Yvonne: Know Yourself

Akili Dada
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read
Yvonne and Friends at YYAS program / Akili Dada 2017

On 29th July, the Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) program kicked off in Accra, Ghana. Akili Dada’s two outstanding Young Changemakers representatives, Phyllis and Yvonne share reflections on the seven-day high-intensity academic and leadership residential program.

Written by Yvonne, 16

One of the sessions that stood out for me was on personal identity. We engaged in an activity called the enrichment activity. I got to ask myself important questions on my self-identity, self-worth and carry out a self analysis. I learnt that I am objective and strategic when making decisions.

From that session, I learnt the importance to appreciate your my efforts, as well as those of my fellow friends and acquaintances. I have a greater consciousness about other nationalities from the North, East, South and West of Africa and the globe. An inspiring lesson that have carried with me from the Yale Young African Scholars program is that, as much as we depend on ourselves, we always need someone we can call family.

In regards to my scholarship, I learnt that there is an application format called Common Apply. This is where a scholar can apply to the universities they want. In Common Apply, you have 1 required essay question. However, many participating colleges demand supplemental essays, which are different for each college. So if you are applying to three different colleges, you can easily have more than 10 essay questions.

During the leadership workshop, I learnt that being a leader requires strategy. To make policies and codes, you need to know what you want in order to achieve your goals by a certain period of time.

There are many lessons that I learnt from YYAS that crosscut with the Akili Dada training sessions. During the personal identity session in both the YYAS and Akili Dada training sessions, I was able to identify my personal attributes, strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The personality test I did with Akili Dada, I learnt a lot about my self-identity.

It is ironic that human beings do not set aside some time to focus on themselves. This quality personal time enables you to know what you are working on that doing well, and what needs to improve.


The Diary of Yale Young African Scholars is a series of reflections from two outstanding Akili Dada Young Changemakers, Yvonne and Phyllis, in Accra, Ghana. Visit Akili Dada’s blog for more eloquent reflective stories from young African Women leaders.

The Diary of Yale Young African Scholars

Akili Dada’s two outstanding Young Changemakers, Phyllis and Yvonne share their reflections on the Yale Young African Scholarship program.

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Akili Dada

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A leadership incubator empowering the next generation of African women leaders.

The Diary of Yale Young African Scholars

Akili Dada’s two outstanding Young Changemakers, Phyllis and Yvonne share their reflections on the Yale Young African Scholarship program.

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