AFS IEP Ghana Newsletter | April 2026 Edition: #8

📰 AFS Ghana Newsletter | April 2026 Edition — Issue #8

As the year gathers momentum, AFS Ghana continues to open doors for young people to explore the world, develop critical skills, and take their place as global citizens.

In this edition, we bring you exciting opportunities with fast-approaching deadlines, inspiring student journeys across continents, and impactful programmes happening right here in Ghana. From global leadership platforms to local cultural immersion experiences, this issue highlights how AFS is shaping confident, curious, and connected young leaders ready to make a difference.

Whether you are a student, educator, parent, volunteer, or partner, we invite you to explore the many ways you can engage with AFS and be part of this global community.

🌍⏳ Final Call: Join the AFS Ghana Delegation to the 2026 Youth Assembly!

The window is closing—and the opportunity is too important to miss.

Applications for the 2026 AFS Youth Assembly in Geneva are now in the final stages, with strong submissions already received from across Ghana. Competition is high, but applications are still open, offering one last chance to be selected as part of the AFS Ghana delegation.

This prestigious global gathering brings together young leaders from around the world to collaborate on solutions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hosted in Geneva, Switzerland, a global hub for diplomacy and international cooperation, participants will engage directly with policymakers, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future.

Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for:

Young people aspiring to careers in international relations, diplomacy, and global development
Students seeking global exposure and leadership experience
Entrepreneurs building purpose-driven ventures
Activists and advocates working to create change
Creatives and innovators passionate about global impact

⏳ With the deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act.

👉 Apply now: https://www.afs.org.gh/join-us-at-the-2026-afs-youth-assembly/

🏆 AFS Students Attend the National Spelling Bee

AFS Ghana proudly selected students from its school clubs—including Presec, Accra Girls, Accra High, Labone SHS, Achimota School, St. John’s Grammar, and TEMASCO—to attend the National Spelling Bee at GNAT Hall on February 19, 2026.

The event offered students a front-row view of academic excellence, discipline, and resilience. Witnessing the intensity of competition and the composure of participants inspired many to elevate their own academic aspirations.

Congratulations to Eugene Osei Mensah, who emerged as this year’s champion.

AFS remains committed to nurturing confident, globally minded young leaders who pursue excellence.

👉 Join an AFS School Club or register your school to partner with us by visiting our website. Join a School Club

👩🏽‍🔬🌍 AFS Global STEM Accelerators 2026 for Girls — A Fully Funded Opportunity

AFS continues to invest in the next generation of female leaders in STEM through the AFS Global STEM Accelerators Programme 2026.

This fully funded virtual scholarship is open to girls aged 15 to 17.5 years, providing an opportunity to build both technical knowledge and global leadership skills in a supportive international environment.

Participants will:

Strengthen their understanding of STEM concepts and real-world applications
Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
Collaborate with peers from across the globe
Receive mentorship from experienced educators and professionals

Upon completion, scholars will earn the Advanced Certificate on Global Competence for Social Impact, awarded in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania Centre for Social Impact Strategy.

📅 Application Deadline: 15 April 2026
👉 Apply now: https://application.afs.org/stem/s/applynowregister

🌍✨ AFS Students Experience Leadership and Sustainability at “I ACT”

In January, a select group of AFS Ghana school club and exchange students from Ghana and Italy gathered at Villa Boutique in Accra to participate in “I ACT”, an initiative organised by the Italian Embassy in Accra.

The event focused on equipping young people with knowledge and practical skills to lead projects in renewable energy and sustainable development. Through six structured workshops, participants explored renewable energy principles, examined real-world solutions, and reflected on the role of youth in shaping sustainable communities.

The collaborative environment fostered cross-cultural dialogue, strategic thinking, and shared responsibility. AFS Ghana is proud to see its students engaging in initiatives that prepare them to address global challenges with confidence and innovation.

👉 Discover how your school can partner with AFS for leadership and sustainability programmes — visit our website to get started. Start a School Club

🗣️🌍 Young Debaters Competition — Ghanaian Voices on the Global Stage

A bold new initiative is empowering Ghanaian youth to speak up, stand out, and step onto the global stage.

AFS Ghana, in partnership with the Young Educators Foundation, has launched the 2026 Young Debaters Competition—a platform designed to nurture confident communicators and critical thinkers. Open to students aged 16–17, the programme goes beyond traditional debate by encouraging participants to engage deeply with global issues, articulate their perspectives, and develop their unique voice.

🌟 A Transformational Experience
Participants will benefit from:

Professional coaching and public speaking training
Interactive workshops and mentorship
Opportunities to build confidence, clarity, and leadership presence

Top performers will go on to represent Ghana at the International Public Speaking Competition in London, UK, joining a global network of young leaders.

📅 Application Deadline: 17 April 2026
👉 Apply now: yefoundationghana.org/the-young-debaters

✈️ Your 2027 AFS Global Exchange Journey Begins

AFS Ghana is excited to officially open applications for the 2027 Global Exchange Programs, offering young people the opportunity to live, learn, and grow in diverse cultural settings across the world.

