The year has finally come to an end. Since last year, I do a recap on how my year has been – with focus on highlights!
This year has been an interesting one – the good, the bad and the rest! But guess what, so far as God is on his throne, we will be alright! (This I believe and will ALWAYS uphold)
I will be doing my highlights in pictures – ENJOY!
TRAVEL
Of course I travelled, but not to as many countries I wanted but above all, we are grateful to God.
Top of them all is my BIRTHDAY TRIP – I plan this religiously EVERY YEAR. This year, I spent my birthday in a non-European country for the FIRST TIME. As usual, it was FUN and tiring at the same time – but we only focus on the positives! I got to see so many beautiful places and I wish I could share more pictures but this is me on my birthday on the 4th October 🙂.
I was in Paris, France in January – I wanted somewhere to chill for the New Year and I was like Paris, here I come. I have been to Paris before (in 2017) but did not have the opportunity to take lots and nice pictures like I always do – there’s a reason for that. Besides, I got the chance to meet up with a childhood friend I had not seen in over a decade!
I can’t go to Paris without visiting some of the famous places there – stay with me 🙂
At the end of February, I took a trip down to Northampton to see my friend, Elsie :). Hadn’t seen her in about a year so I was excited to have done this – to catch up and spend some good time with her.
I went to Cambridge (again) in July – this time round with good weather (so I went on punting) and got the opportunity to walk around the city and enjoy the sun of course.
I received an invitation to attend the Doha Forum: Youth Edition & Doha Forum in Qatar in December- a very surprising invitation! I have been to Qatar before (in 2016 for a Research Conference at the Qatar University) but I don’t remember taking much pictures so this time round, I was like BRING IT ON! Both conferences were great – but I enjoyed the youth edition a bit more because it was intimate but I also got to learn more from the main forum and meet dignitaries from all over the world – always a good idea to get these contacts! Doha is STUNNING – particularly the architecture and how well kept the city is. I enjoyed exploring the city outside conference hours and will definitely love to visit again!
OTHER MATTERS ARISING!
This year, I transitioned from being an activist to a leader/co-founder in an SDGs focused and youth focused not for profit with a fellow activist, Lemona Chanda. Lemona and I were community leaders with the ONE Campaign (UK) when she approached me with this idea some time in August 2023 – after months of strategising, jumping on calls among others, we birthed Global Activists Network. This has to be my BIGGEST achievement this year because I have dreamt of leading my own organisation within international affairs and it happened just at the right time! (when I wrapped up my volunteering/active activism this year – FINALLY!). Having been doing this for about a year, it has been a blissful one so far – with lots of learning on the job and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Another big highlight of the year for me was working with GUBA Foundation as a consultant for their ‘Autism I am Not a Stigma’ project. I am grateful for this opportunity especially as I have an autistic brother and also had the opportunity to work with parents and carers of autistic individuals. This role has given me the opportunity to share my story and also coordinate our programs (in person & virtual) such as Autism Walk, Autism Awareness Exhibition, speaking on the King Obed podcast to reach a wider audience in order to destigmatize autism within ethnic minority groups across London among others. We have delivered sessions across different parts of London, supported parents with the needed resources and liaised with different charities within the autism space towards destigmatizing autism within ethnic minority communities. I am looking forward to making more impact with this project and by God’s Grace giving the needed help and support to children on the autism spectrum and parents/carers as well. Thank you GUBA for the opportunity – especially to Lady Dentaa Amoateng, Founder, GUBA Foundation & Yvonne Abba-Opoku, Co-Chair & Trustee, GUBA Foundation.
I also spoke at two sessions in the month of January, at IRUKA’s Changemakers’ session on the topic ‘How to be an Effective Changemaker’ and on NG Youth SDGs Twitter Space on International Education Day on the topic, ‘Learning for Lasting Peace’. I enjoyed doing these and look forward to more speaking engagements (paid ones of course).
I was selected as a Social Media Ambassador by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) where I had the opportunity to create content on GLF events to my social media audience and beyond – I remember applying for this programme and not getting accepted in 2021 and two years later, it was a YES! I also got the opportunity to host a twitter space prior to the GLF Africa Summit in Nairobi with climate experts. Steadily improving on my hosting/public speaking skills!
