THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

ATHENA & TELEMACHUS ALUMNI

BARIKISU KASSIM

Barikisu is a postgraduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Geography at the University of Education, Winneba. She is from Ghana and has nurtured a strong passion for environmental sustainability and the relationship between people and nature since childhood. She aspires to become a leading environmental researcher and advocate, contributing to policies and initiatives that promote sustainable development and enhance community resilience in Ghana and beyond.

Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings! 

I come from a humble background and was raised by a single mother who gave birth to me at a very young age. Growing up was not easy because we faced many financial challenges. During my early years in school, I had to help my mother sell goods before going to school each day. Despite these difficulties, I remained focused on my education and consistently performed very well academically, often being among the best students in my class. I attended St. Paul’s for my junior high education and later continued to Dompoase Senior High School from 2015 to 2018, where I became one of the best students in the school. I also served as a Prefect and became actively involved in environmental activities, which sparked my passion for environmental protection and sustainability.

Because of this interest, I pursued a degree in Geography at the University of Education, Winneba, and graduated with a Second Class Upper Division and a CGPA of 3.45. Currently, I am pursuing an MPhil in Geography at the same university, specializing in Hydrology and GIS.

Beyond academics, I enjoy helping people and participating in community initiatives such as cleanup exercises and supporting needy students. My life experiences have motivated me to become someone who inspires and supports young girls and women, especially those from disadvantaged communities, to believe in themselves and pursue education despite challenges.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

Some of the key challenges in my society currently include poverty, limited access to quality education, unemployment, and gender inequality. Many young people, especially girls, are forced to abandon their education because of financial difficulties and societal pressures such as early marriage. Another major challenge is the negative perception some people have toward education, where many believe that schooling does not guarantee a better future or employment opportunities. Because of this mindset, some young people lose motivation to continue their education.

There are also issues of domestic violence, child neglect, and the unfair treatment of women in some homes. Many women and children do not have enough support or opportunities to improve their lives. Environmental problems are also becoming a concern in my community, including poor sanitation, improper waste disposal, and lack of environmental awareness. These challenges have motivated me to focus on environmental protection and community development so that I can contribute positively to society.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

One of the major hurdles I have faced in life was growing up in a financially challenged home as a child of a single mother. My mother struggled to provide for my education and basic needs, so I had to help her sell before going to school. There were times when getting school materials and paying for educational expenses became very difficult. Despite these challenges, I stayed focused on my education and worked hard to perform well academically.

Another challenge was overcoming societal perceptions and limitations placed on young girls in my community. Many young girls were encouraged to marry early instead of pursuing education, and some people believed that education would not change our future because of limited opportunities. However, I remained determined to continue my education because I believed I could create a better future for myself and help others as well.

I also faced challenges related to confidence and communication, especially in public speaking and leadership roles. Through learning, mentorship, practice, and participation in leadership activities, I gradually built my confidence and improved my communication skills.

I handled these challenges through determination, hard work, self-belief, prayer, and support from people who encouraged me along the way. These experiences have made me stronger, more focused, and passionate about helping others who face similar difficulties.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

The role of a mentor is very important to me because a mentor provides guidance, support, encouragement, and direction for both personal and professional growth. Through mentorship, I am able to learn from someone with experience who can help me make better decisions, build confidence, and develop important skills such as leadership, communication, and career development.

A mentor also helps me identify my strengths and weaknesses and encourages me to work on improving myself continuously. Coming from a challenging background, having a mentor motivates me to stay focused on my goals and believe in my abilities despite difficulties.

In addition, mentorship provides me with the opportunity to learn new ideas, gain knowledge, and receive advice that can positively shape my academic journey, career path, and future aspirations. Overall, a mentor plays an important role in inspiring me, guiding me, and helping me become a better version of myself.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

One important lesson life has taught me is that challenges and difficulty do not determine a person’s future. Despite the financial struggles and obstacles I faced growing up, I learned that determination, hard work, self-belief, and faith in God can help a person overcome difficulties and achieve their goals.

