Young people are the economic future of Ghana, and it is critical that they are given the opportunity to fulfill their true potential if they are going to make their contributions to the country. Helping them to achieve this is a young social enterprise, Studentshubgh, driven by a social entrepreneur, Afia Bobia Amanfo, with a big vision and the passion to match.
LoA found out more about this enterprising social entrepreneur making a difference to the lives of young people in Ghana.
What does your company do?
Studentshubgh is a youth empowerment social enterprise in Ghana. Our mission is to empower the next generation of African leaders through mentorship programs (African Future Leaders Fellowship), college preparation support for High School and Undergraduate students, scholarship search support, and career/entrepreneurship guidance programs.
Our mission is carried out through two main ways:
1. Education: We provide young people with relevant knowledge, resources and guidance to help them make the best decisions for their career, education and future. This we do through our popular youth magazine - The INSPIRER and through our blog - Studentshubgh.
2. Mentorship & Training: Through our Mentorship wing, headed by Belinda Akoto, ie The African Future Leaders Fellowship (http://africanfutureleaders.org/), we provide High School and Tertiary students with mentorship programs in career development, entrepreneurship, college preparation, digital skills training among others.
“I beIieve strongly in the God given potential of every young person and I also know first hand the limitations placed on young people in Africa.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I beIieve strongly in the God given potential of every young person and I also know first hand the limitations placed on young people in Africa. I have also come to see the importance knowledge and proper guidance can play in helping a young person attain higher levels of education and become more successful in the future. Many young people in Africa miss out on great career and educational opportunities simply because they do lack knowledge and a committed mentor. I believe that an intentional investment in guiding the young people of Africa to make better career and life decisions is crucial to ensuring that the better Africa we all dream about doesn't remain simply a dream.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We launched issue 6 of our youth Magazine, The INSPIRER, last month. This issue features the stories of four inspirational young Africans - Diana Wilson, Shadrack Osei Frimpong, Kwame Sekyi Bassaw and Francis Obirikorang among many other motivational and educational articles. Stories such as these help young people to also dream great dreams, rise above their backgrounds and achieve great feats. I encourage every young African with big dreams to subscribe to The INSPIRER (https://bit.ly/2oyJaLu)
Our mentorship programs are essential for young Africans as we prepare them in entrepreneurship, career development and also to access higher education. Our 2018 Tertiary cohort is ongoing at the moment and in the 1st quarter of next year, we will extend the program to High schools through partnership with selected High Schools in Ghana.
“I believe that an intentional investment in guiding the young people of Africa to make better career and life decisions is crucial to ensuring that the better Africa we all dream about doesn't remain simply a dream.”
Tell us a little about your team
Teamwork has been crucial to the growth and success of Studentshubgh so far. We are a young, dynamic and ambitious team with strong Christian values. We are driven in our work by our love for God and for people particularly our passion for the young people of Africa. Our editorial team is headed by Naana Essien, the editor and other members of the team include Peniella Doris Ampong, Rita Ofori Amponsah, Aseda Yeboah, Chikumbutso Chapusa, Nana Ofosu Boakye, Justice Nenyi Addai and Daniel Koomi Atimieku
Our mentorship wing( http://africanfutureleaders.org/) is headed by Belinda Akoto and supported by Michael Abban, Nana Ofosu Boakye, Julius Aseye and a team of professional mentors.
“Our mentorship programs are essential for young Africans as we prepare them in entrepreneurship, career development and also to access higher education.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I think I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship and more so for social entrepreneurship. I believe strongly that life should be lived in service of God and to make an impact in the lives of others through the gifts and talents God has given us. This is what inspires me, knowing I have one life to live, I am determined to live it to the fullest, making the most of my God-given abilities and starting new enterprises that will contribute to the new African narrative
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Whew - lots of plans! Our short-term plan is to make the organization sustainable through rebranding and printing for sale issues of the magazine. This will allow us to reach more schools and more youth with our mentorship programs and make greater impact.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I get satisfaction and fulfillment from helping others. Seeing the impact our mentoring program makes in the lives of the youth is great indeed. Also, getting good feedback from our readers on how various articles in the magazine have inspired them in one way or the other makes all the effort totally worth it.
What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
I will say don't sit on your idea forever and don't wait to be perfect. If the passion to start something is strong enough within you, go ahead and give it a go. Make sure you do good research on your idea and your target market and make sure to seek guidance from God if you are a believer. Don't expect overnight success but rather, be prepared to put in the long hours of work to make your idea a success. All the best!
Contact or follow Studentshubgh
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | EMAIL abamanfo@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
Africa’s future economic success depends on a new generation of young people who want to drive positive change, creating businesses and high impact social enterprises that make a real difference. Afia Bobia Amanfo is one such entrepreneur who thinks big, has the energy and the drive to turn her vision into action and who is destined to make things happen. She is a real inspiration to so many other young people on the African continent who want to play their part in driving a new and positive economic future where dreams are made real. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa