DTI-A showcases 2025 achievements at annual impact event

Drive to Inspire – Africa, a non-governmental organisation that seeks to inspire and mentor young people, especially girls, to get them with opportunities that allow them to reach their potential and become real assets to their homes, communities and beyond, has showcased significant strides in youth empowerment, education and mentorship during its 2025 Annual Impact Reporting Event held in Accra, highlighting its growing influence across Ghana and the African continent.

Addressing stakeholders, partners and beneficiaries during the 2025 Annual Impact Reporting Event of Drive to Inspire Africa, held under the theme, “Building Africa’s Future, One Young Person at a Time,” at the Alisa Hotel North Ridge on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the Founder of the organisation, Nana Adjoa Hackman, outlined key milestones achieved over the past year, particularly in scholarship support, mentorship expansion and youth engagement.

She indicated that the organisation has maintained a strict funding model that ensures every scholarship beneficiary is fully supported throughout their academic journey before admission is granted.

According to her, this approach prevents situations where students are left stranded due to funding challenges, stressing that the organisation prioritises “peace of mind” for beneficiaries by securing full financial backing in advance.

She explained that the organisation remains deliberate and conservative in its scholarship intake, awarding opportunities based on available resources while expressing optimism that increased support would enable it to reach more students in the future.

Highlighting outreach efforts, Nana Adjoa Hackman disclosed that in 2025 alone, the organisation engaged more than 20,000 students across Ghana through its various programmes, including school visits and youth-focused initiatives.

She further revealed that the mentorship programme has recorded remarkable growth, expanding from 179 mentees in March 2025 to 351 mentees currently, with participation now spanning 22 countries.

She noted that the mentorship network, which initially began in Ghana and by March 2025 covered eight countries, has evolved into a continental platform connecting young people from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and shared learning.

In a notable shift, she added that the programme has begun incorporating young men, broadening its scope while maintaining its core focus on empowering young women.

She explained that the mentorship initiative includes structured activities such as monthly personal development webinars, which have gained popularity beyond the organisation’s immediate beneficiaries, attracting participants from across Africa.

According to her, the increasing participation in these sessions reflects a growing demand for accessible knowledge-sharing platforms and youth development opportunities on the continent.

Nana Adjoa Hackman also announced the introduction of new digital platforms aimed at enhancing skills development in areas such as personal growth, entrepreneurship, sales, trading and networking.

She emphasised that the overarching objective of these initiatives is to encourage young people to aim higher, build confidence, develop resilience and harness their creativity to solve real-world challenges.

She added that the organisation is intentionally creating safe spaces where young people can learn, make mistakes and grow, while bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Beyond programme achievements, she highlighted the increasing international demand for the organisation’s outreach model, revealing that requests have been received from countries such as Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya and Botswana.

She described the growing interest as “a good problem to have,” noting that the organisation is exploring ways to expand its footprint across the continent.

As part of its growth strategy, she called on individuals and institutions to support its initiatives by sponsoring scholarships, volunteering as mentors or speakers, or partnering in outreach programmes across schools and communities.

She also drew attention to the organisation’s “Built for More” initiative, which combines motivational campaigns with fundraising efforts, including the sale of branded merchandise to support beneficiaries.

Nana Adjoa Hackman used the occasion to express appreciation to partners and sponsors, singling out Alisa Hotel North Ridge for hosting the event for the second time.

She also acknowledged the contributions of Ghana Armed Forces for supporting outreach programmes, as well as Ghanaian musician Stonebwoy for using his brand and platform to support DTI-A to engage and inspire young people.

She further commended the organisation’s board, advisory council, staff and volunteers for their dedication and commitment to advancing its mission.

Reaffirming the organisation’s vision, Nana Adjoa Hackman stressed that empowering young people remains central to Africa’s transformation, adding that the organisation’s growing body of impact stories demonstrates the tangible change that targeted support can achieve.