The Centre for Youth in Policy Reforms (CYPR), an initiative of West Africa Social Entrepreneurs Network exist in its own right to Push for reform in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on the right of citizens to public information.

Its aim is to provide citizens with a platform to voice their needs, giving them a collective voice to advocate for change and providing them with practical intellectual infrastructure to monitor and expose inefficiencies and corrupt practices in society.

The centre represents the culmination of years of hard work by the West Africa Social Entrepreneurs Network Planning Commission. This much awaited centre detailed the road map on economic prosperity; democracy and delivery; sound infrastructure; population development and security; and technological readiness to achieving our vision for the youth in sub-Saharan Africa.

Clearly a great deal of work is required to achieve this, none the least of which will require: improving public services, increasing public integrity, more effectively managing public resources, creating safer communities, produce openness and transparency as a basis of holding our governments to account.

By bringing together foremost thought youth leaders in Africa, CYPR has become more than just a policy reform centre; it is an action-inspiring centre, creating partnerships, shaping and the sharing of proven best practices.

The youth in Ghana has started creating a path towards a wide-spread policy revolution. And we mean a real revolution reaching across disciplines, across sectors and across borders, sparking the conversation to ensure support for policy reform that surpasses the normal tipping point.

John F Kennedy inspired a nation to greatness with “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’ and with ‘by the end of the decade we will put a man on the moon”.

The same goes for Martin Luther King who inspired a social revolution with “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed”.

There is a shift of power and influence away from the European world, and we in Ghana and people across Africa are starting to take advantage of that shift.

Around the world, people are expecting not only to be heard but to be listened to.

CYPR has become a clarion call to governments and policy makers urging them to support the youth in Africa, primarily to become leaders who will advocate for a more open, just, transparent and accountable governance.

Every generation has the opportunity to engage and change the society they inherited, CYPR will monitor progress, bring pressure to bear and help the nation stay the course whiles pressurising the government to deliver.

Furthermore, CYPR will produce a vision of what our country should look like 20 or 30 years from now. In February, the commission presented the first draft proposal of a set of actions to address the challenges we face in Ghana to all stakeholders involved.

CYPR is aware that the job of effectively meeting these challenges will rest mainly on the shoulders of the young men and women of our dear country.

On that basis, our youth will become empowered to set demands for a government that serves its interests and that is capable of winning and keeping their loyalty.

There is an agreement to create an open platform for continuing dialogue and reviewing of development effectiveness with the government, the shape of which will take form in our next phase of action in the coming months, we therefore encourage all to get involve in steering the change we need to see in our beloved country Ghana.

Please join the conversation on Facebook to get involved.

The year 2011 was challenging, yet very successful, in the initial stages of operation, WASEN experienced a number of problems, which adversely affected our performance and operation.

Deficiencies in timing have been the principal issue, but lower than expected co-operation and commitment have also contributed to the shortfall.

The net results was that, the first quarter saw WASEN significantly short of budget expectations and it was not surprising that this led to considerable concern of WASEN Management Board level.

This development led us to implement measures such as inclusive business models – sustainable, market based solutions that are commercially viable.

However, it is now apparent that the management of WASEN is coming to grips with the difficulties and managing the organization towards delivering measurable, impactful and scalable development to achieving expected outcome.

It is even more pleasing to note that the successive organization’s record of expectation is set to exceed for the first time ever.

The nearly indications are encouraging and we appear to have the potential to achieve a very high results and expectations come 2012.

In launching our new program for 2012, “Beyond Borders” we would like to welcome our newest Board of Governor, Dr. Kathleen Dapaah.

We recognize the important role she continues to play in advancing sustainable business models and markets to build long-term solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems societies face.

On behalf of the Management of WASEN and WBC, It is our pleasure to wish you the best of the festive season and actively engage you in policy dialogue and advocate around issues of national and global importance in 2012.

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Accra, Ghana; 28 August 2011: Four executives from West Africa Social Entrepreneurs Network (WASEN) Ghana have been accredited to attend the 2011 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group to participate in the Civil Society Policy Forum.

They are expected in Washington DC for the start of the Civil Society Policy Dialogues scheduled for September 21-24, 2011 during which they will participate and present on series of sessions with senior Bank and Fund officials.

WASEN is developing strategies, expanding networks, and devising cohesive agendas and collective action to bolster their access and impact in securing social, cultural, economic, and political rights on a global scale for Social Entrepreneurs.

The objectives are closely in-line with the Millennium Development Goal– Develop a Global Partnership for Development. West Africa Social Entrepreneurs Network, are in the process of partnering with businesses, CSO and government in order for us to come together to renew and give greater meaning to social entrepreneurship.

