Blessing: As a midwife and entrepreneur, I now carry the torch that once lit my own path

10 minute read

Each day, I am reminded of how far I’ve come – from a young girl walking miles to school on an empty stomach, to an educated woman leading with purpose and impact.

I grew up in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. At the age of six, I went to live with a family friend because my parents couldn’t afford to take care of me. After a while, I had to return home —not because our situation had improved, but because the friend could no longer support me.

I walked nearly two hours to school on an empty stomach almost every day, which made school life extremely challenging. I often struggled to afford school essentials like stationery and books—especially after my mom became ill and my dad lost his job. Despite these challenges, I remained determined to complete school, and my teachers often stepped in to help however they could.

I completed Junior High School with an exceptional grade, but I had little hope of continuing my education. I remember asking my mother, “Are you sure I can go to school?” — and she had no answer. Still, understanding the importance of education, my parents managed to raise just enough money to cover my admission to Senior High School.

That’s where everything changed. I met CAMFED, and my life turned around. My Teacher Mentor—a government teacher trained by CAMFED to provide additional support to vulnerable girls—saw my situation, and I was selected as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at CAMFED Ghana.

For the first time in my life, I experienced what it meant to study without worry—to have books, groceries, and everything else I needed to succeed and thrive in school. 

Lighting the path for others

After completing Senior High School in 2018, I pursued a degree in Midwifery and eagerly joined the CAMFED Association—a powerful network of young women leaders educated with CAMFED’s support and committed to transforming our communities.

Joining this sisterhood marked a beautiful beginning in my life. I’ve been able to touch lives just as mine was touched—by supporting community initiatives and mentoring girls to believe in themselves.

In 2024, I went back to my school to volunteer as a Learner Guide (peer mentor)—one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey so far. I served as a powerful example and role model for vulnerable girls, having overcome similar challenges myself. 

I supported students by delivering My Better World life-skills sessions, helping them build confidence, set goals, and stay in school despite challenges. Beyond the classroom, I have engaged parents and community leaders to strengthen support for girls’ education.

Beyond my role as a Learner Guide, I personally support a few children by providing school fees and learning materials. Knowing my support keeps more children in school motivates me to continue doing even more.

I was elected to become District General Secretary of the CAMFED Association in Sekyere East District. Serving in this powerful leadership role fills me with gratitude and pride, as I get to drive initiatives that promote girls’ education and women’s leadership across the district.

My CAMFED Association sister Amina and I with CAMFED CEO Angie Murimirwa (far right) at the CAMFED Association Annual General Meeting in 2024.

My passion for women’s health advocacy

In 2015, I nearly lost my mother to pregnancy complications — something that could have been prevented if she had access to professional healthcare. I remember the fear and helplessness watching the life of someone I love so dearly hang in the balance.

That experience lit a fire within me, fueling my desire to become a trained midwife committed to providing high-quality care, compassion, and hope for mothers and their families in their most vulnerable moments.

Mothers sometimes recognize me in town and hand me their baby, saying, “Madam midwife, this is the child you delivered.” Moments like these are powerful reminders of the trust, impact, and joy that come with my profession. Every safe delivery and every healthy mother reinforces my sense of purpose and pride in being a midwife.

I mentor other young women in my community who aspire to become midwives, guiding them on their career paths. Mentoring is my way of paying it forward—ensuring that more women enter midwifery well-prepared and passionate about making a difference, just as I was guided and inspired along my own journey.

Women and girls across rural Ghana face numerous challenges in accessing quality healthcare–including limited facilities, a shortage of skilled professionals, and financial constraints. What is most striking, both in my profession and in my health advocacy, is the lack of access girls and women have to information about their bodies and basic health issues. This realization has deepened my compassion, strengthened my commitment to education, and reinforced the importance of advocacy. 

For many rural girls, menstruation is a significant health challenge. It can be a source of fear, shame, and even exclusion. Many are unprepared having never been taught about menstruation before it started, leaving them anxious and confused. Some cannot afford menstrual products, causing them to miss school or rely on unsafe alternatives.

To address these challenges, I am one of many young women in the CAMFED Association who have trained as healthcare professionals, delivering quality healthcare and advocacy in our rural communities across Africa. We also deliver sessions on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and have gained the support of traditional leaders and local governments for women’s health initiatives.

As CAMFED Association District General Secretary, I coordinated a team of over 20 CAMFED Association members for World Menstrual Health Day outreach. Together with five officers from the Department of Gender and Child Protection, we engaged with head porters (Kayayei)—young women who carry goods for shoppers in the market for a living—about menstrual health. We educated them on proper menstrual care, debunked misconceptions, and created a safe space for questions. We also provided menstrual products to support their dignity and well-being.

Uplifting others through agriculture

Growing up in a rice-farming family, I spent countless hours on the farm, learning the work with my own hands. When I chose to step into entrepreneurship, I returned to rice farming because it was profitable, meaningful, and a skill I had already mastered through lived experience.

Here I am on my thriving rice farm!

Through CAMFED, I participated in a coaching and training program that focused on presenting business ideas effectively and confidently. I also received a grant through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund, which provided crucial financial support to grow my enterprise, as well as assistance with business certification to ensure my venture meets professional standards. 

I was also introduced to an Agriculture Guide—one of the young women trained in climate-smart agriculture by CAMFED. She supports me in every step of my agribusiness journey—sharing sustainable farming practices and invaluable opportunities. This holistic support has built my confidence and helped me to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship more effectively.

I connect with other women entrepreneurs in the CAMFED Association—sharing business and funding opportunities. We assist one another in applying for grants or programs, and offer encouragement and advice along the way. 

When I see my harvest, I don’t just see food—I see resilience, the fruits of hard work, and the potential for wealth creation right here on our own soil. I have been able to employ three women on my farm, who use their earnings to build secure livelihoods and support their children. I also use some of my farm profits to provide girls with menstrual products, supporting their health and education.

I aim to expand my business by increasing production, adopting more climate-smart farming practices, and diversifying my produce to reach a wider market. I also plan to leverage digital platforms for marketing and explore partnerships to scale my business sustainably. Ultimately, my goal is not only to grow revenue, but also to create opportunities for others—especially women—to benefit from my enterprise and its success.