30 Ghanaian Youth selected for 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship
Accra, Ghana – The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce the selection of thirty Ghanaians for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF) under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) . These accomplished young entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, and public service leaders hail from nearly every region of Ghana and prevailed through a rigorous and highly competitive process. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and making a positive impact in their communities and country.
The 2025 Fellows work in a wide range of fields including agribusiness, rural entrepreneurship, health, and education, and will be in the United States for intensive professional development and leadership training at universities and institutions in Washington, D.C. and dozens of cities across the United States. “The Mandela Washington Fellows represent some of the most talented and visionary young professionals in Ghana. Their leadership, dedication, and perseverance are commendable and reinforces our shared values and promotes mutual prosperity,” said Rolf Olson, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program under the Young African Leaders Initiative, providing up to 650 young African leaders leadership development and training in the United States this year. Over 7,000 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship since 2014.
Upon their return, the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellows will become part of the robust U.S. exchange alumni network in Ghana, which now numbers nearly 4,000 members. This network actively engages with U.S. and Ghanaian leaders to develop community-based solutions to public policy challenges in health, education, human rights, women’s empowerment, and other critical areas.
