Gifty Atampugbire, a final year MPH student, dedicated Public Health Nurse and TB Coordinator at the Public Health Department of the University of Ghana Medical Centre, is one of the 700 young African leaders participating in the prestigious 2023 edition of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, initiated by the United States of America.
The six-week programme, which started on 21st June, ended on 2nd August 2023.
The Young African Leaders, who are distributed across several universities in the USA, have been engaged in sessions and activities across four key thematic areas, including Entrepreneurship and the Public and Non-Profit Sector; Government and Governance; Topics in Leadership Development, Conflict Analysis, and Interest-Based Approaches; and Public Administration and Managing Change.
Speaking on her selection, Miss Atampugbire stated, "This is an extraordinary opportunity for me to enhance my leadership capabilities and foster relationships with other young leaders from around Africa. I view it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn and return home equipped to serve, making a positive difference in my nation and the public health sector."
She further urged young people to actively engage in making the world a better place, emphasizing the importance of proactively seeking solutions and taking action in the face of several societal challenges.
"Make sure you're not merely hoping for things to become better or waiting for someone else to repair things. Find out what's happening and devise a plan to make things better. Nothing good comes easy. We must all strive to make a difference in this world," she passionately remarked.
Due to her active participation in the fellowship so far, the Public Health Advocate has been awarded the Professional Development Experience (PDE). This award will see Miss Atampugbire head to Texas for another four weeks to be at the Texas Health and Human Service Commission in Austin, Texas, after completing six weeks of the leadership fellowship in New York.
According to her, the Professional Development Experience "is highly competitive, where all 700 fellows were asked to state why they deserve to be selected for the PDE. So, 100 people have been selected out of the 700 of us, and we get to stay and work in a company that aligns with our professional goals."
Miss Atampugbire expressed her gratitude for the exceptional opportunity to further develop her leadership skills and establish meaningful connections with fellow young leaders from across the continent.
The selection of Gifty Atampugbire, who doubles as a Leader of the Ambassadors of the University of Ghana Medical Centre Breastfeeding Friendly Hospital Initiative, for the 2023 edition of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, comes as a result of her years of outstanding community service as a public health nurse in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, prior to her relocation to the national capital, Accra.
During her time at the Municipal Health Directorate, she actively engaged with community members at market centres, providing vital health-related information. Notably, she led a team of nurses from Bolgatanga Municipality in conducting community sensitization campaigns during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Equipped with a face mask and a megaphone, Miss Atampugbire visited popular community centres, chiefs' palaces, Tindanmas, market centres, and schools to educate people on the virus's spread, protective measures, and the importance of eliminating the stigma surrounding infected individuals.
Her efforts extended to the airwaves, as she hosted a health programme called "Consulting Room" on Bolgatanga-based Dreamz FM, offering valuable health insights to residents.
Miss Atampugbire is extremely passionate about providing quality health information and bringing healthcare services to the doorstep of hard-to-reach communities, people living with disabilities, the elderly, and the youth.
Since 2007, she has founded two non-profit organizations (Public Health at Your Doorstep and Health Storm-GH) to spearhead public health campaigns that effectively disseminate disease-prevention information. Additionally, she has developed and implemented a comprehensive health intervention program aimed at preventing 'needless' deaths in the Upper East Region.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, a highly regarded program, specifically targets individuals aged between 25 and 35 who have made significant contributions to their communities and countries. Over the course of six weeks, the program, sponsored by the United States, affords fellows the opportunity to study at esteemed American colleges and universities, focusing on disciplines such as business, civic engagement, or public management.
Hearty Congratulations to Gifty Atampugbire.