In 2017, I heard about the advertisement of a national essay competition on a radio (Global FM) in Ho-Volta Regional capital in Ghana, so I went to one of the points for writing pads, penned my innovative ideas and submitted my essay. The competition was organized by Youth Empowerment Synergy (YES) - Ghana under its SDG Youth Action Campaign Funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The essay topic solicited for ideas from young people as to how we can address most pressing issues in our communities. Out of 411 applications across the country (Ghana), I was shortlisted among the top 25 finalists and eventually on the award day I emerged as the ultimate winner of the maiden edition of the SDG youth essay competition. I was given a cash prize and the opportunity to network with local and global change makers.
Receiving this award was the turning point in my life; it inspired me and motivated me to embark on a journey that will impact my community, country and the world at large. I began to implement the ideas that got me the award in 2017. So I joined an organization known as Kwahu Sanitation Volunteers Club as a member, I was given the opportunity to be an executive committee member and based on my hard work, now I am the General Secretary and SDG focal person of the Club. We conduct regular clean up exercises together with schools, churches, communities, institutions and just to mention but few. We as well advocate on the Global Goals (SDGs) and educate people on the best practices of Sanitation. Our activities have attracted interests from individuals, media and some noble institutions because of the great impact we are making within Kwahu and its environs. One of our districts (Kwahu East) was awarded the second cleanest district in the whole country because of our activities within that district. Our communities are now clean and diseases related with poor sanitation practices are now a thing of the past. I led a team to award schools that are promoting sanitation in their districts in order to motivate them to keep up the good work as we enhance the globe through our local action.
Based on my commitment to bringing a positive change in my community, I was nominated in the Youth Citizens Entrepreneurship International Competition in the Best Ideas 2019 category. Also, I had the opportunity to participate in a three days Global Youth and Peace Building online consultation organized by Peace Direct and United Network for Young Peace Builders and am glad to say my submission was one of the best and it was included in the executive summary. After the consultation I deemed it fit to contribute as well to peace promotion, so I organized advocacy programs, I visit schools and institutions educating them on the importance of peace promotion. Recently on 31st January, 2020, I organized an indoor advocacy program where I educated the staff of Kwahu South District Assembly - Department of Agriculture on peace, election, civic responsibility and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because my country is in an election year so I believed the topic was timely and impactful. As a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI Network), I facilitated an offline YALI course on "Effective Communication for Healthy Outcome", and I was awarded by the YALI LEARNS for my impact.
In the nutshell, I am happy to say the national award in 2017 paved way for me to become a social entrepreneur and am making a great impact in my community and Ghana. Am happy to say am a positive change maker.