AU Econ PhD Student Creates Foundation to Support Ghanaian Students

Nana Boakye Yiadom and the first cohort of students at Stand Together Ghana

As a young child growing up in Ghana, American University economics doctoral student Felix "Nana" Boakye Yiadom was widely recognized as a gifted student, destined for great things. But after his mother died suddenly, Nana's life was upended, and his dreams were put on hold.

At first, Nana's older brother dropped out of school to pay the bills, including the cost of Nana's education, but soon the cost of schoolbooks and other necessities became overwhelming. Nana was also forced to leave school. He helped support his family by cobbling together jobs, like selling movies and music cassettes on the streets of Adum-Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana.

Nana worked through much of his teen years, and his earnings put his two younger siblings through high school and community college-his younger brother became a pharmacist, and his sister a data analyst. Around this time, Nana started dreaming about helping other people to realize their potential. "When I was taking care of my kid brother and sister, I made up my mind that if I ever get somewhere in life, I will help underprivileged kids who have a passion for learning," he says.

And now this dream has come true. In January 2023, Nana founded Stand Together Ghana, a nonprofit that provides need-based scholarships to students in the community where he grew up, the Oforikrom municipality of Kumasi. Its mission is to empower students across Ghana to attend school, build self-reliance and resilience, and, ultimately, to unleash their potential and make a difference in the world.

First cohort students with books

In its first year, Stand Together paid tuition for 11 students, along with their related education expenses including uniforms, books, bags, food stipends for each school day, and even health services. Nine of the students are currently in primary school, and two are university students. Nana is actively fundraising to expand the nonprofit's work to support as many as 50 students for the next school year. The need is great-in Kumasi, around 70 percent of children will need outside financial support to attend school, and Nana's foundation has 120 applications for the upcoming school year.

The Long Road to AU

Nana, speaking at the foundation