Some time in March, I attended a fundraising event by my MP, Richard Burgon (Leeds East) who has been a key part of my campaigning journey since I joined ONE in 2017. Of course, I felt obligated to go out and support him which I did 🙂 and he won the elections subsequently in July! Congratulations Richard!
Towards the end of March, I was on the ‘King Obed Podcast’ where I shared my activism journey, the numerous campaigns I have worked on with different organisations including the ONE Campaign, Restless Development, Christian Aid among others. Talking about my experience made me realise the amazing work I had done over the years and why I can finally hang my boots this year and focus on other things. You can give it a listen here.
Towards the end of April, I relocated. Over the past few years, I have been a resident of Leeds (where I went to university as well) and for some time now, I have always wanted to move but finally I have had the opportunity to do so and I am grateful. The circumstances surrounding this move was quite interesting but God being God, HE always comes through – through solid friendships I have been blessed with which I am forever grateful for! Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING!
Seven years ago, I won the ‘Women 4 Africa’ Young Achiever of the Year award. Fast forward to 2024, I was invited to their 10th year anniversary celebration which included an Empowerment Summit & Awards ceremony which I was privileged to attend both – reconnecting with old faces and meeting new people.
I was selected as a Storytelling Fellow by the 50 percent where we shared stories of our different paths/journeys with each other – using storytelling as a tool for social change/good. As part of the fellowship, I delivered a presentation on my activism journey from 2017 till date and also wrote three articles on three different topic areas I am passionate about; my activism journey, child trafficking & its impact on girls’ education & the #Bringbackourgirls campaign.Thank you 50 percent for the opportunity!
I was selected as a Mentor for the Inspire Her Afrika Mentorship programme where I mentored a young African woman (like myself) in navigating career paths, building & improving key skills needed in today’s competitive world. I was also on their podcast later on where I shared my activism journey to inspire and encourage other young people to take action regarding causes they are passionate about. Ultimately, I won the Mentorship Spirit Award at the end of the programme owing to my dedication and resilience in supporting mentees during the course of the programme.
In June, I represented ONE UK at the Results UK Summer Gathering where I interacted with other changemakers from different charities – having conversations on diverse global issues ranging from global health, education, climate change among others. It is always a pleasure to have these conversations and see how we can collectively use our voices for change in society.
Later that month, I met the new CEO & President of ONE with other activists where we got to hear from her in terms of her vision for ONE in the next couple of years and in the short term & of course it is always a good time to catch up with fellow activists.
Later that month, I was at the University of Cambridge for the celebratory event of the ‘Key Essentials: The Sustainable Development Goals and the Law’ course which I took thanks to the scholarship given by the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice at the Lucy Cavendish & Hughes Hall colleges at the University of Cambridge. Though the weather didn’t quite go in our favour, we still got to celebrate and interact with fellow coursemates. A pleasure to always be in the midst of great minds.
Prior to the elections in July, I attended my first ever election hustings where I got the opportunity to hear from PPCs (Prospective Parliamentary Candidates) in the Luton area and their plans for the constituency area should they win the elections. I found it insightful and knowledgeable – I got the opportunity to interact with one of the PPCs, from the Liberal Democrats Party 🙂
A day after the elections in July, I was selected as part of the audience for the BBC question time in London (first time on TV) where I got the opportunity to hear from representatives from political parties. It became heated at one point (as it always is when it comes to politics). I got to ask my question concerning the UK’s investment in global issues like climate change and other global issues that affect young people mostly however, it didn’t quite get answered. After the session, I was interviewed by the BBC team where I shared my thoughts on how I found the event.
Later on in July, I got an invitation to speak at the WACUNA (Women Advisory Council, United Nations Association) UK’s webinar on the topic ‘The power of Advocacy & Campaigning in Creating Social Impact’. This opportunity was through the co-founder of GAN and my friend Lemona who is a member of the executive council. I enjoyed sharing my journey again with a group of diverse women working towards women empowerment and on important issues that affect women.
