The Founder of Drive to Inspire – Africa, Nana Adjoa Hackman, has detailed the organisation’s stringent and highly competitive scholarship selection process, emphasising that it begins as early as September each year to ensure only the most deserving candidates are supported.
Speaking during the 2025 Annual Impact Reporting Event of Drive to Inspire – Africa, held under the theme, “Building Africa’s Future, One Young Person at a Time,” at the Alisa Hotel North Ridge on Thursday, March 19, 2026, she explained that the process is carefully structured to manage the overwhelming number of applications the organisation receives annually from young women seeking support to pursue tertiary education.
She indicated that applications open in September, immediately setting in motion a multi-layered selection procedure that includes shortlisting, interviews and final evaluations by an independent committee.
According to her, a first-level committee made up of about ten members is constituted to review applications and produce an initial shortlist, noting that the committee is typically chaired by a senior corporate executive to ensure transparency and credibility.
She added that following the release of academic results, shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in interviews and further assessments, which ultimately determine the final beneficiaries.
Nana Adjoa Hackman noted that the process is not only rigorous but also necessary due to the high volume of applications received each year, stressing that the organisation is often compelled to select only a fraction of qualified applicants.
She explained that while many applicants demonstrate strong academic performance and potential, limited resources require the organisation to make difficult choices, prioritising those with the greatest need and promise.
Highlighting the outcomes of the most recent selection cycle, she revealed that the majority of beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 academic year are first-year university students, while others are continuing students who had previously been forced to suspend their education due to financial constraints.
She observed that some applicants had completed Level 100 or Level 200 but were unable to continue their studies until they received support from the organisation, enabling them to return to school and progress to higher levels.
She added that all selected beneficiaries have already commenced their academic programmes, having enrolled in January following the completion of the selection process.
Beyond the selection process, Nana Adjoa Hackman reiterated the organisation’s broader mission of empowering young women through education, mentorship and personal development.
She reflected on the journey of establishing the organisation, noting that running a charity had not initially been part of her personal ambitions, but has since become one of the most fulfilling aspects of her life.
She also highlighted the impact of the organisation’s mentorship programmes, sharing stories of beneficiaries who have overcome significant challenges through guidance and support.
One such example, she noted, involved a mentee who, after failing to secure employment following a mentorship programme, went on to establish her own business with encouragement from her mentor.
According to her, such stories underscore the importance of combining financial support with mentorship and skills development to achieve sustainable impact.
She stressed that the organisation’s work is driven by a commitment to resilience and perseverance, encouraging young people not to give up despite challenges.
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