Yaa Peprah Amekudzi
Head of Cocoa Life Program in Ghana, Mondelez International
Online mentoring topic:
How am I writing my story?
Yaa Peprah Amekudzi
Head of Cocoa Life Program in Ghana, Mondelez International
Online mentoring topic:
How am I writing my story?
Topic: How am I writing my story?
This is to enable us discuss our own voices, how to grow them and how to ensure we are heard
I chose this topic because, very often we inadvertently “allow” others to write our stories for us. We need to challenge many concepts about power and how to “gain power” over your decisions. So together, we will unlearn social constructs of who we should be. Take a cue from safety on airplanes in the event of loss of oxygen. You are advised to wear your mask first, before helping others.
About me
Currently, I am on leave from office and I am spending my hours between creating bead jewelry, gardening and reading (though less of reading). The break is also enabling me to reflect on creative solutions to address various sustainability challenges faced in my work in the cocoa sphere.
What kind of CHANGE you would like to SEE & MAKE?
That we do right by ourselves and to each other. It is only when we recognise our power that we do not require others to empower us. We need to, by our actions, actively amplify each other. I would like to see a sea shift from “empowerment” to “amplify”.
What kind of CHALLENGES are the most imporant in 2023?
Respect for human rights is key to our collective survival and for me, that is what is most important. Respect for human rights addresses inequality, labour relations, climate change, conflicts, deforestation and so many other wrongs in our world. So, to me, a lack of attention to human rights continues to be our biggest challenge.
What do YOU DO to be SEEN & HEARD?
Usually, I let my work/output speak for me. However, when need be, I am intentional about media engagements and selective speaking opportunities.
What are the topics that are not publicly spoken, but it definitely should be?
Institutional and intrapersonal discrimination of all forms should definitely be publicly spoken about and addressed.
What would your younger YOU should know?
My younger ME should know that, “in life there will always be many options but one has to choose and sacrifice for what is deemed important”. This is a quote by Yaw Nsarko, one of the finest brains I know.
