Accra, July 1, GNA - The managements of two NGOs would launch a science vacation school and youth leadership development programme at Mampong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region on Friday, July 10. Leadership Africa USA, a Washington, DC-based NGO focused on delivering leadership development training to youth in Africa and beyond, in collaboration with its local partner, Tetteh Quarshie Educational Fund, are undertaking the initiative.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday said the programme under the theme, "Securing Their Future: Youth Leadership Training Initiative in Ghana," would feature the training of teachers and the delivery of daily leadership courses to more than 200 students from Senior High Schools (SHS).

The initiative is part of the Empowering Cocoa Households with Opportunities and Education Solutions (ECHOES) programme administered by the World Cocoa Foundation and supported by USAID.

Leadership Africa USA's goal is to work with its local partners and educators to provide Ghanaian youth with critical leadership skills to face the challenges and opportunities to build their country. In addition, the goal would combine the importance of youth leadership development with the critical need to promote the importance of science, technology and mathematics education among Ghana's youth. It would introduce core leadership principles and create a foundation for increasing competence in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Computer Science.

Leadership Africa USA has worked extensively throughout the continent of Africa, from South Africa, Liberia, Nigeria to Senegal, where it recently distributed more than 100,000 copies of the first French middle school leadership curriculum in Senegal.

Mr Walker A. Williams, President and CEO of Ladership Africa USA, and Ms Shehnaz Rangwala, Programme Director, have expressed delight at the opportunity to work with youth in Ghana.

"There is an immense energy among the youth across the globe, and Ghana's youth are no different. We are looking forward to working with our partners to equip these youth with the leadership and science skills to productively use that energy," noted Mr Williams.

Mr Horace Dei, President, Tetteh Quarshie Education Fund, was equally delighted about the programme.

"The opportunity to promote leadership development and science education among the youth in Akuapem is monumental, as we are in the business of creating a pipeline of Ghana's (and the world's) leaders in science, technology and various other fields," he added.