2017 Public Management cohort
Abubaker Omer Ahmed Ahmed
Sudan
Thematic interests: conflict resolution/women and girls/youth
Abubaker Ahmed has over 13 years of experience in the humanitarian field, especially focusing on fighting hunger worldwide. Currently, Abubaker is Head of the Sub-Office for the World Food Programme, where he focuses on saving lives and protecting livelihoods in emergencies, restoring and rebuilding lives after emergencies, and reducing chronic hunger and undernutrition. Abubaker holds a master's degree in peace and development from the University of Zalingei, Sudan, where he focused on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and development. Abubaker is driven by his commitment to peacebuilding, women's empowerment and girls education. One day, he hopes to witness women in leadership positions. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Abubaker plans to continue his work in gender equality, with a focus on advocacy for women?s rights, empowerment, and equal opportunities.
Annaick Meline Moubouyi
Gabon
Thematic interests: information communications technology/security
Annaick currently works for a state agency operating in the digital sector, with a focus on raising awareness on cyber crimes in Gabon. Her main project consists of building a women's network addressing topics such as e-reputation and the necessity of adopting laws in Gabon to protect citizens from cybercriminals. She also volunteers with teens by teaching them English and the importance of having high expectations for themselves. Annaick studied international relations in the United Kingdom and France. She holds a master's degree in global security with a focus on political analysis from the University of Bordeaux. Upon completion of the Fellowship, Annaick plans to create a network to protect women on the Internet from cyber crimes and learn the benefits of ICT.
Corneille Bamogo
Burkina Faso
Thematic interests: public health/research
Corneille Bamogo has over four years of experience in public administration. Currently, Corneille is an Advisor for the government of Ziniare. He focuses on assisting local communes with the implementation of their development policies and projects. Corneille holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the National School of Public Administration. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Corneille plans to carry on with his work of improving the local population's conditions with a focus on tackling youth unemployment.
Malan Dieudonne Katche
Cote d'Ivoire
Thematic interests: aviation/community development/management
Dieudonne Malan Katche has over five years of experience in the field of civil aviation. Currently, Dieudonne is a Civil Aviation Technician working with the Aerospace, Aeronautical and Meteorological Operations and Development Center (SODEXAM). This governmental agency is in charge of civil aviation development, and aeronautical and meteorological activities in Cote d?Ivoire. As an International Junior Chamber member, Dieudonne believes that serving humanity is the best work in life. In 2013 he got an award for being a successful training commission director. He has served as leader of the local workers? union for two years. Dieudonne holds an intermediate English level certificate from The English and the Foreign Languages the University of Hyderabad in India, and a certificate in Organizations and Human Resource Management from Larnaca Intercollege in Cyprus. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he plans to develop the field of aviation by enhancing technologies and improving citizen services.
Djibril Badiane
Senegal
Thematic interests: think tank/transparency/NGOs/information communications technology
Djibril Badiane has over four years of experience in the communication sector, focusing on digital communication. He is currently working as a Communication Specialist in a USAID program called SUNUBUDGET, which means "our budget" in the Wolof language. This program makes budget and public finances information accessible in Senegal. Djibril is a military officer of the Senegalese's National Gendarmerie. He launched his own clothing brand, DSTB DESIGN, in 2014. Djibril holds a master's degree in communication from Supdeco Dakar Business School. He is motivated by public management and technology and he hopes one day that all public services in Senegal will be provided with technology. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Djibril plans to create a company that will help Senegalese government improve their communication.
Elizabeth Musoki
Uganda
Thematic interest areas: social justice/advocacy/women/children/policy
"I would like to influence formation of polices, bylaws and strategies that favor women, youth and children by representing them in parliament."
Elizabeth Musoki is a Community Development and Probation Officer with Kasese District Local Government, where she advocates and protects the rights of marginalized women, youth, and children. Growing up in a highly patriarchal rural society, she witnessed children and women suffer abuse and decided to commit her life to fighting for social justice. Elizabeth holds a postgraduate diploma in Public Administration and Management and bachelor's degree in Development Studies. She has established a Youth Innovation and Production Center in Kasese district, which extends vocational skills training to youth and women for self-employment and aims to reduce high unemployment among the youth and women from 80 percent to 20 percent by 2025.
