DTI-A ensures full funding for beneficiaries as mentorship programme expands across 22 countries

The Founder of Drive to Inspire – Africa, Nana Adjoa Hackman, has underscored the organisation’s commitment to fully funding the education of its scholarship beneficiaries, stressing that no student is admitted into the programme without guaranteed financial support for the entire duration of their studies.

She made the commitment and assurance during Drive to Inspire – Africa’s 2025 Annual Impact Reporting Event, held under the theme “Building Africa’s Future, One Young Person at a Time,” at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

She explained that the organisation adopts a cautious and deliberate approach to scholarship allocation to ensure sustainability and consistency.

She indicated that the organisation secures funds for each beneficiary before admission, noting that it avoids situations where students are left stranded midway through their academic journey due to funding shortfalls.

According to her, the approach is designed to provide beneficiaries with “peace of mind,” enabling them to focus on their studies without uncertainty about their financial future.

She added that the organisation remains conservative in its intake, awarding scholarships based strictly on available resources, while expressing optimism that increasing support would allow for more beneficiaries in subsequent years.

Beyond scholarships, Nana Adjoa Hackman revealed that the organisation has significantly expanded its outreach and mentorship initiatives, engaging over 20,000 students across Ghana in 2025 alone, through various programmes.

She disclosed that the mentorship programme has experienced rapid growth, increasing from 179 mentees in March 2025 to 351 mentees currently, reflecting heightened interest and participation.

She further noted that the mentorship network now spans 22 countries, bringing together mentors and mentees from across Africa and beyond, compared to just eight countries at the programme’s earlier stages.

In a notable development, she indicated that while the mentorship programme was initially designed for young women, it has recently been expanded to include a number of young men, particularly those who expressed strong interest but did not qualify under the original criteria.

She explained that the organisation runs structured mentorship activities, including monthly personal development webinars, which were initially intended for scholarship beneficiaries and mentees but have since attracted a broader audience.

She observed that participation in these webinars has grown significantly, with attendees joining from various parts of Africa, transforming the initiative into a continental platform for knowledge sharing and engagement.

Nana Adjoa Hackman recounted how what began as a small pilot programme with a handful of participants has evolved into a large-scale network, driven largely by organic growth and increasing demand for youth development opportunities.

She added that the organisation has also introduced new digital platforms focused on personal development, entrepreneurship, sales, trading and networking, aimed at equipping young people with practical skills.

According to her, the overarching goal of these initiatives is to encourage young people to aim higher, build confidence, develop multiple skills and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges.

She emphasised that the organisation is creating safe and supportive spaces where young people can express themselves, learn from mistakes and grow, while also bridging gaps between knowledge and practical application.

She noted that the programmes are also helping to foster collaboration and mutual understanding among young men and women, contributing to a more inclusive approach to youth empowerment.

Nana Adjoa Hackman reiterated that the organisation’s efforts are focused on gradually contributing to the empowerment of Africa’s youth, equipping them to compete effectively on the global stage.

She stressed that the organisation’s work is grounded in the belief that young people hold the key to the continent’s transformation, adding that its growing body of impact stories demonstrates that targeted support can lead to meaningful change.