Sisters Keepers Celebrates the Successful Conclusion of Its Summer Institute
Sisters Keepers is proud to announce the successful completion of its highly anticipated Summer Institute, a transformative week-long program designed to support and inspire young girls to become confident leaders in their communities. The event, which took place from August 25th to September 1st in Accra, Ghana, brought together 29 participants from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in a series of interactive workshops, mentorship sessions, and team-building activities, all aimed at building confidence, leadership skills, and fostering a sense of solidarity among young women. The program featured a diverse lineup of speakers from all over African countries like Vera Addo, Shamima Muslim, Shifa Amankwa-Gabbey, Edem Asimedu, Grace Ampoonsah, Mabel Ohemeng, Naomi Akpikie, Joy Wonne, Emike Okoyomoh, among other amazing speakers who all delivered powerful sessions on leadership, education and career, mental health awareness, rights of the child, goal settings and many more. The closing awards ceremony was graced by prominent leaders who attended the event including Hon. Emelia Arthur, Esther Cobbah, Her Eminence Joana Opare and Ms Kathy Addy. The Keynote speaker, Esther Cobbah charged the girls to look beyond their current situation and dare to dream big. In her words, she said “whatever your circumstances are, you should not despise them because they help you in your later life.” Other speakers also shared valuable insights that inspired the participants to think boldly about their futures.
“We are excited about the pilot of the Summer Institute,” said Violet Pearson, President/Global Facilitator of Sisters Keepers. “Our participants have grown tremendously, not just in their leadership skills but also in their confidence and ability to support one another. This program is a testament to what young girls can achieve when given the tools, support, and inspiration to thrive.”
A highlight of the program was the Awards Ceremony, where outstanding participants were recognized for their achievements in various categories. Awards were given for the first, second, and third positions in two age categories: 12 to 15 years and 16 to 18 years.
Ages 12 - 15 category
GOLD - Mumuni Horia - A 14 year old girl from the Sawla community in Ghana worked on a community project themed “Waste Management in Sawla” where she successfully had an interview with the district director of NADMO and the assembly member in her community and they agreed to use the office to support and ensure waste problem is eradicated. She also successfully organized a cleanup exercise with her community members in Sawla township.
SILVER - Shaibu Zulihanatu - A 13 year old girl from the Sawla community in Ghana also worked on a community project themed “Waste Management in Bole Municipality” where she has been able to organize communal labour and had an engagement with opinion leaders including; chiefs, elders, women etc.
BRONZE - Menelva Aba Mensah - A 14 year old girl from the Shama community in Ghana worked on a community project themed “Menstrual Hygiene” where she gave education to about 200 girls at Church, school and the community at large on how they can keep themselves clean during menstruation by teaching them how to put on the pad and also thought them how to make the locally reusable pad for those who cannot afford buying pads can rely on during their menstrual period
Ages 16 - 18 category
GOLD - Velma Tsieli - A 18 year old girl from Kenya worked on a community project themed “Seaside Green Clean’ where she focused on addressing the significant waste pollution affecting local beaches and, by extension, the ocean. Her project aims to mitigate the environmental crisis caused by human activities, which threatens both human health and the ocean's ecosystems.
SILVER - Mercy Ekoojo Zekeli - A 18 year old girl from Nigeria worked on a community project themed "End Tuberculosis Spread" (End TB) focused on raising awareness about tuberculosis through social media platforms, physical outreach, and educational materials. She initiated this project to educate people about tuberculosis, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and free testing available at public clinics. She organized a team to create hand-made awareness cards and distribute them during community events, while also using online platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook to share information and resources. The project has been instrumental in educating her community, bringing people for free testing, and reducing the spread of tuberculosis. Mercy's ultimate goal is to see more people informed about tuberculosis and take proactive steps to prevent its impact.
BRONZE - Kendra Cobinnah - A 17 year old girl from the Shama community worked on a community project about how to avoid teenage pregnancy in her community. This initiative "Pregnancy free" started as she formed a club in her community and taught the youth about the causes, effects and the best way they can reduce teenage pregnancy to zero. Teenage pregnancy has become a canker in the Shama district, and this young leader is focusing on reducing it with the help of her community members.
In addition to these, some special awards such as the "The Community Builder Award," "Most Resilient Award," "Most Commited Award," Fearless Communicator Award, and Spirit of the Sport celebrated some of the girls dedication to personal growth and their commitment to making a positive impact in their communities in persons of Victoria Atsiatorme, Kambotuu Briana, Makella Anyanwu, Florence Mensah, and Ethel Esi Mensah respectively.
The Summer Institute was made possible through our valuable partnership with PORDUCARE and the Integrated Action for Development Initiatives (IADI). Their collaboration was instrumental in the program's success, allowing Sisters Keepers to deliver a high-quality experience for all participants and expand opportunities for leadership development.
In addition to the in-person experience, the program also offered virtual participation options, allowing those who could not travel to Ghana to engage in the sessions and mentorship opportunities. This hybrid approach ensured that the program’s impact reached far beyond the physical event, fostering a global community of young women.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to all our sponsors, partners, speakers, mentors, and volunteers who contributed to making this event a success,” added Violet Pearson , President/Global Facilitator. “Their support has created a lasting impact on the lives of these young women, equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to lead and inspire.”
As the Summer Institute comes to a close, Sisters Keepers looks forward to continuing its mission of supporting young women through education, mentorship, and community engagement. Plans are already underway for next year’s program, with an aim to expand its reach and impact even further.
About the B-GILD Community Excellence Awards:
The B-GILD Community Excellence Awards Program is designed to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of young Black girls in leadership and community service. By providing scholarships, mentorship, and training, Sisters Keepers aims to empower these young women to become influential leaders and change-makers.
About Sisters Keepers:
Sisters Keepers is dedicated to empowering young Black girls through education, mentorship, and community engagement. Our vision is to create a world where every Black girl is celebrated and empowered to reach her fullest potential.