Emeka Emmanuel Kennedy Nwokedi
Nigeria
Thematic interests: public service/youth/fire engineer/education
Emeka Nwokedi has five years of experience in public (fire) safety. He is an Assistant Superintendent of Fire at the Federal Fire Service where he focuses on designing, organizing and coordinating training capacity building activities for fire safety personnel. In 2016, Emeka received the IFE Level 4 Certificate Godiva award for the best international candidate from the Institution of Fire Engineers, UK. He currently is completing a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Emeka is committed to building a responsible and performance-driven public service where purpose, accountability, meritocracy, workforce development, staff welfare and job activities in the best interest of the nation are given top priority. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Emeka seeks to boost productivity and commitment in public service by creating a platform that will recognize government workers with innovative and purpose-driven contributions and hopes to promote job advancement through merit, qualification, and performance versus nepotism, bias, and political affiliation.
Emilly Akullu
Uganda
Thematic interest areas: economics/women/civil service/policy
"I joined politics because I want to impact more in the lives of women and children at the level of a policymaker and advocate."
Emily Akullu lives and works in Uganda. She is an Economist by Profession, a Public Administrator by Practice and a Politician. Emily holds a Social Science Bachelors Degree from Makerere University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Uganda Management Institute and A Masters of Arts Degree from Makererere University. She has worked for the Government of Uganda for 10 years. She served 3 years as an Assistant Secretary at State House, posted to the Office of the First Lady, followed by 3 years as Deputy Resident District Commissioner of the Busia District and 4 years as Deputy Resident District Commissioner of the Moroto District. In the 2016 General Elections, Emily contested for the Position of District Woman Member of Parliament, but lost. She is the Vice Chairperson of her party at the district level and is also working on building a Policy and Advocacy Consultancy Firm, which she is hopeful will take off after the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Emily is looking forward to being part of the YALI team 2017.
Hawanatu Assanatu Mansaray
Sierra Leone
Hawanatu Barrie has two years of experience working as a medical doctor at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. She provides clinical treatment and management of illness to individuals of all ages. During the recent Ebola outbreak, Hawanatu was part of the medical screening team at the Lungi International Airport. She was an assistant site manager for the Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola (STRIVE). During her time in medical school, Hawanatu was an active member of the Sierra Leone Medical Students Association (SLEMSA). In her community, Hawanatu is a co-founder of a neighborhood university student's association which uses peer education and counseling to provide social support to young people, inspire higher learning and promote professional networking. Hawanatu holds an MBChB from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Science University of Sierra Leone. Upon completion of Mandela Washington Fellowship, Hawanatu plans to continue her clinical work and social activism, and use her acquired skills in leadership to promote efficiency in public service delivery.
Jacqueline Jepngetich Mebur
Kenya
Thematic interests: telecommunications/women/information communications technology
Jacqueline Mebur has over six years experience as an engineer in deployment, integration, and support of mobile core technologies and IP Networks. Currently, Jacqueline is a Senior Products Officer for Social Innovation at Safaricom Limited, where she focuses on utilizing technology for development and deployment of innovative products that provide solutions in disaster management, diversity and inclusion, and utilities, such as energy, water and sanitation. Jacqueline is also the Program Manager for The Technology Academy, an all-inclusive internship program that aims to build diversity into the workforce within Safaricom, with a specific focus on women and people with disabilities. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Jacqueline plans to continue her work in various diversity and inclusion agendas, with a specific focus on women in STEM and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Judy Melifonwu
Nigeria
Thematic interests: government relations/information communications technology/business
Judy Melifonwu has over eight years of experience working in the public sector on international trade, economic policy, and development. She holds a degree in business and creative writing. Currently, Judy heads Government Relations for IBM, covering West and Central Africa. She is a volunteer with a number of programs that support female empowerment in a business context and is also passionate about promoting holistic healing and natural living solutions. She advocates for public sector stakeholders to take an international approach to decision making and program creation. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she will strive to make Nigerian states more open to international partnerships to aid development.
Labran Alio Maidoukia Alihossi Reine
Niger
Thematic interests: engineer/security/disaster
Labran Alio Maidoukia has seven years of experience in the security, safety, fire and rescue management industry. Currently, he is a fire captain in charge of the uranium production facilities of Niger where he manages safety, security, and emergency in the terrorism context. Labran is a chemical safety engineer and holds a Master's degree in Industrial Disaster from the University of Haute Alsace in France. Labran is also trained as explosive device disabling specialist. During his free time, he works as a volunteer for the removal of landmines and explosives remnant left over from wars. Labran is driven by his commitment to Fire Rescue and security in Niger, where terrorist attacks happen frequently. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Labran plans to continue his daily work as a fire captain and would like to become an international expert in emergency operations in the terrorism context.
