It's a wrap: 2023 Summer Internship Programme
The excitement and mixed feelings that came with the closing ceremony of the AKAYA Summer Internship Programme was underrated. The AKAYA Summer Internship Programme came to an end with a closing ceremony at the YOTA Hub in Accra, Ghana on Friday, 29th September, 2023, and left everyone involved, inspired and motivated. The event showcased the hard work and dedication of the interns, as well as the beautiful plan executed by the Team Leads.
Let’s look at the highlights of this remarkable ceremony!
The AKAYA Summer Internship Programme is an intensive summer internship programme launched this year and it seeks to equip young female students with the right tools, skills and knowledge to professionally excel and become successful future leaders. The 2.5 months programmed was from 17th July, 2023 to 28th September, 2023 and was a combination of online and in-person meetings. This paid internship program was aimed at supporting current university students in their personal and professional development, where the selected interns were required to fulfil their specific roles and duties for the AKAYA Foundation, while partaking in intensive and comprehensive mentorship sessions, and collectively working among themselves to propose a social action project to benefit the community.
Organizing a closing ceremony for the first cohort of the AKAYA Summer Internship Programme was indeed an important event to acknowledge the achievements of the interns, while providing an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication they have put into their specific roles and positions. This ceremony allowed for a formal and public recognition of their accomplishments, which boosted their confidence and motivation. It also served as a way to celebrate their contributions and the impacts they have made to the AKAYA Foundation. At the end of the closing ceremony, there was a sense of closure that provided a platform for the interns to reflect on their experiences and share their learnings with others.
The closing ceremony commenced with an opening prayer by Mr. Anselm Aubrey Arthur , the Team Lead for the Graphic Design Intern. Ms. Betty Adjoa Mackay , the Programme Manager and Team Lead for the Content Writing Intern who also doubled as the M.C, briefly introduced the guests. The Founder of AKAYA, Dr Khadija Owusu , gave the purpose of gathering – a very emotional moment, it was. There was a short interlude by the media, showing a video compilation of the interview and selection process. Afterwards, Ms. Mackay led the introduction of the interns and briefly explained the entire internship journey and the Social Action Project, which the interns have to implement in a community, as part of AKAYA’s mission.
Following that, the interns were given the stage to pitch their Social Action Project to the audience and accepted questions at the end of the pitch. The interns had the opportunity to showcase their projects, sharing their experiences, challenges, and achievements. The presentations were a testament to the interns’ growth and development throughout the program, leaving the audience impressed by their innovative ideas and problem-solving skills.? Ms. Benedicta Owusu , one of the interns, also pitched her project on reducing menstrual poverty. Following the presentations, a moment of pride and accomplishment filled the air as the interns were each presented with their well-deserved certificates. The certificates symbolized the successful completion of the AKAYA Foundation Summer Internship Programme, and served as a tangible reminder of their hard work and dedication over the course of 2.5 months.
Further enriching the interns’ experience, the esteemed Team Leads took the stage to share their observations, wisdom and insights during the Summer Internship. They provided valuable advice to the interns on career development and the importance of continuous learning. Their words of encouragement and guidance resonated with the interns, inspiring them to strive for excellence and pursue their passions while applying all that they have learned from every session organized by the AKAYA Foundation. Ms. Patience Dery , one of the interns, then took to the stage to share the Vote of Thanks and Dr. Khadija Owusu then gave the closing remarks, focused on “What Next for the Summer Internship Program?”. The closing prayer was offered by Ms. @Sobaha tuntee Tunteeya Sadick, and the closing ceremony for the first cohort of the AKAYA Foundation Summer Internship Programme was finally a wrap! The AKAYA Foundation Summer Internship Programme has been highly successful. The interns were provided with valuable opportunities to gain practical experience in their chosen, respective fields and they have been able to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios, contributing to the success of various projects of AKAYA Foundation. The interns have shown great dedication, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn, which has greatly benefited AKAYA Foundation.
The closing ceremony for the AKAYA Foundation Summer Internship Programme was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved. The pitching, certificate presentations, and advice from Team Leads provided valuable insights and inspiration for the interns. It was a momentous occasion where the interns showcased their hard work and dedication throughout the Summer Internship Programme. The ceremony also served as a platform for networking and fostering connections among the interns, Team Leads and invited guests in attendance. Overall, it was a memorable event that celebrated the achievements and growth of the interns, marking the end of a transformative journey.
We can't wait to see what's in store for the next cohort of interns in 2024!