In a bold response to the growing need for youth mentorship in Ghana, over 100 final-year girls from St. Thomas Senior High School in Asamankese gathered for the first in-person session of the My Mentor, My Pal program, a year-long mentorship initiative designed to empower senior high school students through pen-pal style letter exchanges and interactive sessions with young professionals.

Organized by My Teen Life and Faith, Hope and Love (FHL) Group Africa, in partnership with AfriYAN Ghana and supported by UNFPA Ghana, the event featured an engaging lineup of speakers, one-on-one mentor sessions, and life-changing conversations under the theme, “From Dream to Reality: Charting Your Career Path.”

“Our goal is to raise confident young women who can navigate life with clarity, purpose, and self-worth,” said Esenam Amuzu, Founder of My Teen Life, in her opening remarks.

Awo Gyan, representing FHL Group Africa, added, “This program is about building intentional relationships that inspire growth and possibility. We’re proud to be shaping the next generation of leaders.”

Held at the Orange Loft, UNFPA Ghana Country Office, the session was anchored by seasoned mentors across diverse professions including entrepreneurship, medicine, academia, public health, and development work.

Commodore Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye-Boakye, Ghana Navy’s first female officer, delivered the keynote address, charging the girls to believe in their potential and take bold steps towards leadership.

She charged mentees to make use of opportunities at every given point in their lives and exude confidence in all they do.

 A Mentorship Experience Like No Other

Participants engaged in a plenary mentorship session facilitated by Michaela Wekem, Nelsie Addoh, Akosua Osei, Dr. Sonia-Amanda Ametume, and Angela Bortey, followed by dynamic Q&A segments, individual mentorship encounters, and talks on reproductive health and rights facilitated by Ms. Antoinette Da Rocha and Claudia Lawson, respectively.

The event was supported by UNFPA Youth Fellows, who facilitated critical sessions and shared personal journeys to motivate the students.

“The one-on-one sessions were the highlight for me. It was refreshing and I even learned from the girls. This experience will shape how I parent and how I involve my children in decision-making,” shared one mentor after the event.

“Kudos and a big congratulations to My Teen Life and FHL Group for a fantastic meetup. It was an awesome experience. Greater success ahead!” another mentor added.

 “Even though I couldn’t attend in person, video calling my mentee was such a blessing. This program is life-changing.”

Sharing her thoughts on the experience, Naa-Amy Wayne, Founder of FHL Group Africa, emphasized, “This program has proven how impactful and accessible mentorship can be, even virtually. Engaging with my mentee remotely reminded me that connection, consistency, and care can transcend physical presence and still deliver meaningful change.”

 Tackling Ghana’s Youth Development Gap Through Mentorship

My Mentor, My Pal was born out of a vision to address the mentorship deficit facing young Ghanaian girls, especially in under-resourced communities.

With increasing reports of teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, and limited career guidance, this initiative offers a transformative alternative, pairing mentees with relatable, accomplished mentors for a full academic year through regular bi-monthly letter exchanges and in-person meetups.

“This program has opened our eyes to new paths. I now believe more than ever that my dreams are attainable,” said one student, eyes beaming with excitement.

The headmistress of St. Thomas SHS, who gave the closing remarks, praised the initiative as “a timely intervention in grooming Ghana’s future young leaders.”

As the first cohort rounds up their year-long journey of personal development, skill acquisition, and goal setting, the organizers hope to replicate the model across other regions, scaling up what they call “a mentorship revolution for national transformation.”