Lionel Gamath-Goubili
Republic of the Congo
Thematic interests: aviation/youth/management
Lionel works on implementing aviation legislation and operating regulations related to procedures for air navigation services and aircraft operations at the African and Malagasy Authorities for Civil Aviation (AAMAC) and serves as Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) Expert in the Economic Community of Central Africa States. Lionel holds an Engineer’s degree in Civil Aviation from the EAMAC training school, where he majored in air navigation operations. He is certified Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP CMA) subject matter expert in the field of ANS and appointed to support the USOAP CMA activities for the International Civil Aviation Organization. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Lionel plans to continue his work in the implementation of SBAS technology and community empowerment.
Loide Anbelina Shaparara
Namibia
Thematic interests: law/information communications technology/E-government/management
Loide Anbelina Shaparara is currently employed as a Legal Advisor in Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Namibia. She holds B Juris and LLB degrees from the University of Namibia, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in information technology law. Loide aspires to employ knowledge and experience of YALI to influence the development of Namibian legal jurisprudence to re-engineer and revolutionize the Public Service in Namibia and Africa through the use of information technology.
Lulekwa Makapela
South Africa
Thematic interests: law/science/youth
Lulekwa Makapela has over 10 years experience as a legal professional in the public sector, focusing on outer space initiatives. Currently, Lulekwa is a Contracts Manager for the Strategic Initiatives Implementation at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). She focuses on the management of strategic contracts in the science field and is also the Africa Regional Coordinator for a Space Law Moot Court Competition of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). Lulekwa holds a master's degree in corporate law from the University of Pretoria and has studied space science, space law, and management. Lulekwa is motivated by her commitment to influence policies and programs that enable youth involvement in science, technology, and international cooperation. Upon completion of the Mandela Fellowship, Lulekwa plans to continue her work to advocate for the involvement of youth in science-related fields.
Marieme Fatou Diop
Senegal
Thematic interests: urban planning/social activism
Marieme Fatou Diop is a Senegambian Urban Planning Specialist who has worked for Apix since 2011. She is involved in several of Senegal?s flagship infrastructure projects and in the implementation of public policies in the investment promotion sector. Very concerned with upgrading living conditions and helping others, Marieme is the President of the Apix Association for Employees and volunteers in associations helping sick children and the homeless. Her dream is to provide basic services and well-being to every human being. Marieme is also very passionate about sports, arts, and all aspects of Africa?s development. With the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Marieme?s objective is to set a strong network that will help her develop an international expertise in infrastructure projects and private investment promotion in Africa. Also, she wishes to implement two personal projects: a recycling plan and a cultural coffee shop that will promote a better image of Africa as well as develop friendships among the youngsters.
Nicola Isabel Lemos de Mvuayi
Angola
Thematic interests: finance/economic development/advocacy/government
Nicola Mvuayi is a Senior Economist within the Finance Ministry in Angola. She earned a degree in Economics and a master's in Development Economics from The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Njogou Jeng
Gambia
Thematic interests: youth/development/management
Njogou is a Program Assistant for the United Nations World Food Programme. In his capacity as resilient and lively focal person for the country office, Njogou supports the formulation and implementation of emergency cash and food assistance to people in need. He also volunteers with the Gambia Red Cross Society as the National Youth Chairperson working with approximately 20,000 other volunteers in alleviating human suffering. Njogou initiated and implemented a series of new ideas and programs affecting young people, women and communities including health, first aid, humanitarian diplomacy, migration, resource mobilization, and community participation. Njogou's long-term goal is to become an expert in international development and disaster risk management, thus contributing to sustainable national development through community service.
Richard Folly
Togo
Thematic interests: communications/information communications technology/space
Komlan Folly is a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) specialist, computer programmer, and data journalist. Currently, he is the Technology Trainer at the U.S. Embassy of Togo, and GIS and Communications Consultant at the Secretary of State of Posts and Digital Economy Ministry of the Togolese Government. To contribute to the fight against the lack of computer skills in his community, Komlan trained 60 young girls on coding, and 20 Togolese journalists on data journalism. In 2013, Komlan founded the African Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, an innovative company which works on Space Technology and GIS. He was recently a consultant on an Early Warning System (EWS) development for hydrological, rainfall and climatological data collection for the Togolese Red Cross, in collaboration with the World Bank, the Climate Center and Code for Resilience.
