Mentor Andrews Nii Awuley Lartey spends most of his days planning, strategising and implementing student entrepreneurship programs that seek to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem. He supports students with their CVs, cover letters, and resume reviews at Lancaster University Ghana. Here he is the Business Development and Careers Associate. Andrews also serves on the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG) as the Accra program lead. In this role he coordinating volunteers, partner schools, partners institutions and students to engage in programs. His current initiative is a program connecting communities, and focused on applied STEM. When he is not working, he is reading articles on entrepreneurship on Medium. He also loves playing soccer and spending time with his beloved woman.
We had a chat with Andrews to find out about his experience as a mentor in the Ahaspora Changing Mindsets Mentoring Program.
What inspired you to give back through the Ahaspora mentoring program?
I want to see a future where our current generation and the upcoming generation are able to understand each other and work together. A future where there is less divide in the skills and knowledge among generations. And a future where we can all teach upcoming generations, because we also had someone who taught us. I believe that by giving back through this mentoring program, I will be able to inspire my mentes. I want them to be the great individuals they want to be and also give back to society. In the end, they will be willing to also become mentors to someone because they also had a mentor.
Is this your first time mentoring with Ahaspora?
Not at all! This is my 5th time.
What has been your experience so far as a mentor?
I have realised how my engagement with my mentees gave them the confidence to achieve an objective they may have not embarked on. Sometimes this is purely due to self-doubt and not having anyone to discuss or brainstorm with. One of my mentees, Neizer, wanted assurance on his speech before a debate competition. We scheduled time to talk on the phone about it. Interestingly, he gained more confidence about what he had planned to do and also added key pointers I provided him. He went through to the finals, and although he did not win, the program organiser came to his school gathering and honoured him as the speaker with The Most Compelling Speech at the 2018 Public Speaking Competition. He was also selected to be part of the Yale Young Scholars program in Ghana this past August.
What has been your most memorable moment with your mentee?
My mentees have so much talent such as spoken word, writing songs, blogging and public speaking. I was happy that they really had fun and learnt a lot at the Futurist Event held at Lancaster University Ghana.
What would you say to aspiring mentors?
Aspiring mentors should remember that their little contribution such as listening to the confused mind of their mentee on something they want to embark on in their life can transform them (mentee) to become the change makers who will make our country great and our history a remarkable one .
Would you recommend this program to aspiring mentors, and why?
I 100% recommend this program because it cultivates the mindset and attitude of mentorship which is needed in our lives and at our age for a successful future.