🌍 Why Choose AFS?
AFS programmes are designed to build lifelong skills, including:

Intercultural understanding and empathy
Leadership and communication skills
Adaptability and resilience
Language proficiency and global awareness

🌟 Programme Options
Students can choose from a variety of destinations and experiences:

🎌 A full academic year in Japan
🇫🇷 A semester in France
🇿🇦 Short-term service programmes in South Africa
🇲🇽 University pathways in Mexico

With financial support and discounts available, these life-changing opportunities are more accessible than ever.

👉 Explore programmes: https://www.afs.org.gh/study-abroad/find-your-program/

🌳🏰 Exchange Students Explore Ghana’s Natural and Historical Heritage

AFS exchange students recently visited Kakum National Park and Cape Coast Castle, two of Ghana’s most significant landmarks.

At Kakum, students walked the famous canopy walkway suspended above the rainforest, gaining a thrilling yet safe perspective of Ghana’s ecological beauty.

At Cape Coast Castle, the experience shifted to reflection and historical learning.
The visit provided deeper insight into Ghana’s past and its role in global history—adding powerful context to the exchange journey.

Excursions such as these ensure that students experience Ghana beyond the classroom—connecting with its environment, history, and identity in meaningful ways.

👉 Support our exchange programmes or apply to become an AFS student today via our website. Apply today

🇯🇵✈️ From Ghana to Japan: Maame Efua Begins Her Exchange Journey

We are proud to celebrate Maame Efua Esselba Owusu Boateng, a Form 2 student from Ghana National College, Cape Coast who has begun her AFS exchange journey to Japan—marking the start of a truly transformative experience.

In Japan, Efua will encounter a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation—from serene tea ceremonies and historic temples to advanced technology and fast-paced urban life.

She will be attending Baika Senior High School in Toyonaka, where she will immerse herself in academic life, build cross-cultural friendships, and deepen her understanding of a new society.

Efua’s journey reflects the essence of AFS—learning through lived experience and growing into a confident, globally minded leader.

👉 Follow more stories: https://www.afs.org.gh

🌍✨ Cultural Immersion in Ho — Experiencing Ghana Beyond the Classroom

AFS Ghana continues to strengthen intercultural learning within Ghana through innovative local immersion experiences.

Recently, exchange students from Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and France participated in a week-long cultural programme in Ho, Volta Region, designed to expose them to life beyond the capital.

Students lived with host families and attended local schools, including Mawuli School, Sonrise School, OLA Girls SHS, and Mawuko Girls SHS, where they engaged fully in classroom and community life.

From sharing meals with host families to participating in daily routines and school activities, students experienced Ghana in a deeply authentic way. Many described the experience as eye-opening, particularly noting the structure of school systems and the strong sense of community. The warmth of host families and the opportunity to build genuine relationships were among the most memorable aspects.

This programme not only enriched the students’ experience but also strengthened AFS Ghana’s partnerships within the Volta Region, opening doors for future collaboration.

👉 Learn how to host or participate: https://www.afs.org.gh

🇪🇸🇬🇭 Strengthening Bilateral Exchange: Meeting with H.E. Ángel Lossada

AFS Ghana recently held a strategic meeting with H.E. Ángel Lossada, Ambassador of Spain to Ghana and Togo, to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in advancing intercultural exchange between our countries.

The discussion focused on expanding student mobility between Ghana and Spain, with particular emphasis on structured language exchange pathways — promoting Spanish language immersion opportunities for Ghanaian students in Spain and English language exchange experiences in Ghana for Spanish students.

The meeting highlighted the shared value both institutions place on youth development, intercultural understanding, and educational diplomacy. Language exchange programs were identified as a powerful tool for strengthening bilateral relations, building global competence, and preparing young people to thrive in an interconnected world.

Explorations also included potential institutional partnerships, cultural programming, and support frameworks that could enhance accessibility and participation in exchange programs between the two countries.

This engagement marks an important step toward reinforcing Ghana–Spain educational cooperation and creating structured pathways for students to experience authentic linguistic and cultural immersion.

AFS Ghana remains committed to working with diplomatic missions, educational institutions, and strategic partners to expand global learning opportunities for young people.

👉 Interested in Spanish exchange programs to Spain? Register your interest and learn more about upcoming opportunities on our website. Explore Spanish Programs

🎉🌍 2026 AFS Camp Returns — Bigger, Bolder, Better

One of AFS Ghana’s most anticipated youth programmes is back—and set to be even more impactful.

The 2026 AFS Camp will bring together young people from across the country for an engaging experience focused on leadership development, global citizenship, teamwork, and personal growth.

Participants can look forward to:

Interactive leadership and skills-building sessions
Fun and challenging team activities, including treasure hunts
Sports, games, and creative expression
A memorable Dinner Dance and Prom Night celebrating the journey

The camp provides a unique environment where young people build confidence, form lifelong friendships, and discover their potential as changemakers.

🌍 High School & Volunteer Exchange Moments

Across Ghana, AFS exchange students continue to embrace everyday life with their host families—sharing cultures, building relationships, and learning through real experiences.

From learning Ghanaian dance moves to participating in family traditions, these moments highlight the beauty of intercultural exchange in its simplest form.

These experiences remain at the heart of AFS—shaping globally aware, empathetic, and confident young leaders.

👉 Start your journey: https://www.afs.org.gh/study-abroad/find-your-program/