Shaakira Chohan
South Africa
Thematic interests: urban planning/community engagement/women
Shaakira is a Professional Architect and Urbanist, with over eight years? experience in the industry since completing her Master of Architecture Professional Degree. She uses her qualifications and experience to bring excellence in design back to city and local government projects and to change the way the city interacts and engages with communities so as to co-produce solutions, bringing city and citizen planning together. At the Johannesburg Development Agency, she is responsible for the management and implementation of projects in marginalized areas in Johannesburg from inception to close out. Shaakira is passionate about responsive design and co-production of urban spaces and seeks to, through her work, transform the way the city approaches design and services its citizens. She strives to ensure that communities are empowered through their direct contribution to, and participation in, their spaces as a reflection of the social environment within which it is situated.
Simphiwe Petunia Dube
Swaziland
Thematic interests: urban planning/housing/local government
Simphiwe Dube has over four years of experience in the urban and regional planning field. Currently, Simphiwe is a City Planner, heading the Community Development unit at the Municipal Council of Mbabane, where she focuses on the management and development of informal settlements, community liaison and engagement; as well as land use management. Simphiwe holds a master?s degree in Building from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she specialized in property development and management. Simphiwe is passionate about the provision of affordable housing to marginalized groups. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she plans to continue her work of upgrading informal settlements in Mbabane and assist, mentor and encourage the youth, especially girls, to prioritize their education in order to be influential role players in the professional environment.
Steven Roger Kenyon
South Africa
Thematic interests: banking/local government
Steven Kenyon has worked in the National Treasury for nearly eight years and is now responsible for overseeing the processes to determine allocations to South African municipalities. This work includes policy formulation and analysis on all aspects of capital and operating transfers to municipalities. He is also responsible for compiling the local government inputs for the annual Division of Revenue Act and presenting on this in parliament and provincial legislatures. He is able to make a direct contribution to improving the lives of the poor (as the funds are mainly for the benefit of the poor), and to building a more capable state that can better achieve on the promises of a democratic South Africa. He has studied economics and politics and holds a master's degree in public policy.
Theresa Ansaa Anafi
Ghana
Thematic interests: local government/community development/entrepreneurship/religion
Theresa Ansaa Anafi has over five years experience in the community development sector. Currently, Theresa is the Head of the Community Development Unit at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana. She supervises field staff, collaborates with stakeholders to implement government projects that affect women, children and persons with disability at the community level, equips urban poor women and youth with employable skills to enable them to generate income and conducts community needs assessments and community capacity building. Theresa holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Science from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana and a certificate in Communication Skills in English and Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises from the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, India. Her passion for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related issues drives her to fund-raise and lead handwashing campaigns in schools and communities to help prevent diseases. She has mentored public school children to become handwash ambassadors in their communities. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Theresa hopes to establish a foundation that focuses on community sanitation and domestic hygiene campaigns engaging women and children as change agents and promotion of girl child education as a tool for sustainable environmental preservation.
Tsigereda G. Woldegiorgis
Ethiopia
Tsigereda G Woldegiorgis has over nine years of experience in the construction industry. Currently, Tsigereda is working for United Nations World Food Programme as a project engineer where she builds warehouses, food distribution centers and schools for local communities and refugees in Ethiopia. Tsigereda holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Addis Ababa University. She is also a general manager of a startup company called Asterio General contractors PLC. She aspires to use her vast experience to improve current practices in the construction sector and improve efficiency, quality and speed while minimizing the impact on the environment. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Tsigereda plans to continue working for the United Nations by incorporating the skills she acquires in the public management training while also managing her own company.
Yacine Blalogoe
Benin
Thematic interests: civil service/local government/disability
Alihossi Reine Yacine Blalogue has a master's degree in project management and a bachelor's degree in African studies. Yacine works in the city hall of Glazoue, in charge of the birth certificate department. Her goal is to find a sustainable solution to the problem of the lack of birth certificates in her city She is working to computerize the certification process, promote good practices in the declaration and the registration of newborns, and empower women in the community. Yacine hopes that the fellowship will provide her with the skills, knowledge, and tools to help her meet her project goals.