The Managing Partner of corporate and commercial law firm, Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Nana Adjoa Hackman, who is also the founder of Drive to Inspire-Africa (DTI-A), has indicated that with the help of its partners and donors, her organisation is ready to impact the next generation positively.
DTI-A is a non-governmental organisation with the overarching objective of motivating and challenging teenagers and young adults, especially girls, to reach their God-given potential.
Addressing participants at a ceremony to officially launch the Drive to Inspire Africa initiative, which also served as its first fundraising activity, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ms. Hackman said the vision of Drive to Inspire – Africa is to build a generation of confident and capable leaders on the African continent, using the transformative forces of education and mentorship.
It was on the theme: “Inspiring Minds, Empowering Youth; Empowering Youth, Transforming Africa.”
Nana Adjoa Hackman said, “We believe in the mantra that society must not only prepare a better future for the youth but must also prepare the youth to build a better future for themselves. We have set out to achieve this through our activities – which include, career guidance, character-building and personal development talks, adolescent health education, and mentorship for girls.”
Sponsorship initiative
Touching on DTI-A’s educational sponsorship initiative, Nana Adjoa indicated that “in a few months, and “with the kind help” of DTI-A partners and sponsors, DTI-A “will begin its scholarship programme.
“It no doubt is a worthy cause. The idea is to establish a template that works in the three regions we currently operate in (Greater Accra, Eastern and Central) and then scale up to cover the rest of Ghana, while developing a franchise system to run that template in other countries in Africa, as well.
Motivation to inspire
On what inspired her to pursue the DTI-A project, Ms. Hackman pointed out that although the circumstances that brought her to Drive to Inspire – Africa seemed to happen by chance, she was drawn to it because of her set of unique experiences, including the fact that she was inspired to pursue a career in law when at the age of 7, she watched a programme on TV that featured a prominent Ghanaian female lawyer Professor Akua Kuenyehia speaking about PNDC Law 111 and the ills in society that it was intended to cure.
“What I’ve learned over the course of my own life and in my professional career is that you can’t go it alone. You are all here because you believe in this cause and together, we can create momentum to change mindsets and equip these teenagers and young adults with the tools to be true assets to their families, communities, and nation, and ultimately also develop the “drive to inspire others” and pay it forward” Nana Adjoa remarked.
Partners appreciation
Ms. Hackman registered her appreciation to all the high-ranking Ghanaian and foreign personalities who attended the ceremony and contributed their quota to support the Drive to Inspire – Africa initiative.
“Thank you, GES, KPMG, and NPO. Thank you First Sky Construction Limited, thank you Serene Insurance, thank you Devtraco Group, thank you, SuCasa, thank you Trasacco, thank you Cypress Energy, and thank you Alisa Hotel for hosting us. To all the special individuals supporting and encouraging us, and our amazing list of volunteers, thank you” Nana Adjoa further remarked.
Continental focus
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), and member of the Advisory Council of DTI-A, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo in her special guest of honour address, commended Nana Adjoa Hackman for not limiting the vision of Drive to Inspire Africa to Ghana alone but for making it a continental agenda. She urged all attendees to commit to sponsoring the DTI-A project to make their dream of supporting education on the African continent a reality.
“We [DTI-A] believe that no one should be deprived of the chance to fulfill their academic potential due to financial hardship. But we cannot achieve this vision alone, that is why we are here tonight. We need the support of donors, philanthropists, corporate partners, and concerned citizens like you,” Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo said.
“Your contributions, no matter how big or small, will make a tangible difference in the lives of these students. Your support is not just a donation, it is an investment in the future leaders, innovators, and change makers in our society” the Vice-Chancellor said.
DTI-A initiative spot-on
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Charles Abani in his remarks said the Drive to Inspire – Africa initiative led by Nana Adjoa Hackman and her team is a perfect development because of its focus on developing the potential of people as well as its focus on partnerships which are in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal six (Education) and Goal seventeen, (Partnerships).
Charles Abani said the UN considers education to be the single most important element that Africa needs to champion in order to achieve the development progress she deserves.
“There are six things that we have identified that are really at the core of transforming the African continent and key areas that those investments need to happen,” the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator for Ghana said.
“Food systems, energy systems, jobs, and social protection, issues around climate change and the triple planetary crisis, digitalisation, and the sixth one, nothing can happen without the sixth one and it is education. And so this is spot on in terms of the [DTI-A] initiative that is focusing on the key area of education,” Charles Abani said.
