Shirley Osei-Mensah, Student, blogger and Internet entrepreneur

I decided to speak at TEDxYouthInspire 2010 because I wanted to share my experiences in life and what I learned with young people like me and the whole world as a whole, to inspire them in living their lives.

I think the whole TEDxYouthInspire 2010 event was a great success and it was very inspiring and motivating.

Yawa-Hansen-Quao, Social activist and travel professional

It was a great honor for me to have been invited to speak at TEDxYouthInspire. I chose to speak on the topic “Redefining Empowerment” because I believe there needs to be more mainstream discussion on how BOTH genders need to change in order to see a future with fewer divorces, more successful female leaders & confident, responsible men etc. To me, the solution is easy; we need to help men and women build confidence, enhance skills and foster positive relationships.

Participating was definitely worthwhile and I would have loved more conversation/discussion time. TEDxYouthInspire was proof positive that there does exist a pool of vibrant young Africans whose voices should be heard.

For the future, we should remain in contact and perhaps meet periodically to share more ideas “worth spreading” and catch up on the progress of our individual initiatives.

Aboyeji E Iyinoluwa, Student leader and writer

I had a slightly different experience from everyone else because I was “virtually present”. It was about 5 am on the east coast and I must admit, I did nod a little but altogether it was very good from what I saw.

At first, I thought I would not have much to say but then I decided to use the opportunity to out a project I had been working on concerning entrepreneurship education and higher education.

It would have been great to be physically present. Pre-recorded videos are all good but they don’t make for the best TED talks.

All in all, I am glad that distance did not prevent me from connecting with all the wonderful people.

All in all, it is interesting and heartwarming to realize that TEDxYouthInspire was not only inspiring to the attendees but to the speakers as well. What remains is how to translate this positive outflow of youthful energy into concrete action.

On 10th April 2010, the much-anticipated TEDxYouthInspire was held at Accra’s Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, AITI-KACE, and broadcast to the global audience live through the power of the Internet.

The event, which was hosted by Google Ghana’s Country Lead Estelle Akofio-Sowah, challenged, engaged and inspired attendees. All five young speakers who graced the TEDxYI stage did a good job on the day. This piece examines the details of what they shared.

Esi Yankah, Founder and President of the African Mentor Network, in her speech titled The African Dream, tackled the conflict between personal goals on one hand, and societal and family expectations on the other. Her speech was deeply introspective as she enumerated various obstacles that often lie in the way of achieving the African dream and suggested ways of countering them. Esi was clearly passionate about her dreams: “Then I thought, why should we even live in someone else’s dream? Why can’t we create our own? We, Africans come from a continent which has bred some of the brightest and most innovative people in the world like Wole Soyinka and Kofi Annan.”

Next to mount the stage was the 18-year old Internet prodigy, Shirley Osei-Mensah, who is a student of the online-based Keystone National High School. Shirley shared insights on 10 keys to success. Her talk was direct and engaging as she highlighted each of the 10 points on her list. Shirley emphasized the importance of focus and sacrifices, in any endeavour, and dismissed the oft sought-after overnight success as an illusion. “If you want to achieve something, you must strive hard for it”, she said.

Aboyeji E. Iyinoluwa, another teenage whiz kid, then came on board, albeit virtually, to speak on The Purpose-Driven Cheetah. Aboyeji, who is President of the Board for University of Waterloo publication, Imprint, drew inspiration from the renowned Ghanaian economist Professor George Ayittey’s dissertation on why Africa has failed to achieve its development goals. Aboyeji pointed out the relevance of youth action in addressing the continent’s backwardness, citing examples of some initiatives he’s involved in that are aimed at addressing some of the problems facing the youth.

In what was probably the most professional and freestyle delivery of the day, Yawa Hansen-Quao, Founder of the Leading Ladies Network, touched on a new approach to women empowerment that goes beyond the usual confrontational style employed by many women’s right movements. Touching on how equal opportunity for both men and women will contribute to the ultimate good of society, Yawa emphasized that it was completely possible for women to have successful careers and family if they receive the right support from society. The trendsetting first ever female Student Council President in Ghana drew applause from the gathering for her deep insights and oratory.

