From March 3 to 8, 2025, 55 outstanding girls from Eswatini, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe gathered in Accra, Ghana, for a transformative leadership experience at the Delta Air Lines LEAD Camp for Girls.
LEAD—Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, and Development—is an immersive, week-long camp hosted by JA Africa in partnership with Delta Air Lines. It aims to nurture the next generation of confident, capable female changemakers. The 2025 edition, held under the theme “Accelerate Action,” marked one of the most dynamic and enriching camps yet.
Participants were selected from JA Africa’s National and Regional Company of the Year Competitions, recognized not just for their entrepreneurial potential, but for their leadership, resilience, and passion for impact. Over the course of the week, they engaged in high-energy workshops, thoughtful discussions, and intimate mentorship sessions with an impressive lineup of accomplished women leaders across various fields.
The week began with a leadership session on emotional intelligence and self-awareness, facilitated by Simi Nwogugu, President & CEO of JA Africa. This was followed by a panel discussion on Women in Technology: Driving Growth through Tech, featuring Ann Fesu (Manager, Go-to-Market and Segments at MTN Group Digital), Nadia Owusu (Youth Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, and JA Alum), Akua Essah (CEO of Child in Tech), and Bimpe Olufemi (Digital Strategy Director at JA Africa).
Simi Nwogugu (President & CEO, JA Africa) Delivering session on emotional intelligence
The girls also participated in development sessions on goal setting, etiquette (led by Abena Antwiwaa Edusei), health and wellness (led by Karis E. Senanu-Adzosii, Certified Coach and Counseling Practitioner), and building a digital brand (led by Maya Dukes, Managing Director, Global Brand Strategy, Creative & Social Media at Delta Air Lines).
One of the most impactful sessions of the week, Empower Her, was led by representatives from The King Center — Dr. Vonnetta L. West, Founder and CEO of Go West Consulting LLC, and Cierra “Fly” Bobo, Founder of FLY Life Inc — who challenged the girls to lead with authenticity, vision, and courage.
Throughout the week, a diverse set of panels and workshops helped the girls expand their thinking and connect with inspiring role models, including:
- Women in Entrepreneurship: Turning Passion into Profit – featuring Mabel Simpson, JA Alum and CEO of mSimps Ghana; Sena Yeboah, Founder of The New You Fitness; and Dr. Ellen Hagan, CEO of L’aine Services Ltd, Co-founder of Fous Digital and Legacy Girls’ College.
- Personal Branding – with Abena Chrappah, Senior Brand Manager for International Premium Spirits & Reserve Brands at Guinness Ghana.
- Careers in Global Development – featuring Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President & CEO of the ONE Campaign and the first African to lead the organization founded by Bono, and Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of the Climate Investment Funds and the first African to hold that position.
- Technical Careers and TVET – with Constance Swaniker, Founder and President of Design & Technology Institute and Founder of Accents & Arts Ltd.
- Women in Creative Arts and Entertainment: Driving Change through Entertainment – with Lisa Quama (top Ghanaian dancer), Aewuradjoa Allottey (pencil artist), Chrystal Kwame-Aryee (MC and Broadcast Journalist), and Patricia Swayne (Program Manager, Community Engagement at Delta Air Lines). During this session, the girls enjoyed a dance challenge with Lisa Quama and participated in a live drawing competition judged by Pencil Artist, Aewuradjoa Allottey. The winning piece, Blossom of Her Crown, which is first of its kind in her collection symbolized the strength, growth, and beauty of the girl child.
- Foluso Gbadamosi, Campaign Lead for the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) initiative, facilitated an engaging session titled “Unleashing Your Superpowers.” Through a simplified MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) activity designed for teenagers, she helped the girls discover their personality types and better understand how their unique strengths can shape their leadership style and future choices.
Women in Creative Arts and Entertainment Panel Session
Unleashing Superpowers Workshop
One of the most anticipated parts of the week was a field trip to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, where the girls engaged with trailblazing women in aviation, including Khady Ndiaye Wooden, Senegal’s first female pilot. Later that day, they toured Ashesi University, gaining exposure to one of Africa’s most prestigious tertiary institutions and learning about higher education opportunities aligned with leadership and innovation.
Field Trip to Ghana Civil Aviation Authority
Exploring Tertiary Education and Opportunities at Ashesi University
The camp concluded with a powerful graduation ceremony, during which each participant was officially inducted into the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) movement— an initiative to equip 10 million African girls with leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy skills to drive social and economic transformation.
This year’s camp would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners at Delta Air Lines, especially the Delta employees on the ground who dedicated their time, passion, and mentorship to every aspect of the experience.
Delta Air Lines Employees at LEAD Camp and 10MAG Launch
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the incredible speakers, facilitators, and volunteers who poured into the girls throughout the week. Your stories, your guidance, and your presence left a mark — and the impact will last a lifetime.
