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Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson

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Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson
The Founder & Director of GEIG
Born
Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson

(1985-01-02) January 2, 1985 (age 39)[1]
OccupationSocial Entrepreneur
Websitegirlsedgh.org

Elizabeth Akua Nyarko Patterson (born 1985) is a Ghanaian social entrepreneur and the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG).[2][3]

Early life and education

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Patterson was born in 1985 in Kumasi[1] in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Her family moved to America in 1995 and she attended school there. When she was in her final year in high school, she was involved in a motor vehicle accident in which she suffered a traumatic brain injury which affected her cognitive and intellectual abilities, and also left her with a physical disability.[1][4][5][3] She completed high school while recovering in hospital.[1] She holds a BA in Political Science and Business Management from Caldwell College,[1][5] and a Masters in Public Administration from the New York University Wagner School of Public Service.[1][5]

Career

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Patterson worked as a communications and marketing associate at Junior Achievement in New York.[1][5] After returning to Ghana in 2006, she was a volunteer teacher at the World Links Academy in Kumasi,[1][5] and then director of communication and marketing for the Council of Young African Leaders.[1][5] She experienced more difficulty accessing public facilities in Africa than she had in America. She also observed that a student at Kumasi who had learning difficulties was believed to be affected by evil spirits.[1][5]

These experiences inspired her to found the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG) in 2013, to provide support for disadvantaged girls, particularly those with special needs, to attend school.[1][4][6][7][8] GEIG supports girls in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions,[5] and has assisted over thirty girls to attend and complete school from the basic level through to the tertiary level.[9][10][11][12] Patterson was named Vlisco Ambassador in 2015,[13][14][15] because "despite all that had happened in her life, she has proven that disability is not inability. She has strong values and a big dream of ensuring all girls and women have equal footing in Ghana".[16] She has been a TedxAccra speaker.[17][18][19]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Nonor, Daniel (26 June 2015). "Against all odds: From coma to stardom". The Weekend Finder. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  2. ^ Debrah, Ameyaw (2015-03-10). "Meet TEDxAccra speaker, Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson". AmeyawDebrah. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  3. ^ a b "How trauma led to the creation of a school in Ghana catered to girls with special needs". CNBC Africa. 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  4. ^ a b "Meet Vlisco awards nominee Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson". Citi Fm Online. 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Read: Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson & the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana Story". Proudly Ghanaian!. 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  6. ^ "Girls Education Initiative of Ghana". Girlsedgh. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  7. ^ "Read: Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson & the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana Story". TotalShowbiz. 2015-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  8. ^ "Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson | The Future of Ghana". Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  9. ^ AXSChat.Elizabeth Patterson.Founder of the Girls education initiative of Ghana, retrieved 2019-01-31
  10. ^ "Joy 99.7 FM". Facebook. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  11. ^ "12 Ghanaians nominated for Exla Young Achievers Award 2015 - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  12. ^ "Persons with disability don't want sympathy; we need respect – Isaac Tuggun - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  13. ^ "Patterson Wins Vlisco Ambassador 2015". Ghana News Agency. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  14. ^ "Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson". obaasema. 2015-08-05. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  15. ^ "Elizabeth Patterson announced as new Vlisco Ambassador for 2015". Graphic Online. 2015-04-14. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  16. ^ "VLISCO Intensifies Women's Month 'Live The Dream' Campaign". The Herald Ghana. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  17. ^ Adepoju, Taiwo. "Elizabeth Patterson #GHANA says "My auto accident of twelve years ago. It changed my entire narrative and life story"". Phenomenal African Woman. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  18. ^ "Speakers – TEDxAdum". Retrieved 2019-01-31.
  19. ^ "Peace Hyde, Ben Avle, Ethel Cofie And More To Speak At TEDxAccra 2015". CypressGhana. 2015-02-02. Retrieved 2019-01-31.
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