ICEN utilizes the power of expression as a tool to empower young people through innovative and participatory programs.
As part of ICEN’s goal of empowering children, mothers and women in real
need will be empowered as well through:-
§ Leadership training programs
§ Adult education programs
§ Micro-grants for setting up small- medium enterprises
An empowered woman will in turn extend that force into her children and instill a “can do” spirit and mentality into them. ICEN will therefore work together with mothers to make our goal of empowering children a possibility.
Founding Members President/CEO
Adwoa Konadu Barwuah
Before starting International Child Empowerment Network (ICEN
Ms. Barwuah worked in various volunteer and internship positions for think tanks and non-profit organizations in Washington, DC, including The Cato Institute, National Catholic Social Justice Lobby (NETWORK), Americans for Tax Reform, American Council for International Education, and Program for Academic and Leadership Skills (PALS) at George Washington University.
She served as a reporter for OSIWA: 'E-Governance Validatio'n workshop in Accra,
Ghana (March 2008), and participated in the World Bank Strategic Communications conference and the World Bank Institute: Trade Finance Tools for Export Diversification.
Currently, she runs an E-commerce business (www.bakacreations.com) alongside ICEN where she promotes African inspired Art and accessories.
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Executive Director/USA
Crystal Byrd
Before starting Econogroup in 2007, Ms. Byrd worked on independent projects with non-governmental organizations, charities and think tanks assisting with organizational development and project management, assessing the impact of risk; developing project goals and focus, and composing projection plans. Ms. Byrd currently works for the US Agency for International Development.
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Papa Yaw Addo-Boateng Annan
Papa yaw Addo-Boateng Annan has parlayed his extensive experience in youth development Arts and entertainment in several parts of the world. His love for youth empowerment began during his years at Philander Smith
College in Little Rock, Arkansas in the United States, where he
volunteered as a soccer coach for the National Youth Sports
Program (NYSP). During this time he served as the International
Students president, Press secretary -Student Government
Association, and a radio presenter. He is also a member of the
Little Rock drum circle in Arkansas, USA which promotes
indigenous African music.
Mr Annan is currently the C.E.O of Mi Prime Entertainment, an organization that
demonstrates excellence in event development and management, marketing and
promotion, and constantly strives to build its existing foundation with events and
initiatives that support Ghanaian youth talent. He also sits on the board for New
Generation for Africa (NGO). In January 2008, Mr. Annan collaborated with the
Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Ghana, to launch a campaign and
educational workshop to end Child Labour.
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Kwadwo Adjei-Barwuah
A graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management, Mr. Adjei-Barwuah spent 2 years
working as a financial consultant in Canada, before returning to
Ghana.
Mr. Adjei-Barwuah is a member of the Association of Certified
Chartered Accountants and sits on the Board of the Longevity Ghana
Project.
He currently works as an analyst for the Banking Supervision
Department of the Bank of Ghana. He is passionate about Ghana's future and views
child empowerment as a means of ensuring Ghana's future leaders achieve their full
potential.
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Sarah Kuukua Mills
As a senior at Ashesi University College, Kuukua Mills helped startAshesi's Writing Centre and served as one of its first tutors. In 2006,
she became the youngest member of the InterAction Leadership
Programme for Africa, a leadership skills building programme
developed by the British Council, Leeds International and Questions
of Difference.
As a Development Associate /Alumni Relations Officer at Ashesi
University, she is in charge of publicity, fundraising and keeping
Ashesi's alumni connected with the University through the design
of programs and services. See www.ashesi.org.
Kuukua has interned with the USAID's West Africa Trade hub, in Accra, Barclays
Bank Ghana Ltd and Databank Financial Services. She is a member of the Ashesi
Shotokan Association.
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Program Director
Lebene Ledi
A product of Achimota School, and The University of Science and
Technology, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Biochemistry, Lebene Ledi currently works as the Assistant Director
for Career Services, at Ashesi University College (Labone, Accra). Before
taking up this role, she worked in various outlets including Project
Coordinator for The JobBank, University of Ghana Legon, Accra
and Project Coordinator with the Employability, University of East
London (London, U.K).
In November 2006, Ms Ledi took part in a workshop on 'Dealing with demanding
customers', (University of East London, U.K), and another on 'Setting up an effective
Careers Service', (University of Manchester, U.K) in April 2007. She participated in the
England-Africa Partnership Seminar, (University of East London) in July, 2007 and
The Hague International Model United Nations (Thimun) Youth Assembly (The Hague,
The Netherlands) between 2002 and 2005, ranking from participant in 2002,
committee coordinator in 2003-2004, Deputy president in January 2005, to President
in July of the same year.
In her own words, she states, "my greatest achievement was having the opportunity to
publish my work on International Efforts Against Preventable Diseases and on HIV/
AIDS Education for Prevention and for People Living with AIDS in the annual report
book titled 'The Voice of the Youth'. I believe in what ICEN stands for and hope that as
a team we will begin to make a difference in the lives of many young people".
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Board Members
Ms. Victoria Y. Cho - U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC
Mrs. Ama Ayittey - BA (Law and Pol. Science), BL, LLM in International Human Rights Law
Ms. Peggy Darkwa Smith - BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance, Affiliate of ACCA
Mr. George Laing - Administrator, St. Anthony Schools, Ghana
Mr. Joseph Agyemang - The Library of Congress, Washington, DC