Thirteen young Ghanaian professionals, aged
between 21 and 35 have graduated from the Young Impact Associates (YIA)
Program, a one-year professional development and leadership program in
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). The graduation ceremony was held at
the main campus of Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated
Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) in Wa, Upper West Region.
Inspired
by the late Ghanaian thought leader in the MEL and International Development
sectors, Sulley Gariba, the Mastercard Foundation launched the YIA Program in
2022, with the aspiration to engage and inspire a new and dynamic generation of
young African professionals to transform the Impact Measurement field.
The
first phase of the YIA Program was collaboratively developed by the Mastercard
Foundation Impact Team and its Impact Partner Organizations (IPOs) in five
Young Africa Works strategy countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, and
Nigeria). The first cohort of 59 Young Impact Associates from the five
countries is approaching graduation over the coming months, with the Ghanaian
cohort being the first to graduate.
Ultimately,
the program aims to help the YIA program participants access dignified and
fulfilling work opportunities in the field of MEL, shape the MEL debate, and
promote a practice that puts young people with MEL knowledge at the centre of
development communities in Ghana, and Africa as a whole.
The
Mastercard Foundation’s partnership with Participatory Development Associates
(PDA) and SDD-UBIDS involved the design, management, and delivery of the YIA
program’s one-year training curriculum, integrating context-relevant Impact
theory and practice, leadership development, and on-the-job experience. The
Young Impact Associates were selected through a rigorous, competitive, and
public process ensuring inclusivity by encouraging persons with disabilities,
those from vulnerable groups, and women to apply.
Over
the course of the multi-disciplinary program, the Young Impact Associates had
the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in core development
areas, which include fundamentals of MEL; design and management of evaluations;
data management and analysis; Made-in-Africa evaluation principles; soft skills
and interpersonal practice; and professional development and understanding of
the job market.
Speaking
at the graduation ceremony, Edem Agbe, Team Lead for the Impact Partner
Organisation, PDA, said: “The program has
paved the way for impacting the lives of young people in Ghana in a way that
matters by providing the skills and experience for a sustainable career in
evaluation. As partners with the Foundation, we are very proud of each YIA and
we look forward to all that we will achieve together in the MEL space.”
The
Pro-Vice-Chancellor of SDD-UBIDS, Prof. Emmanuel K. Derbile, who also chaired
the event, presented executive certificates to the Young Impact Associates on
behalf of the university with each Associate individually recognized for their
accomplishments.
Letlotlo
Morayo Gariba, who spoke on behalf of the Gariba family, shared her
reflections, wisdom, and insights with the graduates, encouraging them to
embrace their roles as future African and global Impact leaders. A plaque was
presented to Mrs. Neo Gariba and family to commemorate the expansive work of
Sulley Gariba.
In
speaking about the program and curriculum, the Program Coordinator at
SDD-UBIDS, Prof. Frederick Dayour said, “The
Young Impact Associates Program curriculum was specifically designed and
interlaced with theoretical and practical contents aimed at addressing specific
gaps and needs within the Ghanaian environment, and the African continent at
large. The gaps identified included opportunities to explore and train young
professionals in the application of Indigenous or African-led evaluation
techniques in evaluation practice. The YIA MEL program has afforded the YIAs
ready-to-work skills in the MEL space and I believe they will have a better
competitive edge in the job market having gone through a cutting-edge
curriculum in MEL via the program.”
Salma
Salisu, one of the program graduates, said “The
YIA program has been a blessing and the journey has been very impactful, most
especially the internship and mentorship programs at the various organizations
we worked with. I intend to impart the knowledge and skills I have gathered so
far with other young people interested in this field as I gain more experience
working with organizations to promote accountability in the development
sector.”
Antonio
Capillo, Director of MEL Innovation and Impact Labs at the Mastercard
Foundation, added that “The Young Impact
Associates (YIA) Program was launched to prepare and inspire a new and dynamic
generation of young African professionals to innovate and lead the transformation
of the impact field by placing youth, their communities, and partners at the
core of how we understand, measure, and enable impact at scale. We wish the
young graduates the very best in their journey and anticipate their leading
impact on the continent.”
By:
Kanto Okanta