Introducing Africa’s Best: Meet the 2014 Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE)

4) Deniece Oppong-Yeboah

Age: 26
Nationality: Ghanaian
Education: Syracuse University (BA), Howard University (MS)
Current Title: Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State; Executive Director, Oduko Boatemaa Foundation
Presentation Topic: Encouraging Rural Development in Africa

Deniece Oppong-Yeboah currently serves as a Special Assistant to Secretary of State John Kerry. She has traveled to more than 50 countries across the globe, supporting U. S. foreign policy overseas. She began her career at the U.S. Department of State as an intern in the Bureau of African Affairs and the Bureau for Democracy Human Rights and Labor. Ms. Yeboah is a staunch advocate of promoting African rural development and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Oduko Boatemaa Foundation (OBF), a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the lives of youth in the small rural town of Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana. 

Face2Face Africa: In what ways has your African heritage helped or hindered your current work at the Department of State?

Deniece Oppong-Yeboah: In my current position as a special assistant in the Office of the Secretary of State, I have had the privilege of working with two Secretaries of State (Hillary Clinton and John Kerry). As a young woman of African descent and as a first-generation college graduate, my personal background provides a unique set of experiences. Although, it is sometimes challenging not being able to identify colleagues with shared experiences or physical appearances, I recognize that this is what makes my perspective unique. This perspective adds value to the promotion of diversity within the Department, also providing input of my personal experiences to influence foreign policy.

F2FA: What is your vision for Africa, and as a member of the next generation, what are you doing to ensure this vision becomes reality?

DOY: I envision a more equitable society in Africa. I believe that by addressing the current inequalities facing students in rural areas, policymakers will be able to promote educational equity between rural and urban areas. Through my work with the Oduko Boatemaa Foundation, our development projects are to build the knowledge, attitude, skills, awareness, and practical applications necessary to address critical issues of poverty. Current projects focus on advocating for the rights of teenage Mothers, school drop-outs, orphans of HIV/AIDS victims, and street children as well as combating the exploitation of women and children. The foundation provides such support by providing scholarships, textbooks, uniforms, and other academic materials essential to success inside and outside of the classroom.

F2FA: What do you love most about Africa?

DOY: Its many people and determined desire to survive: Africa is continent made up of many nations. As such, the diversity of ethnic groups, languages, culture, and creativity that spans across the continent is remarkable. African people represent millions of different views and ways of life; yet we share a sense of Africanism and have a will to survive among one another.

The disparity of opportunities and challenges yet faith of the people: Youth in many communities across Africa have insufficient access to educational, economic, and health resources; however, the continent is rich in natural resources, also home to some of the fastest-growing economies, and breeding a new regime of young vibrant leaders. This fosters a notion of great hope and a brighter future for the people on a continent of great opportunity and great disadvantages.

The magic of being who you are: In rural communities across the continent of Africa, young girls and women walk down to the river to fetch water, which they carry in buckets on their heads every day. While this task might appear daunting, by this same river is where the most laughter is heard. In the bustling crowded parts of the city, where people are competing with each other and struggling to sell their goods, many are still imbued with positive energy. It is often in Africa where the poor dream of a better life and look with no envy at the rich. The people are happy, regardless of their living situation, and wake up every morning with a fresh, positive attitude about who they are.

 Join Deniece and learn more about her journey at the United Nations on Friday, July 25th. Click here to register.