Hikmat Baba Dua is Ghana’s most outstanding emerging young promising woman-MILEAD fellowship
A twenty 23 years old graduate sociology student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ms Hikmat Baba Dua from the northern region has been selected among Africa’s most outstanding emerging women leaders by Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa (MILEAD).
Ms Hikmat was selected from over 2,120 applications from 44 countries for the 2013. The selected women will become part of the growing MILEAD community of powerful Pan-African network of change makers- a new generation of young women leaders.
The 28 selected MILEAD Fellows represent Africa’s most promising young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of Africa. The Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive selection process and criteria based on their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa.
Ms. Hikmat Baba Dua’s selection was informed as a result of her passion for advancing the course of incorporating the feminine voice at all levels of decision making.
As an accomplished debater, she used the power of speech to rise to the top of leadership positions in the Students’ Parliament as deputy speaker, and the Students Representative Council as deputy PRO at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) having served in other leadership positions at the JCR level and associations.
For her distinguished leadership to the KNUST community, she was nominated and eventually won the 2011/2012 KNUST Personality of the Year at the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Awards and other awards. She has for the past years advocated for girl child education and women in decision making on radio and on TV. Hikmat recently put together an advocacy group of young dynamic female leaders known as the “league of young female leaders” to advocate for girl child education and mentor these young ones to take on leadership roles in their schools.
Speaking to Zaa News about her selection, Ms. Hikmat reaffirmed her commitment to uplifting young women in Africa and the world at large. She also hopes to use the opportunity to shaping the lives of the many young women in Africa.
She is a proud fellow of the International Development Summer Institute (2010) organized by Pennsylvania University, USA and the KNUST.
She is currently with the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale as a National Service Personnel. Representing twenty five African countries and the Diaspora, the 2013 Fellows epitomize a Pan-African diversity with multi-disciplinary academic, professional and social backgrounds.
From poverty to women’s economic empowerment, environmental justice and political participation, this new generation of African women leaders are proof that Africa can produce the bold, visionary and inspirational leadership needed to lift Africa to its rightful place on the global stage.
The 2013 Fellows are between the ages of 19 and 25, but are already actively leading change on pertinent issues, both at the grassroots and international level. The MILEAD Fellows will converge in Accra, Ghana to kick-start the 2013 MILEAD Leadership Institute- a three-week intensive training program, which will be hosted by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon.
Fellows will be mentored by experienced and accomplished women leaders who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African women leaders. Founded in 2004, The Moremi
Initiative for Women's Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire, and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs, and change agents- leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate injustices and discrimination against women.
The 2013 MILEAD Fellows Institute The MILEAD Fellows will converge in Accra, Ghana to kick-start the 2013 MILEAD Leadership Institute- a three-week intensive training program, which will be hosted by the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon. The Institute will serve as a platform for Fellows to cross-examine concepts of leadership in a broad African context, cultivate the skills and experiences necessary to occupy and excel in leadership positions, and gain knowledge on cutting-edge issues critical to African women and their communities. In addition to knowledge building lectures, skills-training workshops, teambuilding activities, role plays and other interactive activities, Fellows will be mentored by experienced and accomplished women leaders who are committed to supporting and nurturing the next generation of African women leaders.
About The MILEAD Fellows Program
The MILEAD Fellows Program is a uniquely designed initiative committed to the long-term leadership development and promotion of Africa’s most promising young women leaders. Fellows go through a yearlong training and mentoring program, designed to build skills, strengthen networks, and support women’s leadership on critical issues. Over the course of the year, the selected Fellows progress through three phases. First, identify and prepare Fellows through leadership development, networking, mentoring, and training. Second, promote the visibility and accomplishments of Fellows through media coverage and networking. Lastly, support Fellows through career planning, management, and access to opportunities and resources. Fellows will benefit from a lifelong solidarity and support through the MILEAD Network.
About Moremi Initiative
Founded in 2004, The Moremi Initiative for Women's Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire, and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs, and change agents- leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate injustices and discrimination against women. We firmly believe that the full and active participation of women in leadership is a pre-requisite for positive change and development in Africa, and addresses the current problem of leadership imbalances.