Life has also taught me the importance of education, patience, prayer, and staying focused on my dreams even when situations become difficult. I have learned that with God’s guidance and support, every challenge can become a source of strength and motivation if you refuse to give up.

Another lesson I would like to share is that helping others and making a positive impact in society is very important. No matter where a person comes from, they can still succeed and inspire others through dedication, resilience, faith in God, and a positive mindset.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

One person in Ghana that I believe is doing great work in improving other people’s lives is Ibrahim Mahama (the brother of our current president). Through his support for education, youth empowerment, and community development, he has helped many young people by providing scholarships, employment opportunities, and assistance to vulnerable individuals and communities.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Some of the major challenges women face in Ghana include gender inequality, limited access to quality education and employment opportunities, poverty, early marriage, domestic violence, and discrimination in leadership and decision-making positions. In some communities, cultural beliefs and societal expectations still limit the opportunities available to women and girls, especially in rural areas.

Many young girls are sometimes encouraged to marry early instead of continuing their education, while some women experience abuse, lack of financial independence, and limited support in pursuing their goals. Women are also underrepresented in certain professional and leadership roles.

However, several efforts are being made toward promoting gender equality in Ghana. The government, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and advocacy groups continue to create awareness about women’s rights, girl-child education, and women empowerment. There are also initiatives that support women through education, skills training, mentorship, entrepreneurship programs, and policies aimed at reducing gender discrimination and violence against women.

In recent years, more women are being encouraged to pursue higher education, leadership positions, and careers in different fields. These efforts are gradually helping to create more opportunities and improve the lives of women and girls in the country.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

With God, determination, and hard work, no challenge is impossible to overcome, The challenges we face in life should not bring us down but instead, they should shape us, strengthen us, and prepare us for a better future. I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do? 

I would create a foundation and community development project focused on empowering women, supporting child education, and promoting environmental sustainability in disadvantaged communities. The project would provide scholarships, educational materials, mentorship, and skills training for young girls and vulnerable children, especially those from poor backgrounds who are at risk of dropping out of school or early marriage. I would also organize awareness programs to educate communities on the importance of education, gender equality, and women empowerment.

In addition, I would establish environmental initiatives such as community clean-up campaigns, waste management education, tree planting, and environmental sustainability projects to help protect the environment and create healthier communities. Another important part of the project would focus on supporting women through entrepreneurship training, financial support, and leadership development programs to help them become independent and confident. My overall goal would be to create opportunities, inspire hope, and help people realize that their background or challenges should not limit their future.

Q: How is technology utilised for social impact in your country? For example are there mobile apps that support gender equality, inclusion, understanding of cultures?

Technology is gradually being used for social impact in Ghana, although access is still limited for many people, especially women and people in rural communities who may not have smartphones, internet access, or digital skills. However, some progress is being made through social media platforms, mobile money services, online education, and digital awareness campaigns.

For instance, in agriculture and community development, some organizations use mobile communication and digital platforms to share farming information, weather updates, and training opportunities with farmers. However, the use of specialized apps for gender equality or inclusion is still not very common in many communities because of limited internet access, low digital literacy, and financial challenges. Overall, technology is helping to create awareness and improve communication, but there is still a need for more accessible digital tools and opportunities, especially for people in rural areas.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add?

I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the GTF mentoring programme because it has positively impacted my personal, academic, and professional growth. The programme has helped me build confidence, improve my communication and leadership skills, and become more focused on my future goals. I also appreciate the support and guidance from my mentor Mr. Ahmed, whose encouragement and advice continue to inspire me to work hard and believe in myself.

Moving forward, I hope to use the knowledge, skills, and experiences I am gaining, to create positive change in my community, which I have already started, especially in supporting women, promoting child education, and contributing to environmental sustainability. I believe that with determination, hard work, and God’s guidance, every challenge can become an opportunity for growth and success.