Meet Maudlyn Akosua Awuku

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maudlyn Akosua Awuku. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with MAUDLYN AKOSUA below.

MAUDLYN AKOSUA, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Growing up in a suburban community near Accra, I learned early on that resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges – it’s about transforming them into stepping stones for growth and impact. My resilience stems from multiple sources that have shaped me into who I am today.

First and foremost, it comes from my early experiences as the firstborn and only daughter with three younger brothers. This role naturally thrust me into leadership, teaching me that responsibility and adaptability go hand in hand. When life presented obstacles, backing down wasn’t an option – not when others were looking to me for guidance and strength.

However, my resilience was truly tested when I faced two significant challenges that could have derailed my dreams entirely. The mysterious disappearance of my high school results threatened to end my educational journey prematurely. While watching my peers advance to university, I found myself at a crossroads. Then, as if this wasn’t challenging enough, I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy at a young age – a condition that paralyzed half of my face and shook my self-confidence to its core.

These experiences could have become barriers, but instead, they became the foundation of my resilience. The cruel comments about my “gangster smile” and being told not to smile in graduation photos could have broken my spirit. Instead, they ignited a determination to prove that our challenges don’t define us – our response to them does.

My resilience is also fueled by the transformative power I’ve witnessed in my work. Every time I see a young woman from a marginalized community discover her potential through our programs at Anijie Global Foundation, it reinforces my commitment to persevere. When I witness our beneficiaries overcoming their own obstacles – whether it’s completing their education despite period poverty or launching their own businesses despite limited resources – it reminds me why giving up isn’t an option.

But perhaps most importantly, my resilience comes from a deep understanding that every obstacle we overcome becomes a bridge for someone else. When I stand before audiences today, sharing my journey from facing educational setbacks to speaking at the UK Parliament, or from struggling with facial paralysis to becoming a TEDx speaker, I’m reminded that our resilience isn’t just for ourselves – it’s a beacon of hope for others.

I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about being unbreakable; it’s about having the courage to piece yourself back together, stronger than before. It’s about transforming personal challenges into platforms for positive change. This understanding has driven me to create organizations that have now impacted over 30,000 lives, turning my own experiences of adversity into opportunities for others to thrive.

In essence, my resilience comes from knowing that every challenge we face has the potential to become someone else’s inspiration. As I often say in my leadership training sessions: our scars tell the story of our strength, and our struggles become the foundation of our impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Through Anijie Global Foundation , I lead initiatives focused on gender equality, youth empowerment, and climate action. Our work spans leadership development, educational support, and sustainable community initiatives.
I also lead GEWE Network specifically supports Black African, Ethnic Minorities (BAME), and underrepresented young women in taking up leadership roles in politics and civic participation. We focus on intersectional gender equality and creating pathways for women to be rightfully represented in decision-making positions.

Anijie Global Foundation, our youth-led NGO in Ghana, has already empowered over 30,000 beneficiaries through various programs:
– Providing sanitary supplies to help girls stay in school during menstruation
– Climate action initiatives engaging youth in environmental sustainability
– Leadership and mentorship training across Ghana
– Vocational training creating entrepreneurship opportunities, especially for persons with disabilities
– Distribution of 5,000 exercise books to over 40 schools in marginalized communities

What makes our work special is our LEGIT principle approach:
– LEADing with purpose
– EMPOWERing others
– GROWing through resilience
– INSPIring and
– TRANSFORMing lives

Recent developments and upcoming initiatives:
– Expansion of our mentorship program to reach more rural communities
– New partnerships for climate action projects
– Launch of additional vocational training centers
– Upcoming leadership summit for young women in politics
– Enhanced focus on technology skills development for youth

Recognition of our impact includes the NGO of the Year Award, Young Achievers Award at the UK Parliament, and being named among the Forty Under 40 influential young leaders in the UK. These accolades help amplify our message and expand our reach to support more beneficiaries.

Our vision extends beyond individual empowerment – we’re building a movement that transforms communities by unlocking the potential of marginalized youth and women. We believe in creating sustainable change through education, leadership development, and economic empowerment.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Adaptive Leadership
– Started as the eldest child leading siblings
– Evolved through volunteer work to leading international organizations
– Developed ability to navigate different cultural contexts from Ghana to UK
Advice: Begin with small leadership roles in your community or school. Take on volunteer positions that stretch your capabilities. Document your learning experiences and actively seek feedback.

2. Resilient Mindset
– Overcame educational setbacks and health challenges
– Transformed personal struggles into motivation for helping others
– Built persistence through continuous self-improvement
Advice: Start viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. Set small, achievable goals to build confidence. Create a support network of mentors and peers who encourage your development.

3. Strategic Vision
– Identified gaps in youth and women’s empowerment
– Created sustainable solutions through Anijie Global Foundation and GEWE Network
– Scaled impact from local to international level
Advice: Study your community’s needs deeply. Start with pilot projects to test your ideas. Build partnerships and document impact data. Focus on sustainable, scalable solutions rather than quick fixes.

For those early in their journey: Remember that these qualities develop through practice and persistence. Start where you are, use what you have, and build gradually. Focus on making impact in your immediate sphere of influence before expanding outward.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, we actively seek collaborations in these areas:

1. Youth & Women’s Organizations
– Focus on gender equality, education, and leadership development
– Interest in joint programs and knowledge sharing
– Potential for cross-cultural initiatives

2. Climate Action Partners
– Environmental sustainability projects
– Youth engagement in climate solutions
– Resource sharing for greater impact

3. Corporate & Academic Institutions
– Mentorship programs
– Skills development initiatives
– Research partnerships

4. Funding Organizations
– Support for expanding successful programs
– Sustainable development initiatives
– Impact investment opportunities

Connect via:
Email: maudlynawuku@gmail.com
Website: www.maudlynakosuaawuku.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maudlyn-akosua-awuku/
Phone: +44(0)7586802731

We particularly welcome partners who share our commitment to sustainable community development and youth empowerment.

Contact Info:

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