Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson
| Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson | |
|---|---|
 The Founder & Director of GEIG | |
| Born | Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson January 2, 1985[1] |
| 💼 Occupation | Social Entrepreneur |
| 🌐 Website | girlsedgh.org |
Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson is a Ghanaian social entrepreneur and the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG). [2]
Early life and education[edit]
Patterson was born in 1985 in Kumasi[1] in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Her family moved to America in 1995 and she attended school there. When she was in her final year in high school, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident in which she suffered a traumatic brain injury which affected her cognitive and intellectual abilities, and also left her with a physical disability.[1][3][4][5] She completed high school while recovering in hospital.[1] She holds a BA in Political Science and Business Management from Caldwell College,[1][4] and a Masters in Public Administration from the New York University Wagner School of Public Service.[1][4]
Career[edit]
Patterson worked as a communications and marketing associate at Junior Achievement in New York.[1][4] After returning to Ghana in 2006, she was a volunteer teacher at the World Links Academy in Kumasi,[1][4] and then director of communication and marketing for the Council of Young African Leaders.[1][4] She experienced more difficulty accessing public facilities in Africa than she had in America. She also observed that a student at Kumasi who had learning difficulties was believed to be affected by evil spirits.[1][4] These experiences inspired her to found the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG) in 2013, to provide support for disadvantaged girls, particularly those with special needs, to attend school.[1][3][6][7][8] GEIG supports girls in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions[4], and has assisted over thirty girls to attend and a complete school from the basic level through to the tertiary level.[9][10][11][12] Patterson was named Vlisco Ambassador in 2015,[13][14][15] because "despite all that had happened in her life, she has proven that disability is not inability. She has strong values and a big dream of ensuring all girls and women have equal footing in Ghana".[16] She has been a TedxAccra speaker.[17][18][19]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Nonor, Daniel (26 June 2015). "Against all odds: From coma to stardom". The Weekend Finder. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ↑ Debrah, Ameyaw (2015-03-10). "Meet TEDxAccra speaker, Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson". AmeyawDebrah.Com. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Meet Vlisco awards nominee Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson". citifmonline.com. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "READ: Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson & the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana STORY". Proudly Ghanaian! | EnewsGH. 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ Africa, CNBC (2016-04-11). "How trauma led to the creation of a school in Ghana catered to girls with special needs". CNBC Africa. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ "Girls Education Initiative of Ghana". girlsedgh.org. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ "READ: Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson & the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana STORY". TotalShowbiz. 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson | The Future of Ghana". Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ AXSChat, AXSChat.Elizabeth Patterson.Founder of the Girls education initiative of Ghana, retrieved 2019-01-31
- ↑ "Joy 99.7 FM". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ "12 Ghanaians nominated for Exla Young Achievers Award 2015 - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ "Persons with disability don't want sympathy; we need respect – Isaac Tuggun - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ GNA (13 April 2015). "Patterson Wins Vlisco Ambassador 2015". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson". obaasema | a lifestyle brand for the modern African woman. 2015-08-05. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ 122108447901948 (2015-04-14). "Elizabeth Patterson announced as new Vlisco Ambassador for 2015". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ The Herald Team (13 March 2015). "VLISCO Intensifies Women's Month 'Live The Dream' Campaign". The Herald Ghana. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ↑ Adepoju, Taiwo. "Elizabeth Patterson #GHANA says "My auto accident of twelve years ago. It changed my entire narrative and life story"". Phenomenal African Woman. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ "Speakers – TEDxAdum". Retrieved 2019-01-31.
- ↑ Ghana, Cypress (2015-02-02). "CypressGHANA.COM: Peace Hyde, Ben Avle, Ethel Cofie And More To Speak At TEDxAccra 2015". CypressGHANA.COM. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
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