This is a presentation by Dr. Wilfred Elegba. He is a Research scientist at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) in Ghana. He is also the Lead Consultant at the Partnerships for Collaboration in Education consultation firm and an alumni ambassador of the Clinton Global Initiative University. In this webinar, he: - Highlights some major challenges Africa faces as a continent. - Describes role(s) professionals from Africa and the African Diaspora can play in stimulating progress. - Highlights competencies that professionals possess and can contribute for development. - Outlines how one can initiate or participate in capacity-building projects. - List possible ways we can bring about change in mindsets. - List some funding sources available for executing progress-oriented projects in Africa.

1. Contributing to progress in Africa;
leading by example
Wilfred Elegba, PhD
Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI)
Accra, Ghana.
African Professionals for Progress (APP)
19th January 2020
Lead consultant
Partnerships for Collaboration in Education (PCE)

2. African Professionals for Progress (APP)
Background - In 2015….
• African Professionals for Progress: a network of highly skilled and
trained individuals from Africa, the Diaspora and Afro-
Descendants.
• Aim: To create and maintain a strong and vibrant professional
network in order to participate in each other's career
development and push forward the African Intelligentsia globally.

3. African Professionals for Progress
Consultant
Law
Lecturer
Marketing
Analyst
Researcher
Finance
Science
Architecture
Water Management
Communication

4. Think Tank and Professional
Development
This group aims at offering a space
for debates that will allow
transformative ideas to emerge. This
group should also help all its
members to attain their personal
and professional ambitions.
Mentoring program
This is about helping young
Africans to achieve their full
potential and participating to
the emergence of a global
African intelligentsia.
Global Outreach
In the era of massive
communication and data
exchange, we need to share
our knowledge and experiences
with as wide an audience as
possible to inspire vocation and
set example.
Taking the next steps…

5. Overview of talk
• What are some major challenges Africa faces as a continent?
• What role(s) can professionals from Africa and the African Diaspora play
in stimulating progress?
• What competencies do professionals bring on board?
• How can we initiate or participate in capacity-building projects?
• How do we change mindsets?
• Which funding sources are available for executing progress-oriented
projects?

6. The major hurdles in Africa
• Poor governance
• Corruption
• Population growth
• Unemployment
• Malnutrition

7. The challenge of population growth
Source: UNICEF
By the end of
the Century,
40% of people
will be African

8. The surge of unemployment
• 16 million people unemployed
• 60% are below 25 years old

9. * Wasting - Low weight-for-height
* Stunting - Low height-for-age
The burden of malnutrition

10. 1. How can we contribute to progress in Africa?
2. How can we stimulate progress in Africa?

11. The role of professionals in ….
1. Improving education – mentorship, critical thinking
(break-away from the norm)
2. Building capacity - research and innovation
(projects geared towards solving present challenges)
3. Changing mindsets – encourage social innovation
(influencing the next generation of leaders)

12. Improving education - Mentorship
• Competencies gained after PhD/ professional training
- leadership & interpersonal
- management -self & project
- analysis and problem-solving
- written & oral communication

13. Improving education – Mentorship…
Mentorship - stimulates personal & professional growth
For mentors - skills development & career progression.
Source: bleakstar

14. Improving education – foster critical thinking
• Encourage out-of-class or project-based learning.
Summer schools
Design-thinking workshops
Innovation projects

15. Building capacity for research and innovation
How do we strengthen individual capacity for innovation?
How do we move beyond traditional approaches to problem-
solving?
Leadership & management skills
Support partnerships
Training courses

16. Building capacity for research and innovation
• How do we strengthen institutional capacity ?
Training programmes
student/ faculty exchange (North –South; South- South)
IAEA training for fellows from African countries at BNARI - GAEC

17. Building capacity for research and innovation
• Encourage collaboration and partnerships
University + University
University + Industry e.g. Promega, Roche, etc.

18. Supporting innovation
• Building an ecosystem for start-ups e.g. Oxara (cement-free concrete)

19. Funding is critical for innovation
Funding for R&D as a percentage
of GDP
Kenya – 0.79%
South Africa – 0.82%
Ghana – 0.38%
Ethiopia – 0.60%
Mali – 0.29%
Source: http://uis.unesco.org/
1%ofGDP

20. Funding sources or agencies
• Regional Initiative in Science and Education –Africa centered
grants and fellowship opportunities
https://web.facebook.com/groups/AfricaRISENetworking/
• AuthorAid
https://www.authoraid.info/en/funding/
• The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) – grants for training
and multilateral collaborations
https://twas.org/
• Seeding Labs’ Instrumental Access Program
https://seedinglabs.org/

21. Changing mindsets
• Why is it important to raising African champions?
• How can we facilitate this process?
THINK
AFRICA
Source: society6.com
stimulate

22. Changing mindsets…
 Be an agent of the change you desire!
https://equipsent.org/

23. Changing mindsets – talent development
• Leading by example – Alumni Ambassador CGI U
 Motivate & support
students turn their
ideas for improving
the world into action.

24. Your passion could be your next paid job!
Partnerships for Collaboration in Education (PCE)
Goal - To build partnerships that promote learning (opportunities) by
connecting Africa to educational institutions worldwide.

25. Let us lead by example!
I will not compromise these values, would you?
Integrity
Hard work
Honesty
Dependability