More emphasis would be placed on the barriers and challenges that constrain social entrepreneurs from maximizing their full potential and further explore the status of the vital contributions to their respective communities, and in shaping the features of participatory democracy.

For more information on West Africa Social Entrepreneurs Network in Ghana, please contact Eugenia Ross on info@wasenglobal.org.

“It’s hard to imagine a brighter future without Social Entrepreneurship”. Despite the challenges faced by Social Entrepreneurs, there is a growing recognition of their important role in developing robust economies in the world.

The West Africa Social Entrepreneurs Network (WASEN) is established to address the critical challenges faced by Social Entrepreneurs in the Sub-Saharan Africa.

The network aims to pair prospective Social Entrepreneurs with experts and investors to create viable Social Enterprises.

As part of the program, new reforms would be developed to further develop the self confidence, motivation and creative skills that are essential part of Social Entrepreneurship.

Another key priority area for WASEN is to launch various developmental programs for Social Entrepreneurs to promote private economic and social development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing a cross section of tertiary students in Accra Ghana, the founder and President of WASEN, Isaac Aggrey (Social Entrepreneur) emphasized the need “to provide Social Entrepreneurs with the right kind of advice, information and mentorship to help build successful Social Enterprises”.

He said the initiative would further create awareness, understanding and appreciation of Social Entrepreneurship in the West Africa region.

In his closing remarks, he encouraged every student and aspiring Social Entrepreneurs to register to become a member and tap into all the opportunities offered by WASEN.

There goes another blissful year. It’s been quite interesting year full of positive adventure. Many of us in the beginning of the year were trying to figure out whether we would be successfully; little did I know the year was going to move with a terrific speed.

I could still think back when I got to Europe and not sure whether I would be able to adapt – but being in paradise and one of the beautiful places on earth made it all possible.

Life in Europe enriched me with so much information, networking with different professionals, face-to-face communications with renowned professors lead me to reflect on my own personal accomplishments.

My time at IEDC-Bled School of Management was outstanding and been in an environment full of reflection, hard work and a positive way of life was a pure bliss.

The program was rich in content with an enviable world wide renowned faculty of professors.

The amazing journey afforded me the ability to network and reflects coherently on a wide range of complex challenges.

I am fully empowered and strongly feel I could support more and more young students in Africa who want to succeed in their quest.

My team always had the edge to succeed in all we do, in actual fact we all succeeded. We worked hard, we were creative, innovative and very persistent.

Though there were some notable adversities, we overcame them with our significant contribution. We took challenges head on and made them as opportunities; in all we had intrepid spirit!

I have developed a real hunger for success and can not wait to unleash it. Certainly, every step of the way has been a blessing. It was a huge and momentous milestone in the history of my life and feels proud of this adventurous journey.

Kudos to everyone who helped in making this year a success!!!

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We all felt the impact of the global economic downturn in 2009 yet we worked so hard to weather the storm by creating more opportunities for Women and Children.

Our plan for 2010 to 2015 is to bring Women around the globe together, encouraging the establishment of different pilot projects with developmental magnitudes.

We will create more interactive programmes with emphasis on integrated network support with high standards.

Our Trade Mission Project will be launched to promote the effort of Women already in business to explore international businesses.

Our headquarters location will be named and simultaneously support a lifelong effort to educate and provide programmes that builds our communities.

In conclusion, we look forward to the opportunity to connect with the world and share the joy of doing business together.

The year 2009 will go down in the annals as a memorable year. There were array of notable progress.

Yes, there were many progress, remarkable progress; and there were victories, sweet victories.

There were therefore little dark clouds here and there, but by and large, it was a rosy and glorious year.

The year began very well with the World Bank Institute as I joined other renowned world leaders on CSR course.

This provided me with the necessary tools and resources to engage with various stakeholders at different level.

It uniquely coincided with International Women’s day where emphasis was placed on Equality, Justice, Peace and Development.

Solidarity was expressed with women around the globe and they were strongly encouraged to vote, hold public office, fight discrimination and celebrate acts of courage and determination.

Another remarkable event was the global campaign for education. The YF Team in collaboration with University of the Western Cape, Department of Life Long Learning came strongly against illiteracy that has plagued our society. The campaign drew large crowd from the community and the surrounding schools.

It was all joy to see the YF reaching their goals honourably. Their noble gesture was therefore acknowledged with support from UWC and the World Pulse.

It was however, the UN award which brought greater glory and joy. The award ceremony which was organized by the Global Business School Network took place in Cape Town, South Africa during the World Economic Forum. It was regarded as the greatest award ceremony at all times.

It was a memorable occasion and much to our delight, I emerged victorious out of 150 applicants from Africa. Yes, it was certainly a sweet victory.

This big success brought benevolent financial grant to the tune of 45,000 Euros full scholarship to study in one of the best Management Schools in Europe.

The Louis Group and Stellenbosch University Business School Executive Development Programme came at the right time. The programme was simply fantastic and totally profiting. I enjoyed my vibrant group (G5) with their diversity of unique cultures and natural enthusiasm. The programme served as an entry level to my International Executive MBA studies in Europe.

Amidst every dark cloud is a light. If you keep your focus and look deeply enough, it would become crystal clear.

In conclusion, I feel highly delighted and proud of all these achievements. I grew from strength to strength, from victory to victory.

I thank all my Staff, the YF, Partners, Mentors, Sponsors for all the kind co-operation given me which went a long way in making 2009 a successful year.

The competition aims to bring exposure to the outstanding efforts of the winners and to connect them with stakeholders in a position to help them expand their businesses. To that end, Sukuma Afrika targets prime events to hold its yearly awards ceremony.

The 2009 Awards Ceremony was held at an Annual Conference of the Global Business School Network which brought the business community to focus on partnerships and specifically business schools as development partners. The roundtable was a side event to the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town on 9th June 2009.

It brought together leaders, managers, professors, scholars, investors, top business management schools, private and public sector worldwide to network and find novel approaches to capacitate in building up low income countries

Emphases were made on total educational experience in ensuring business schools and their products offered develop more accountable leaders.

The conversation also centred on the recent global crisis and the economic models needed to combat it.

Social entrepreneurship was the talk of the day as many of the leaders concluded is the best practice and the only antidote to solve the crisis. It taps into a deep vein of interest to ensure that more and more social entrepreneurs need to emerge.

Sukuma Afrika is established in recognition of the critical role young entrepreneurs and the Diaspora play in the fight against poverty as the generation that will be responsible for reaching the Millennium Development Goals in 2015. The competition encourages young people across Africa to engage in ventures with a social angle and is opened to African youth up to 35 y/o presenting a for-profit business model which contributes to one of the MDGs.

For more of the pictures about the competition, visit 1 globe

Well, I don’t just know where to start this. Shall I start congratulating myself or express my profound joy and excitement for a job well done.

This has been exciting, rewarding, and successful journey and I sincerely feel on top of the world and highly delighted about the immense success of my journey.

This was as a result of a monumental effort and it only takes a stamina seldom demanded heart to accomplish this.

There were lots of pitfalls and at times I feel grossly incapable. Reasons have been financial difficulties.

However, if all reasons for trials were lumped together, one significant factor stood out like a sore thumb – lack of necessary support.

A person will never succeed if he/she does not possess the artful skill of passion and the techniques of his/her profession, as well as fortitude, perseverance, and a positive mental attitude

A great deal of sacrifice gone into this and I have discovered the key to success – which is honesty, integrity, trust coupled with proper and valid credentials.

Any success that a person accomplishes is in direct proportion to the contribution he/she makes.

If your contribution is meager, so will be the reward. If your effort is average, average results will follow.

If your contribution is exceptional, things will seem to happen like miracles – but they will not be miracles.

Success will simply be a result of a proper and worthwhile effort and contribution.

To all those struggling to get things done, this is to help you in your quest to succeed, to advise you of the proper approaches that will make your campaign more productive, to help you fulfill your dreams and finally to prepare you for the processes that follow in your next level.

However, to remain in the limelight of success and popularity is not an easy thing. One must not rest on one’s oars. Yes, to be frank, I even slept in my office many times.

Let me take this opportunity to properly acknowledge the many hundreds of persons whose motivation made this possible. The result of your effort has opened a channel of wealth and prosperity to those in need. The greatest gift is your daily motivation and the sharing of experiences and knowledge. I dedicate this to my late mother who raised me and every single mother who goes to bed with a single meal.

Thanks to you ALL!!!!!!!!

Astonishing! Women Business Center have been selected out of a total of 150 applicants from Africa and handpicked out of the shortlist of 17 by top executive from MTV, The United Nations, Deloitte, Ogilvy, Junior achievement, African Youth Foundation, and Sekunjalo Investments.

The competition aims to bring exposure to the outstanding efforts of the winners and to connect them with stakeholders in a position to help them expand their businesses.

To that end, Sukuma Afrika targets prime events to hold its yearly awards ceremony.

The 2009 Awards Ceremony will be held at a Annual Conference of the Global Business School Network which invites the business community to focus on partnerships and specifically business schools as development partners.

This roundtable will be a side event to the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town on 9th June 2009.

Thanks to All who made it possible for Women Business Center.

Go to the Conference Page