As KDI School continues to make its mark in academia, its alumni are also taking greater strides in their different fields in their home countries and the world over. KDI School prides itself in having alumni in over 140 countries all over the world. One such milestone was when Mr. Brian Dzansi, 2014 alumni from Ghana, was selected for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship in recognition  of his leadership and entrepreneurial contributions to his local community. One may ask, “What does this mean for our school?” For me, it means that I should not limit my dreams and aspirations and the difference begins here at KDI School. If our predecessors like Mr. Dzansi are leading the way, we should follow suit. Below I had a chat with Mr. Dzansi, we talked about his educational background and his journey at and after KDI School leading to his selection for the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Please tell us about your background, where were you born and raised?

Hello! I am Brian Dzansi Dzidefo. I was born in Ho, the regional capital of the Volta Region, and I'm the youngest in a family of four. I spent my teenage years in the bustling border town of Aflao/Denu, right next to Togo. A memorable experience growing up was my first encounter with the internet in the cyber cafes of Lomé, Togo, which sparked my interest in Tech. After high school, I moved to Accra, the capital of Ghana, and later pursued my university education in Kumasi, the second-largest city in Ghana. Growing up in these diverse cities has enriched my perspective and equipped me to navigate life with a broad and adaptable outlook.

Can you please tell us about your educational background?

I started my education at Mawuli Primary School in Ho. When my family moved to Aflao/Denu, I enrolled at Amazing Love School to complete my Junior High School. Amazing Love provided me with a multicultural educational experience, making friends from diverse countries and backgrounds that significantly shaped my future. I went on to study General Science at Bishop Herman College and then pursued a BSc in Electrical/Electronic Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). A year after graduating, I was blessed to receive a scholarship to study policy at KDI School.

Let’s talk about your time at KDI School. What were your interests, and what did you enjoy most during your time there?

I enrolled in KDI School as an engineer with a limited background in economics and social sciences. I knew I had to work extra hard to keep up with my peers from more traditional policy backgrounds. However, the experience turned out to be incredible. Initially, I planned to focus on energy policy, but I soon shifted my interest toward entrepreneurship and technology policy. This newfound passion guided my course selections, as I aimed to understand Korea's approach to private sector development, entrepreneurship, and the evolution of their digital ecosystem. I immersed myself in Korea's tech scene by visiting numerous tech hubs and startups and by attending tech events.

During my time at KDIS, I served as a student reporter, which allowed me to engage with my peers and share their fascinating Korean stories, as well as interview professors for articles in the Globe magazine. I was also very active in sports, playing soccer most weekends when the weather allowed. I loved exploring Seoul, spending weekends touring sites, and attending cultural events. Itaewon was one of my favorite spots.

I became the President of the African Students Association at KDI School. One of our major achievements was organizing the first-ever Africa Week, which highlighted various African cultures. We hosted an Africa Forum that brought many African diplomats to campus for discussions, and our colleagues shared their research papers with policy recommendations for Africa. As President, I also led a street march to raise awareness about the Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram, where we carried placards and marched through the streets of Seoul. One of the most memorable experiences at KDIS was participating in the song and dance festival. My dance team won the top prize with our mix of dances from West, East, and Southern Africa.

You have been selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Congratulations. Could you please tell us about that experience?

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the U.S. Government's flagship program under the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), administered by IREX. I was honored to be selected as one of the 700 fellows from across Africa. I was placed in the Business Leadership Track at Notre Dame University, where I had an incredible learning experience. The program included academic sessions on entrepreneurship development, leadership development workshops, and volunteer work at the food bank at the South Bend Entrepreneurship Program where I also advised local entrepreneurs. We had numerous networking events with American business professionals, coaching sessions to develop projects, and visits to companies like IBM, Amazon and other South Bend SMEs where we learned and shared best business practices.

What was the selection process like?

It is often said that gaining entry into the Mandela Washington Fellowship is even more challenging than getting into Harvard, considering the acceptance rate. Over the past decade, more than 430,000 people have applied, but only 6,500 have made the cut. The application process begins with a call for applications. Interested candidates submit essays detailing their leadership impact in their local communities. This is followed by a shortlisting process conducted by IREX's institutional partners in the U.S. In Ghana, about 100 applicants were shortlisted and interviewed by US Embassy staff in Accra. Ultimately, 32 were selected to represent Ghana for the 2024 cohort.

What do you think was unique about you that got you selected?

I believe my established record as a leader in Ghana's tech and entrepreneurship ecosystem was a significant factor in my selection. The fellowship emphasizes a commitment to community service, which I have demonstrated through my work at Node Eight, an innovation company a founded 6 years ago. Under my leadership, we have supported over 50 SMEs, trained over 200 young people with essential digital skills, and reached over 5000 youth through various impact-driven such as STEM outreach programs and the construction of a youth park.

Tell us about the day you received the news of your selection. How did you feel about it?

I was at work at the hub when the email notification popped up on my phone. I was over the moon. After so many rejections from fellowships and grants that year, it was a huge relief to finally get a YES! I immediately called my wife, family, and colleagues to share the exciting news. I also shot a WhatsApp message to my mentor, Serge, to thank him for his invaluable help with my fellowship essay.

What advice do you have for anyone who would like to apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship?

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is truly a transformative experience. It's exceptionally well-organized, packed with valuable content, and offers immense benefits for young leaders looking to expand their impact. Imagine the opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate with like-minded young people from all 48 African countries, along with accessing opportunities in both the U.S. private and government sectors. You'll meet inspiring individuals and forge lasting friendships. I highly recommend every young African leader consider this fellowship as a unique chance for continued learning and growth, akin to a short MBA. The selection process is highly competitive, so it's crucial to document your impact accurately, be genuine, and avoid exaggerations.

Any other comments?

I’m happy to review essays for any KDIS alumni who are interested in applying for the fellowship.