Profile
Celebrating youth excellence …summary profile of some FortyUnder40 achievers
Ms. Eunice Mawuena Kloe is a 23-year-old Social Entrepreneur who topped the Social Enterprise category. Before graduating from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2020, she was a Junior Ambassador of Trade at the World Trade Centre Association Foundation in 2018 and worked on Community Development Projects in over six communities of Ghana. As the team President of Enactus KNUST, the Project ‘Reecoplast’ won the Ford C3 Grant of $3000. In 2019, she was awarded Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year by Total Petroleum, Ghana — an award which came with a GH¢ 90,000 business expansion funding. She is the Co-Founder of BidiGreen Ghana Limited, a company that positively contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13. Her eco-friendly agro waste sourced charcoal product is helping save lives and putting an end to deforestation. As the Project Development Assistant of a World Bank-funded project, she helps drive entrepreneurship and innovation by addressing some development challenges such as sustainability, poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Mawuena is a Jim Leech MasterCard Fellow and the Senior Project Director at the Inclab Foundation, an organisation championing entrepreneurship and encouraging young graduates and individuals to explore a career in entrepreneurship.
Mr. Isaac Kofi Nketiah took home the ultimate prize in Agriculture category. He is the Co-founder of Shamfield Ventures, a fast growing pineapple export company. He partnered a friend to go into pineapple farming after several attempts to land a job in the petroleum sector proved futile. The company owns over 20 acres of pineapple plantation with over 50 workers. The farm creates direct and indirect jobs for a lot of young people in the Pokrom community and its environs. It again provides assistance to individuals who have the passion for farming but lack the technical know-how or capital.
Nana Owusu Odum emerged victorious in the Agro-processing category. He is described as a versatile, focused and visionary leader. He is a Strategist and Financial Analyst with extensive experience in oil and gas as well as the food industry for over a decade. He has led the successful initiating, planning and execution of the brand visibility and revenue generation of the Sankofa brand and is equipped with skill for engaging stakeholders across multiple industries. He has employed about 10 porters who serve as support for transporting Sankofa products when they get to various markets.
Valerie Lawson stood out in the Beauty and Lifestyle category. She has 11 years experience in the beauty industry. Valerie was appointed Artistic Director of Maybelline NY, first appointment to be given a Ghanaian and had since gained global recognition and won multiple awards. She is the creator of ‘The Makeup Masterclass’ designed to educate, empower existing makeup artists to better their skills as artists while equipping them with tools to turn their passion and skill into thriving business.
Wedam Kadoa Rhoda is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Song-Ba Empowerment Centre. She defeated other nominees in the Community Development category. With over five years experience in Social Enterprising, she focuses on supporting women/girls who have no formal education to identify decent sources of livelihoods. Through her projects, she has empowered 10 girls who are currently masters on their own in smock weaving and sewing. In 2018, she emerged the overall best female SDGs Achiever at the Africa Youth Summit held in Accra, Ghana. Rhoda intends to create at least one Empowerment Centre in each of the 16 regions of Ghana to enable her to reach out to more women and girls through her projects.
Mr. Michael Asiedu is a multiple award winning businessman in the travel and tourism industry. Born in December 1988, he graduated from the University of Cape Coast with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Geography. He again holds Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is the Founder and CEO of Rebirth Travel and Tours, a company focused on providing high quality travel and tour services in Ghana and beyond. With eight years experience in tourism marketing, Mr. Asiedu continues to promote domestic tourism and has helped most hotels to increase sales through his marketing strategies and bookings. These and other achievements earned him the top prize in this category.
IN the annals of Ghana’s sporting history, certain individuals stand out not merely for participating in sport, but for transforming it.
Rev. Emmanuel D. Niikoi is one such figures. Revered as the father of modern netball in Ghana, is widely credited with rescuing the game from near extinction and transforming it into a vibrant, structured and nationally recognised sports discipline.
His journey reflects vision, resilience and an unwavering commitment to youth and sports development.
Netball was introduced to the then Gold Coast by Christian missionaries alongside formal education. By the 1960s and early 1970s, the sport had gained remarkable popularity in schools and colleges, ranking second only to football and, in some institutions, rivaling it in appeal.
However, during the 1974/75 academic year, the Ghana Education Service (GES) took a policy decision to step down netball in favour of basketball development. The decision dealt a severe blow to the sport.
Between 1975 and 1985, competitive netball virtually disappeared from Ghana’s sporting calendar.
That decision of the GES can be blamed for the current state of the sports that is producing heroines across the globe.
The revival of the game can be traced to 1985 during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
At the time, Rev. Niikoi was serving as Chief Editor (News) in the Radio Newsroom. Understanding both the historical importance and untapped potential of netball, he championed the inclusion of a netball tournament as part of the anniversary celebrations. The event reignited public interest and reminded many of the sport’s former glory.
Crucially, Rev. Niikoi did not allow the momentum to fade after the festivities. The GBC netball team formed for the tournament, aptly named “Golden Hands,” became the cornerstone of a national revival campaign.
With determination and personal sacrifice, he led tours across the country, using the team as a practical training platform.
He personally taught sports teachers under the GES the official rules of netball, reintroduced structured competition, and restored confidence in the sport’s viability.
These efforts culminated with the formation of the Netball Association of Ghana in 1988, now known as the Netball Federation of Ghana.
In 1990, the association gained formal recognition from the National Sports Authorities, previously known as the National Sports Council (NSC), restoring netball’s status as an official sporting discipline.
