- focused dialogue.
The year-long initiative, spearheaded by My Teen Life and Faith, Hope and Love (FHL) Group Africa, in collaboration with AfriYAN Ghana and with support from UNFPA Ghana for the physical meet-up. The program is structured around bi-monthly letter exchanges
between mentors and mentees, with periodic in-person interactions designed to reinforce learning and foster lasting mentor-mentee relationships.
Themed “From Dream to Reality: Charting Your Career Path”, the event was hosted at the Orange Loft, UNFPA Ghana Country Office, bringing together mentors from across various fields, including medicine, entrepreneurship, public health, academia, and development.
“Our goal is to raise confident young women who can navigate life with clarity, purpose and self-worth,” remarked Esenam Amuzu, Founder of My Teen Life, during the opening ceremony. Awo Gyan of FHL Group Africa added, “This initiative is about building intentional and impactful connections that support growth. We are proud to invest in the future of these brilliant young minds.”
Inspiration from Trailblazers
Delivering a stirring keynote address, Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye-Boakye, the Ghana Navy’s first female officer, encouraged the girls to believe in their dreams and seize every opportunity with confidence. Her message struck a powerful chord, reminding the students that leadership is a choice available to all, regardless of background or gender.
Participants also benefited from a vibrant plenary panel discussion led by mentors Michaela Wekem, Nelsie Addoh, Akosua Osei, Dr. Sonia-Amanda Ametume, and Angela Borteley Bortey, who shared career insights and personal stories. This was followed by one-on-one mentoring sessions and interactive talks on reproductive health and child protection, facilitated by Ms. Antoinette Da Rocha and Ms. Claudia Lawson.
The event also saw facilitation support from UNFPA Youth Fellows, who shared lived experiences and practical tools for personal and academic development.
“The one-on-one sessions were the highlight for me. Interacting with the girls was eye-opening. I even learned things I will apply in my parenting,” said one mentor. Another shared, “Kudos to My Teen Life and FHL Group Africa for a well-organized and impactful program. I look forward to seeing the next cohort thrive.”
A remote mentor who connected virtually added, “Even though I couldn’t attend in person, video calling my mentee was such a blessing. This program is truly transformational.”