“The government of Ghana, (and they must never be left off the hook, it is your statutory responsibility to educate every Ghanaian), cannot achieve this without partnerships and the role of philanthropy is so important in creating that journey” Mr Abani added.
Greatest assets
Charles Abani in his remarks further noted that, Ghana’s greatest asset that can propel the country to be self-reliant in the not-so-distant future, lies in her people and investments in the country’s human capital is one that has the full endorsement of the UN.
“Ghana’s greatest asset lies in its people. Investing in their potential and empowerment is fundamental to [the UN’s] mission. By nurturing human capital, we pave the way for a self-reliant future, where every individual can contribute meaningfully to our nation’s prosperity and resilience, Charles Abani noted.
“As we strive to achieve our goals, partnerships play a pivotal role, particularly highlighted by SDG 17. Collaboration allows us to address critical challenges such as education and climate change effectively. Together, we can harness the collective power of diverse stakeholders to drive transformative impact and create a brighter future for all,” he further noted.
Quiet impact
The UN resident coordinator commended Nana Adjoa Hackman for quietly making impact in society and for being a change agent without the noise that mostly characterises the activities of people who even do much less compared to what she is doing.
“Very often, the people who make the biggest change aren’t the loudest people. So, let me congratulate you for being a powerhouse personally in the way that you actually deliver change without being noisy or loud about it,” Charles Abani remarked.
“We in the UN welcome this and we will work with you to find ways we can engage and [to identify the many agencies] such as UNICEF, UNESC, all of those working in this important space to be able to work with you formally as the United Nations” he remarked.
Accountability partner
Sharing his thoughts at the ceremony on behalf of the accountability partner of Drive to Inspire – Africa, Snr. Country Partner at KPMG, Anthony Sarpong, said KPMG’s vision of inspiring confidence and empowering change very much aligns with the vision of DTI-A which is inspiring minds, and empowering the youth.
To this end, Mr Sarpong noted that KPMG views its association with Drive to Inspire – Africa as a long-term relationship.
“We at KPMG believe in lifelong learning as a means to improve the lives of people and therefore we are excited and passionate to be part of this great initiative, Drive to Inspire – Africa and to ensure that as we work together with you, your objectives must be achieved,” Anthony Sarpong said.
“As accountability partners, our role is simply to ensure that there is transparent accountability for all the amounts and funds that will be donated to the fund and actually also ensure its appropriate use and again, ensure that it is properly reported to stakeholders” the KPMG Snr. Country Partner, Anthony Sarpong added.
Pivotal stride
In his address ahead of the official launch, the Director General of Ghana Education Service, Dr Eric Nkansah, commended the founder and staff of Drive to Inspire – Africa for the focal role it has chosen which is to inspire and monitor the youth, particularly girls. Dr Nkansah said the Education Service will do everything possible within its mandate to rally support for DTI-A to expand the organisation’s noble mission.
“Your dedication to inspiring and mentoring teenagers and young adults, particularly girls, is truly commendable and deserving of celebration. It reflects a commitment to nurturing future leaders who will positively impact their homes, communities, and countries.
As we unite to empower and mentor African youth, particularly girls, we recognize the transformative potential in widening their horizons, Director General of Ghana Education Service, Dr Eric Nkansah stated.
“This formal launch marks a pivotal stride in enhancing education in Ghana, fostering collaboration, and shaping a brighter future. Together, let us forge an educational landscape that equips our students with the skills to excel and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development,” he further stated.
DTI-A
Drive to Inspire Africa is a non-governmental organisation that seeks to inspire and mentor teenagers and young adults especially girls between the ages of 13 and 25, to get them to aim high, while assisting them with opportunities that allow them to reach their potential and become real assets to their homes, communities, and countries.
DTI-A is a company limited by guarantee, registered with the Registrar of Companies, Ghana, under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992) and licensed and regulated by the Non-Profit Organisation Secretariat, Ghana. Drive to Inspire -Africa is committed to the safe schools programme initiated by the Ghana Education Service.
The goal of Drive to Inspire – Africa is to run an organisation that is accountable to its donors, sponsors, regulators, stakeholders, and community, relentless in its efforts to achieving its mission and compassionate in its dealings with its beneficiaries.