To round off activities for the day, Mac-Jordan Holdbrookes-Degadjor, blogger and social media activist, gave a comprehensive submission on The Positive Effects of Social Media. Mac-Jordan said he was attracted to social media because of the love for writing and literature he cultivated in Senior High School. Presenting a wide array of tools to the audience, Mac-Jordan emphasized how social media has radicalized the gathering and dissemination of valuable information. He went on to share how this revolution has positively influenced his life, getting the opportunity to be part of exciting development-oriented events, such as the global climate change conference, COP-15, recently held in Copenhagen, Denmark, meeting important global personalities and establishing himself as an icon on the Ghanaian Internet scene. Mac-Jordan finally urged his fellow youth to make the optimum use of social media as this could open doors of opportunity for them beyond their wildest imaginations.

The host of the day, Estelle, steered affairs in a very coherent, seamless and easy-flowing manner that also reflected her passion for youth, Ghana and Africa.

TEDxYouthInspire may have come and gone, but what lingers on is the seed that’s been planted in attendees’ hearts by their contemporaries-the desire and energy to lead an Africa-inspired change on the continent. There’s already talk ongoing in social media circles about what people in the Accra area can do to keep the ideas discussed at TEDxYI alive. The stage has been set for action!

The Planning Committee is deeply grateful to the speakers, volunteer team members, attendees, partners and sponsors for creating an extraordinary event.

TEDxYouthInspire by the numbers

• 72 registered guests
• 5 speakers
• 1 live performance
• 4 TEDTalks
• 1 Academy-award nominated short film
• 500 total views of the event via Livestream

Watch video highlights from AfricaNews

At the age of 15, she fell ill and had to stop schooling to pursue treatment. Not willing to let sickness deter her education, Shirley searched for solutions that would allow her to continue studies.

Now a student at Keystone National High School, Shirley, who lives with her parents and sister in Kumasi, takes all her coursework online and has found time to create a lucrative business from blogging.

Focused on inspiring others, Shirley uses her web exposure to share her story of self-motivation, and provides tips about entrepreneurship and making money online.

TEDxYouthInspire: Most of the young people we see around Accra, working and schooling at the same time, do so to support their families and themselves. What was the urgency for you to start a business?
Shirley Osei-Mensah: I didn’t start my business to take care of family or myself. I felt sick in 2007 while in school. I felt pain in my eyes and head, and I couldn’t write or read from a text book. I could only read from the PC or the TV. So I stopped schooling in pursuit of treatment. While on treatment, I joined a question-and-answer website primarily to help people find solutions to PC-related technical questions and also to find an online job. As a result of that, I discovered articles on kids making money online. I also discovered how to design a blog and make money from Google Ad Sense. The first time I made a blog it didn’t go all that well so I started over in December 2009. Now I am ranked very high on the Allexer ranking website.

TEDxYI: What challenges, if any, have you faced being both young and a woman?
SOM: Well, as a young woman, when you talk to somebody about your business, they don’t take you seriously. They think what you are saying is stupid, especially since the field I’m in is mostly dominated by males. But it’s not all that tough for me. When I was in school, I had a lot of competition with boys in quizzes, so for me has become fun.

TEDxYI: You are in high school and go to school online in Ghana. How is that possible?
SOM: In the United States, there are high schools that are registered as long distance education providers. They provide education through correspondence; either through snail mail or email. So, I’m not a Ghanaian student, I’m a US student.

The school provides study materials online – my school also has an option to choose text-based or electronic-based correspondence. Assignments are uploaded when completed. But there is a problem with attending school this way – it’s expensive. It costs 2,195 USD per year, plus textbook expenses to attend.

TEDxYI: Bill Gates, the mogul behind Microsoft, dropped out of school to pursue his business idea. What is keeping you in school?
SOM: I thought of that but my mum said that wasn’t an option. She said, school comes first and I should do schooling first and then business can come second. I told her about Bill Gates but she still insisted that I be in school.

