Two FOSDA youth emerged as winners from the AfD competition held in March 2024, with one of the young women having the opportunity to shadow the Canadian High Commissioner, H.E Martine Moreau, as one of the top 3 winners.
These young women, both 20 years old are Malika Kassim (matched with the Canadian High Commissioner) and Mohammed Bello Hidaya.

The AfD competition is part of the British High Commission’s “Africa Gender and Equalities Month initiative”. It is an annual campaign that takes place in March to commemorate and promote gender equality by holding a series of activities to engage with key stakeholders.
These stakeholders include the Canadian High Commission and the French Embassy and organisations like FOSDA which work to promote gender equity and social inclusion such as Plan Ghana, the African Leadership Women’s Network (ALWN), the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition Youth Wing, Power to Girls Foundation, Fulani Youth Association of Ghana (FUYAG), UNFPA, CAMFED and PAYDP. This year, a total of 12 winners were chosen from across these organisations.

On Friday 22nd March 2024, FOSDA participated as a partner in the Awards Ceremony. During the ceremony, the FOSDA Gender and WPS Project Officer, Ms. Dorothy Barnes, gave her remark stating that “The AfD program is an amazing opportunity that provides the young winners the platform to demonstrate leadership, advocate for change and promote gender equality. Also, to be aware of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill themselves and to create awareness for it.”
This statement was reflected in the opinions of her H.E Harriet Thompson during her opening remark that the competition opens the worldview of the young women.

According to Ms Barnes, she believed that it was apt that their beneficiary was to be matched with the Canadian High Commission. She stated that FOSDA has had the privilege of working with them on various projects toward promoting Women, Peace and Security in Ghana.
“Our missions align when we consider the feminist approach and it is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate again for this AfD program.”, she said.

She said that FOSDA’s interaction with both beneficiaries, Malika and Hidaya
showed that empowering women should be catered to in all aspects of life not just the political space but including spaces like the entrepreneurial and creative space. This statement reiterated H.E Martine Moreau’s remarks that
women needed to be empowered in both the public and political space.
Ms. Barnes encouraged the winners to hold onto the opportunity firmly and use it as a stepping stone to boost their confidence.

She concluded her partner statement by urging all stakeholders to continue investing in young women, and in peace and security.

The Awards Ceremony was attended by dignitaries like British High Commissioner – H.E. Harriet Thompson, Canadian High Commissioner – H.E, Martine Moreau, French Ambassador – H.E. Jules Armand Aniambossou, Hon. Dakoa Newman – MP for the Okaikwei South Constituency, Hon. Helen Ntosu – MP Women Caucus and Member of Gender and Child Committee (NDC), Hon. Gifty Mensah MP Women Caucus and Member of Gender and Child Committee (NPP)