Young Leaders Drive Dialogue on Resilient Leadership at WYDE Mentorship Breakfast in Accra

On 30 April 2026, emerging political leaders gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the first session of the EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series, focused on “Resilient Leadership in High-Pressure Environments.” Organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office within the framework of the WYDE Political Parties project, the session brought together a dynamic group of young leaders committed to strengthening their role in democratic governance. 

From the very start, the session was marked by a strong sense of energy, openness and engagement. Designed as an interactive and participant-centred experience, the breakfast format created a space for meaningful exchange, where participants could openly reflect on leadership challenges and share personal experiences in navigating complex political and institutional environments.

A highlight of the session was the keynote address by Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, who offered practical insights into leadership under pressure, drawing from her experience in governance and political negotiation. Her reflections set the tone for a day focused not only on leadership skills, but also on resilience, responsibility and integrity in public life. 

Participants then engaged in breakout mentoring circles, rotating across thematic discussions on leadership decision-making, personal leadership and managing external pressures. These sessions, led by experienced practitioners, encouraged open dialogue on ethical dilemmas, emotional intelligence, stress management and the realities of leadership in politically demanding contexts. 

One of the most valued moments of the session was the gender-based safe space mentoring, where participants reflected on leadership challenges from different perspectives, including navigating male-dominated environments, building confidence, fostering allyship and promoting responsible leadership. This format enabled honest conversations and deeper peer connection.

Throughout the session, what stood out was not only the quality of the discussions, but also the strong sense of commitment among participants. The interactive format, combined with peer learning and mentorship, created an environment where ideas could be challenged, experiences shared and leadership approaches rethought.

The session concluded with a reflection exercise, where each participant identified a concrete leadership action to implement in the coming weeks—turning discussion into commitment and learning into practice. 

Through initiatives such as this mentorship series, the WYDE Political Parties project continues to support democratic development by strengthening political leadership, promoting youth participation in politics and fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and cooperation between political actors across regions.

This first session of the Mentorship Breakfast Series marks a promising start, highlighting the potential of young leaders to shape more resilient, inclusive and accountable political systems.

Event Details

Event: EU WYDE Mentorship Breakfast Series – Session 1
Theme: Resilient Leadership in High-Pressure Environments
Date: 30 April 2026
Location: Accra, Ghana
Organised by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Ghana Office
Project: WYDE Political Parties – funded by the European Union