Between 30th April, 2021 and 14th May 2021, Kandifo Institute paid courtesy calls on the Ambassadors of Spain, Czech Republic, South Africa, Mexico and Peru. The Executive Director of Kandifo Institute, Mr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah led a team to visit the Embassies of Spain, Czech Republic, Mexico, Peru and the High Commission of South Africa. The conversations held were primarily to introduce Kandifo Institute to the commissions. centered on youth development and the opportunities and possibilities available to engage the Ghanaian youth and equip them with leadership skills they would require to be better individuals who would be able to contribute to national development.
The population of Ghana is made up of 52% youth and hence, it is imperative that the young people of the country are equipped and adequately prepared to take over the leadership of the country in the opportune time. Kandifo Institute having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) made up of 40 member institutions gives the institute an influence over about 500,000 young people. In addition, Kandifo Institute is a licensed operator of the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards Scheme, recognized in Ghana as the Head of States Awards Scheme, of which the President H. E. Nana AddoDankwahAkufo-Addo is the patron and this also gives an influence of about 500,000 young people in Ghana. During the visits, Kandifo Institute wasofficially introduced to the Ambassadors where they were informed in details what the institute is about, what it stands for and its achievements.
Kandifo Institute on Friday 30th April, 2021 paid a courtesy call on the Spanish Ambassador, Her Excellency Alicia Perez and the Deputy Head of Missions His Excellency Rafael Rodriguez Ponga. The Executive Director of the youth-oriented research think-tank, Mr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, together with the Board Chairman of Kandifo Institute, Dr.Kodjo Mensah-Abrampah visited the Spanish Ambassador, Her Excellency Alicia Perez and the Deputy Head of Missions, His Excellency Rafael Rodriguez Pongaat the Spanish Embassy. The institute was introduced to the Ambassadors where they were informed in details what the institute is about, what we do and what we stand for. Kandifo Institute is looking forward to fostering a deeper relationship with Spain particularly through the initiatives the Government of Spain has for the young people of Ghana. Kandifo Institute being enthusiastic about the youth development, has decided to join hands with the Spanish Ambassador to make the initiatives a reality. Kandifo Institute with her Economic Hive as one of its initiatives, can lead advocacies in Economic development. Again, the Institute can increase, build and strengthen human capacity through the Mentoring and Coaching Hub of the Institute. The Institute’s Let Her Lead initiative seeks to move the conversation of Women Empowerment and Feminism towards the adequate acquisition of skills that provides an opportunity for women to serve in leadership. Kandifo Institute through the Let Her Lead initiative will train and empower girls and women to take up leadership positions as the concern for gender equality is very essential in the growth of every economy and also happens to be one of the key contributors to good governance.
On Monday May 10, 2021 the Institute paid a courtesy call on the Czech Ambassador His Excellency JánFüry. The Executive-Director of the research think tank Mr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah together with the Head of Policy and Strategy of the Institute Mr. Patrick Nyarko and the Diplomatic Relations Officer, Esther Danso visited the Czech Ambassador at the Czech Embassy. The Czech Ambassador expressed joy seeing the youth wanting to be involved in the decision-making process in the country. He mentioned that the Government should be glad that after 64 years of independence, the young people are eager to join the governance conversation and stated that there is a need for a dialogue between the young people and the Government of Ghana to see how best these issues raised by the young people would be addressed. He added that it is important to have an avenue created for the youth to vent out their concerns.
In the meeting with the Ambassador H.E Enrique Escorza, Deputy Head of Missions for Mexico, H.E Felipe a Gonzalez and the Head of Consular and Cultural Affairs, H.E. Alejandra Salazar, which was held on Tuesday May 11, 2021, H.E Gonzalez mentioned that Mexico intends to engage the youth in diverse ways. He also stated the intension to engage further with local community through art and gastronomy as they celebrate 60 years of relations between Mexico and Ghana. He said there were various opportunities and scholarships for foreign students to study in Mexico especially on the post graduate level. This however has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Ambassador showed great interest in the works of Kandifo Institute and is willing to collaborate with the Institute in holding some form of virtual trainings for young people since large gatherings cannot occur due to the pandemic. He also indicated that not many Ghanaians visit Mexico, therefore he intends to hold events showcasing the beautiful country, Mexico to the people of Ghana to encourage Ghanaians to pay visit to Mexico.
After the visit to the Mexican embassy, the Kandifo team visited the South African embassy on the same day 11th May 2021. Kandifo Institute and H.E Grace Jeanat Mason had a dialogue amidst the various opportunities that the Institute and the South African High Commission could partner to work in bringing transformational impact on the young people of Ghana.Mr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah mentioned that Nelson Mandela stands out as a beacon of leadership in Africa and as a result the first Madeba Lecture (Nelson Mandela Lecture) would be held in July as July marks the birth month of Nelson Mandela. The High Commissioner showed great interest in this lecture and is willing to collaborate with the Institute to make it happen. The opportunities for students exchange programmes and cultural programmes was discussed as well as the rich culture of South Africa.
The last visit was held on Wednesday 12th May, 2021 at the Peruvian Embassy. The meeting with the Head of Missions of Peru, H.E Abel Antonio Cardenas Tuppia was also eventful. The Ambassador shed some light on the impacts COVID-19 is having on the people of Peru. He mentioned that the pandemic has greatly affected the mining, textile and tourism industry which are a major source of income in the country. H.E Abel Antonio Cardenas Tuppiaexpressed eagerness in building strong relations with the people of Peru and Ghana. He also added that this relation can be built with the young people and that it is important that young people get involved in the leadership and governance as well as dynamics of economics and commerce. According to him, the world does not follow the rules of economics and therefore it is important that the young people continually seek knowledge as the world changes and said that a research think tank is the best thing to happen to Ghana especially if it is led by young people since think tanks provide knowledge. He then commended Kandifo Institute for being a youth-oriented research think tank. He later added that he was surprised when he could not find books and documents of Ghana. He advised Ghanaians to embrace their culture and write more on the history and culture of the country. H.E. Abel Antonio Cardenas Tuppia further went on to offer his help and collaboration should the institute need it. He is also willing to partake in round table discussions and conferences on any topical issues that the Institute may come up with.
We believe that this relationship between Kandifo Institute and the International Communities in Ghana will be a great one not just for the institute but most importantly for the youth in Ghana and the International Countries as Kandifo Institute has a 5 year working a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University Students association of Ghana (USAG) with about 500,000 estimated number of young people who are students and is also a licensed operator of the Head of State Awards Scheme, influencing about 500,000 young people. This makes Kandifo Institute the only think-tank in Ghana to have influence on over 1 million young people. This will create a platform where together with the International Ambassadors, we will be able to reach out to so many young people, train them and prepare them for their future roles as they help contribute to the development of both countries.