TEDxYI: Are there any challenges with combining school and business?
SOM: Yeah there are a whole lot of challenges. It depends on your time and socialisation. For me, the social part is not a problem because I am not all that well. But you should know when to do business and when to do school. So I have divided my day into two parts; I do school from 7AM to 12PM and business from 1PM until I go to sleep.

TEDxYI: What advice do you have for your peers?
SOM: Don’t let what has happened to you let you down. I know it’s tough, I haven’t even finished going through all the tough times yet. But you shouldn’t focus on the bad side. Focus on your strength and then see how you can use that strength in your current situation to succeed.

Shirley Osei-Mensah will be speaking at TEDxYouthInspire in Accra, Ghana on April 10, 2010. To learn more about her visit www.shirleyszone.com.

Rawlings Sam, a TEDxYouthInspire volunteer, conducted this interview with Ms. Osei-Mensah.

An active changemaker from Agona Kwanyako in the Central Region of Ghana, Esi Yankah is founder and president of The Africa Mentor Network (TAMN), a new kind of organization that allows African leaders to shape the lives of the younger generation through a measurable, long-term networking program.

Cautious to always live a life that is cheerful and purposeful, Esi does not believe that entrepreneurs like herself are an extraordinary breed of people; rather, as she explains, “We just back our faith with action.”

TEDxYouthInspire: What has been some of your greatest challenges so far with your project, The Africa Mentor Network?
Esi Yankah: Just like the Parable of the Sower, no good comes without challenges. The Africa Mentor Network, a project I am deeply passionate about, has taken me though many ups and downs. There have been days when I just want to give up, but I remind myself that people are counting on me and that keeps me moving.

In the initial stages, one major challenge I faced was getting people to support my vision for the organization. When you start something new, there is always a crop of disbelievers. You have those who join, but don’t want to put work into elevating the project; the naysayers, who discourage you and think the vision is too big; and those who just want to be attached to the project if it becomes big.

TEDxYI: You’ve been quoted as saying, “Africa needs us!” in relation to talented young Africans continuing to build a strong, fruitful continent. How is TAMN filling this need?
EY: There is a need in Africa for motivated, inspired young people who have an interest in opportunities on and development of the continent as a whole. Filling that need is the mission of TAMN. Our aim is to bridge the gap between the young and the old, the rich and the poor; to unite and become agents of change within our societies.

TEDxYI: How do you define success?
EY: Success means caring for people and bringing them along with you as you make your way up your ladder of achievement.

TEDxYI: What advice do you have for young Africans looking to make a positive change in the world?
EY: Young people need to rise up and be the change they want to see. They have to realize they are responsible for their own future and should therefore avoid being an audience. They need to become active participators in the process of transformation.

Esi Yankah will be speaking at TEDxYouthInspire in Accra, Ghana on April 10, 2010. To learn more about her visit www.africamentor.org.

Interview kindly conducted by TEDxYouthInspire volunteer Daisy Baffoe.

Accra, Ghana, December 1, 2009 – On Saturday, April 10, 2010, from 8:00AM – 6PM GMT, the inaugural TEDxYouthInspire conference will be held at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT in Accra, Ghana. The one-day, free event will be the first TEDx event dedicated exclusively to young African visionaries ages 14-25.

Tasked with inspiring young people to make sustainable transformation, the conference will utilize the theme “A Good Head & A Good Heart”, from former South African President Nelson Mandela’s 1995 autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, to exhibit how radical thought and integrity of spirit combine to create unlimited possibilities for a brighter future.

“It is important that young people are aware of their power as local and global community leaders,” says Raquel Wilson, event curator, “TEDxYouthInspire will encourage participants to collaborate and embrace their shared passions for change.”

Space for TEDxYouthInspire is limited. Young people interested in attending should apply online at www.tedxyouthinspire.org/attend. Eligible applications must be received by Sunday, January 31, 2010 to be considered for admission.

Individual and corporate sponsorship packages are available. Additional information about TEDxYouthInspire can be found by visiting www.tedxyouthinspire.org. You can also follow along on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tedxyouthinspir or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tedxyouthinspire.

Click here to download the TEDxYouthInspire Press Release #1.

We are also looking for volunteers for preplanning and production assistance. Complete our volunteer recruitment form if your are interested in helping with the conference.