In July, I volunteered with Hungry for Action as part of their #EmptyPlates campaign to distribute empty plates in London Central (Kings Cross to be precise) as part of their campaign to raise awareness about global hunger (733 million people in the world go to bed hungry currently). I did this with other ONE activists and other activists from other partner charities.
In August, I attended the 25th Year anniversary celebration of Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu in London. As the Ashanti girl that I am, I just wanted to experience the culture a bit more as I have not attended any of the Ashanti festivals so far (I hope to one day). I saw Otumfuo from a distance (as he was surrounded by lots of people) in all his glory. The event was full of speeches, which got boring at some time point, but I am glad I went.
In September, I was invited to speak at the Bristol Law School to first year students on the topic ‘A Career in Human Rights Advocacy’. I shared my activism journey with them including the highlights, lows, challenges and transitioning to co-founding Global Activists Network and ended with some tips and advice for students wanting to go into the advocacy field. I got this invitation thanks to fellow activist, Michelle Kafe – thank you girl!
Towards the end of September, I received a surprise birthday gift from my sis and bro (Mr & Mrs Arku) before jetting off for my birthday celebration! THANK YOU GUYS!
Shortly after my birthday in October, I was shortlisted for the UN Women UK Awards 2024 in the Outstanding Grassroots Campaigner category. This was a surprise and something I hadn’t prepared for but of course, your girl had to show up. I did not win but I was honoured to have made the shortlist and of course to celebrate with other women activists making a tremendous impact towards gender equality and of course the incredible work and impact of the UN Women UK.
Being a lover of good things (the reason why I always want to have money), I took myself on a date to Prada Caffe in London at the beginning of November – because why not! I forgot about the prices and had a good time. I dressed up and showed up and of course brought home some Prada goodies with me!
In November, I wrapped up my engagement with the ONE Campaign as a community leader – where I received my ‘Certificate of Achievement’ from the CEO & President of ONE, Ndidi Nwuneli Okonkwo and UK Executive Director of ONE, Adrian Lovett – done and dusted – now I can focus on Global Activists Network!
Through my role as a ONE community leader, I was awarded a place on the Official Development Assistance course proudly sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation & One Young World where I got to learn more about what foreign aid entails and how Africa especially can position itself well to stop relying on the west – break the white saviour curse. I recorded a video after going through the course :). Thank you ONE!
In November, I attended GUBA Awards’ 15th anniversary – as a GUBA Foundation consultant working on the Autism I am Not a Stigma project. Got the opportunity to talk to attendees about the project and encourage them to make donations to enable us to accelerate impact.
Shortly after the anniversary event, I went to the Odeon Greenwich cinema for the London premiere of Shirley Frimpong Manso’s ‘Two of a Kind’ – my first time in the cinema in YEARS! It was a beautiful film and it was a delight to meet and take photos with some of the women I adore and of course, I had the opportunity to take a selfie with the ICONIC Rita Dominic! (My year is MADE!)
I completed my time as a Global Youth Ambassador with TheirWorld and earned a badge!
I concluded my mentoring session on the Nurturing Talent Mentoring Scheme at my alma mata – University of Leeds, where I had the opportunity to mentor a second year student at the Leeds University Business School – having benefited from this scheme when I was a student, I felt it was only right to give back.
DETTY DECEMBER
I didn’t really do anything for Christmas – I always maintain Christmas was nicer when we were kids. The only memorable thing I did was visiting the infamous Sky Garden towards the end of December to have a lunch date in one of the restaurants there with my friend and co-founder, Lemona, to catch up and celebrate the year thus far! Because why not?
I wish I could go to Ghana but I couldn’t – fingers crossed for next year!
I hope you enjoyed reading how my 2024 went. I am grateful to God for everything – there were some unanswered prayers, but I choose to focus on what I have – being alive, having good health and being able to pursue my dreams (I do not take it for granted!). I wish you a happy new year and may 2025 be kinder to all of us and more than what we expected.
See you soon with another post!
Gertrude says...... 