Ghanaian Advocate Wins Global Leadership Award in Namibia

Ghanaian community advocate Gladys Otae Addo Osei wins the Global Excellence Award in Namibia for her leadership in youth empowerment, governance advocacy and community development (image source)

WINDHOEK — Ghanaian community development advocate and governance activist Gladys Otae Addo Osei has received the Global Excellence Award for Change Maker in Leadership and People’s Development at the 2025 Leaders Without Borders International Forum in Windhoek, Namibia.

Osei, founder and executive director of the Maralitha Care Foundation (MCF), was recognised for her longstanding contributions to youth and women’s empowerment, governance advocacy and local development initiatives across Ghana. Her foundation delivers mentorship programmes, skills training and entrepreneurship support designed to enhance livelihoods for young people and women, strengthen civic engagement and build resilience in underserved communities.

The award jury commended Osei’s ability to translate grassroots efforts into scalable, impactful interventions. They highlighted her focus on linking practical skills training with market access, micro-enterprise support and economic inclusion. Forum participants credited MCF’s initiatives with measurable improvements in incomes and the creation of leadership pathways that sustain community-led development.

Speakers at the awards ceremony also praised Osei’s governance advocacy and her commitment to inclusive decision-making. They noted her role in forging partnerships between civil-society organisations, private-sector mentors and public institutions, helping align local efforts with broader development priorities.

Reflecting on the honour, Osei said the award strengthens her commitment to advancing MCF’s reach and expanding evidence-based programmes. She signalled plans to scale mentorship cohorts, deepen connections between training and market opportunities, and pilot new interventions to support vulnerable youth transitioning into sustainable livelihoods.

Development experts welcomed the recognition but emphasised that sustained funding, transparent impact measurement and strong partnerships will be essential to turning the accolade into long-term social change. For Osei and the Maralitha Care Foundation, the award marks both a milestone and a platform for broader regional expansion.