Margaret Afia Konadu is a multi-skilled individual making positive impacts on the lives of thousands of people. She is a community leader, a teacher and an entrepreneur, who is passionate about driving social impact and preserving cultural heritage.
Born on 6th January 1989, Margaret is one of the proud members of ACA’s Sora Kaufman Fellowship program.
She currently serves as the Project Lead for Community Development at the Edugha Institute for Social Development. Here, she manages programs aimed at improving the quality of life for underprivileged communities and further conducts community assessments as well as implements sustainable projects that promote economic independence.
Besides, she teaches Literature-in-English at the Presbyterian Senior High School in Tamale where she educates and mentors young minds.
“Through literature, I encourage students to think critically and engage in discussions that challenge societal norms and inspire change. My work in education has strengthened my belief in the power of knowledge and skills in transforming lives, which has fueled my dedication to community work and youth empowerment”, she explained.
As an entrepreneur, Margaret is the CEO of Margees Collections, a fashion hub that specializes in handwoven textiles such as smocks and kente, traditional fabrics from northern Ghana. Margees Collections is not just a business, but a platform for cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
Moreover, Margaret is the Northern Regional Lead for the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs (GCYE). Here, she mentors young entrepreneurs in this capacity, helping them to navigate the challenges of starting and scaling-up businesses.
“Through my combined roles in education, business, and community development, I strive to create meaningful and sustainable change. A commitment to cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and the betterment of underprivileged communities in Ghana drives my work.”
Integrating knowledge from fellowship
She says integrating the knowledge gained from the Sora Kaufman Fellowship into her workplace and community development work will be a transformative process, directly influencing how she leads projects and empower local communities.
One of the ways through which she would be doing this is to incorporate innovative leadership and management practices. She is optimistic that the one-month training she is currently embarking on will expose her to cutting-edge leadership strategies and management techniques, which she plans to integrate into her work as the Project Lead for the Edugha Institute for Social Development and her role with Margees Collections.
“By applying these practices, I can enhance team collaboration, optimize project efficiency, and ensure that our community development initiatives are executed more effectively. For example, I will use innovative project management tools and frameworks to better oversee the training programs for weavers, improving their skills and productivity.”
She will also strengthen social entrepreneurship initiatives, implement sustainable community development models, build global networks and partnerships and undertake training and capacity building.
She is positive that she would be imparting the knowledge gained after the training on her colleagues. In this regard, she intends to organize training sessions for her colleagues and community members to empower them and enhance their capacities.
“In summary, the knowledge gained from the Sora Kaufman Fellowship will enable me to introduce innovative leadership, empower local entrepreneurs, promote sustainable development, and build strong partnerships to drive positive change in my workplace and the broader community.”
Proposed plans going forward
After the 12-month period for the Sora Kaufman fellowship program, Margaret’s plans afterwards are centered around leveraging the knowledge, networks, and skills gained to drive impactful community development, expand entrepreneurial opportunities, and become a leader in social innovation.
“My immediate plan is to scale up existing projects within the local artisan and entrepreneurial communities, particularly through Margees Collections and the Textiles Hand Weavers Association. With the expertise gained from the fellowship, I aim to introduce new business models, e-commerce platforms, and value-added services that will allow these artisans to expand their markets both locally and internationally. I also plan to explore innovative financing models, such as micro-loans and cooperative savings, to empower more artisans and young entrepreneurs in underserved communities.”
Margaret also intends to establish a Community Development and Innovation Hub, which is inspired by the fellowship’s focus on innovation. I plan to establish a community development and innovation hub in the Northern Region of Ghana. This hub will offer training in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and sustainable business practices for artisans, farmers, and young entrepreneurs. The hub, according to her, will serve as a resource center where individuals can access mentorship, funding opportunities, and technical support to launch and scale their businesses. She hopes to collaborate with local government agencies, international NGOs, and private sector partners to ensure the hub’s long-term sustainability.
In addition, she will be working hard to enhance leadership and advocacy for the marginalized especially women, youth, and artisans.
“Drawing from the leadership training in the fellowship, I intend to work closely with local government and organizations like the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs to influence policies that provide better access to education, skills training, and funding for small businesses. I also plan to mentor young leaders, helping them gain the confidence and skills to champion community-driven development projects.”
“In conclusion, after completing the Sora Kaufman Fellowship, my plans are focused on scaling social impact projects, establishing a community innovation hub, advocating for sustainable policies, and fostering global partnerships to uplift marginalized communities and create long-term economic empowerment.”
Congratulations, Margaret. Enjoy every bit of the Fellowship program. Welcome on board.
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