Eight young Ghanaian women have been selected for the 2026 edition of the Ambassador for a Day (AfD) initiative, a leadership and mentoring programme spearheaded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in partnership with private sector and civil society organisations.
The winners, aged between 18 and 24, form the largest cohort since the programme’s inception and will spend the year shadowing High Commissioners, Ambassadors and female Chief Executive Officers, gaining firsthand exposure to leadership and decision-making in diplomacy, business and public life.
Now in its fifth year, the programme has, for the first time, expanded its mentorship pool to include four Heads of Diplomatic Missions and four female corporate leaders. Each participant will be paired with a mentor and engaged in year-long shadowing opportunities, speaking engagements and participation in high-level meetings.
Despite its title, the initiative runs throughout the year, with structured activities designed to build leadership capacity. Participants will undergo training in public speaking, women’s rights advocacy, digital literacy, emotional intelligence and safeguarding.
As part of the programme, the finalists will visit key institutions including the Ministry of Gender, the University of Ghana and selected women-led businesses to gain practical insight into institutional operations. They will also participate in mentorship sessions with female media leaders during a field visit to the EIB Network.
Announcing the cohort, British High Commissioner Christian Rogg said the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between ambition and access.
“When young women see leadership up close, it becomes easier to imagine themselves in those roles and to pursue them,” he said, adding that the programme aims to equip participants with stronger networks, clearer ambitions and the confidence to pursue leadership opportunities.
One of the winners, Ibtisam Sualisu, said the programme would help amplify her voice and connect her with leaders advancing gender equality and sustainable development.
She noted that the programme’s theme, “Give to Gain,” encourages young women to support one another, describing it as “an effective strategy for achieving sustainable progress and collective success.”
The initiative comes against the backdrop of continued underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles in Ghana and globally. Organisers say the programme seeks to address this by providing practical exposure, mentorship and networking opportunities.
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An awards ceremony and mentorship workshop is scheduled for April 22, 2026, at the British High Commissioner’s Residence, where participants will meet their mentors. The programme will run through to December, concluding with a reflection event during the 16 Days of Activism.
The Ambassador for a Day initiative, which began in 2022, forms part of activities marking the British High Commission’s Gender and Equalities Month 2026 and contributes to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
