Ghanaian student Esi Yankah has established The Africa Mentor Network to inspire and help young Africans discover their potential.

Story by Krittiya Wongtavavimarn

It was in her warm kitchen in Atlanta where the idea of The Africa Mentor Network formed. In 2007, Esi Yankah and her family shared thoughts about the value and importance of people helping people. Right at that moment, Yankah was determined to make it happen.

It was not just chitchat, but a full commitment, she said.

“It’s my passion to help people to achieve their goals and dreams,” said Yankah, a native of Ghana and a second-year graduate student in Integrated Marketing Communication at Emerson College. “We talked about how there should be a mentor program in Ghana and Africa as a whole. A lot of young people don’t have a role model in their lives. I saw the need for a mentoring program to help gather role models and leaders together for young people.”

Yankah, 25, is the founder and president of The Africa Mentor Network (TAMN), a nonprofit organization in Ghana that aims to trigger the “can do” attitude in young African people. The organization integrates people from different backgrounds, who share a passion for Africa and its development, to help shape the lives of the younger generation of Africans through a mentoring and networking program.

Officially launched in August 2009 in Ghana, TAMN is on a mission to introduce and implement various programs, such as a speed networking roundtable where young people can meet and mingle with top business executives and other prominent figures - an event that can open doors of opportunity in young people’s lives and careers. Other programs include one-on-one mentoring, homework assistance, talent sourcing and career development, motivational speakers, and many more. The programs aim to help individuals improve and advance their social, educational, and economic opportunities.

“People lack motivation. And I thought, ‘something has to be done,’” Yankah said. “There are still young people out there with great ideas but never have a chance to pursue their dreams. We provide a platform and equal opportunity for them to get out there and have a chance to advance themselves. This platform brings a lot of young people together to share ideas and motivate and inspire one another.”

The programs not only improve the lives of young people, but also benefits the advancement of the country and the African continent as a whole, she explained.

“Africa has a lot of resources to help other people. We always look outside of the continent to seek help. But if we are able to help each other, together we can all move up,” she said.

Yankah sees a great importance in networking as a tool to erase the generation gap between the old and the young.

“Networking cuts across cultures and countries. It’s a way to open the door of opportunity for people to help one another. It’s not just about business; it’s about getting to know people and understand people,” she said. “The gap between the young and the old will be closed since they can mingle in an environment where there’s hope, friendship, and inspiration.”

Being a president of TAMN at a young age, Yankah is reluctant to say she’s a successful person. “No, I’m not. I still have a long way to go,” she said.

To her, success means fulfilling her dreams and improving the lives of other people. “It’s not about thinking about yourself, but about other people as well. Success means bringing people along with you as you are moving up,” she asserted.

Yankah refers to her appearance on the cover of Emerson College’s strategic plan for racial and ethnic diversity as her “great achievement.”

“It’s a way to create awareness about cultural differences and help people learn from other people. It could be a life changing experience. It’s important to bring more minority groups into society. Just like branches of a tree, we all bring different things to the table. We all have something special to offer,” she said.

Before the photo shoot for this Emerson Global Network article, Yankah excused herself for a moment to put on her Ghanaian-style dress. “I have to represent my culture,” she said. “It’s really who you are. You can’t just move to a new place and leave your culture and values behind. My culture is rich, and I want to share it and celebrate it because it really made me who I am today.”

The Africa Mentor Network is now accepting volunteer applications for mentors and mentees. You can donate or become a part of TAMN by visiting the website www.africamentor.org.

Source: http://www.emerson.edu/egn/news_events/index.cfm