This milestone marked the rebirth of organised netball in Ghana and cemented Rev. Niikoi’s place as founder of the national governing body.
Revival soon transitioned into consolidation. Over the years, Rev. Niikoi consistently lobbied educational and sports authorities to reintegrate netball into major school competitions.
His advocacy led to the sport’s reintroduction into the National Basic Schools Sports Festival, the Senior High and Technical Schools Sports Festival, the Colleges of Education games, and competitions under the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA).
Today, netball is played across the entire educational structure in Ghana, from basic schools to public universities, a testament to his sustained and strategic efforts.
On the continental and global front, Ghana is a full member of World Netball and was a founding member of the Confederation of Africa Netball Associations (CANA), now Africa Netball.
In 2004, Ghana hosted the inaugural Africa Netball Cup of Nations in Accra and emerged champions after defeating Namibia in the final. The victory not only boosted Ghana’s sporting image but also validated years of groundwork.
In 2007, Rev. Niikoi was elected Director of Marketing and Media for CANA, serving a four-year term and contributing to the sport’s development across the continent.
In 2019, following governance reforms required by the International Olympic Committee to lift sanctions related to state interference in sports administration, national federations were mandated to adopt independent constitutions. Under this new framework, the Netball Federation of Ghana successfully drafted its constitution and conducted elections.
On June 19, 2019, Rev. Niikoi was elected the federation’s first President under the independent constitutional order which is symbolic and deserved recognition of decades of service.
Beyond netball administration, Rev. Niikoi also served two terms spanning eight years from March 2018 to March 2025 as an Executive Board Member of the Ghana Olympic Committee.
His presence on the board ensured that netball maintained visibility within Ghana’s broader Olympic movement.
A Bachelor of Arts graduate in Combined Honours (History and Law), Rev. Emmanuel D. Niikoi has trained numerous coaches and umpires nationwide, strengthening the sport’s technical foundation and ensuring sustainability.
His leadership style combines administrative discipline with grassroots engagement, making him both a strategist and a mentor.
From dormancy to dynamism, the resurgence of netball in Ghana bears his unmistakable imprint. Through advocacy, institution-building and capacity development, Rev. Niikoi has secured a lasting legacy.
Today, every netball match played in Ghana, whether at a basic school court or a university festival stands as living testimony to his vision and perseverance.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
AUTISM Awareness Care and Training (AACT) is Ghana’s first autism-focused centre, playing a pioneering role in the care, education, and advocacy for children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Established in 1998, AACT began as a parent-support and training initiative at a time when autism was poorly understood in Ghana. Many families raising autistic children faced stigma, isolation, and limited access to information or professional assistance.
Over the years, the organisation has evolved into a full-fledged autism care and training centre, responding to the growing demand for specialised services and sustained nationwide awareness.
AACT is currently located in Haatso, Accra, where it operates a structured day programme serving about 25 learners daily. The centre provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children with autism are guided to develop essential life, social, and functional skills.
Programmes at the centre focus on independent living skills, vocational and pre-vocational training, functional academic skills, and therapeutic interventions. These activities are tailored to the individual needs of each learner, recognising that children on the autism spectrum learn and develop at different paces.
According to Abeiku Grant, Head of Programmes at AACT, the centre’s philosophy is centred on ability rather than limitation.
“Every autistic child is different,” he said. “Our work is to support them at their own pace and help them discover what they can do, not to focus on what they cannot do.”
Beyond centre-based services, AACT places strong emphasis on autism awareness and advocacy, particularly within schools and communities. Many children with autism in Ghana continue to face rejection and exclusion due to stigma, misinformation, and the lack of trained personnel in educational institutions.
In 2025, AACT reached over 20 schools across the country, providing autism education to teachers, students, and school administrators.
The organisation also runs free teacher training programmes, equipping educators with practical knowledge and basic tools to support autistic learners in inclusive classroom settings.
“Many schools tell us they are not resourced or trained to handle autistic learners,” Mr Grant explained. “Instead of waiting for change, we decided to go to them and train teachers for free.”
AACT also engages learners directly, addressing widespread misconceptions about autism, including the false belief that autism is contagious or caused by bad parenting. These outreach programmes aim to build empathy among students and promote peer support for autistic learners in mainstream schools.
Another major challenge confronting families is limited access to autism services, especially outside Accra. With most autism centres concentrated in the capital, many families from other regions are forced to travel long distances or keep their children at home due to cost, stigma, or lack of support.
“Education is not meant only for typical children,” Mr Grant stressed. “Children with autism also have the right to education and care. No child should be hidden because of lack of understanding or opportunity.”
As part of its outreach work, AACT supports parents to overcome stigma and encourages social interaction for children with autism, believing that community engagement is essential for development and confidence building.
In December 2025, the centre received what it described as its largest donation of the year, raised by children from the Unmasked Mentoring initiative. According to the organisation, the donation was particularly significant as it demonstrated empathy and social responsibility among young people.
As a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, AACT depends largely on donations, partnerships, and goodwill to sustain and expand its work. Current needs include a minibus for community-based social activities, expansion of its facility to accommodate more learners, sponsorship support for children from financially challenged families, and funding to scale autism awareness programmes nationwide.
Looking ahead, AACT envisions a Ghanaian society that is inclusive, informed, and supportive of persons with autism.
“Our goal is a Ghana where children with autism are accepted and supported,” Mr Grant said. “Every child has potential. All they need is understanding, opportunity, and care.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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