Bernice Dapaah named 2014 Young Global Leader

The World Economic Forum has honored Ms. Bernice Dapaah, Founder and Executive Director of Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative to join its community of Young Global Leaders.

The award is set up each year to recognize the top 200-300 young leaders under the age of 40 from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society, and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

In 2013 Bernice Dapaah was named a Vital Voices Lead Fellow having earlier on won the 2013 International Women Alliance World of Difference Award.

Ms. Dapaah a rising social entrepreneur founded the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative in 2009 and under her leadership, she nurtured the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative from a project idea which she pledged as a commitment project of President Clinton Global Initiative University into an award winning social enterprise that has won several international awards including the 2013 UNFCCC Momentum For Change Light House Activity Award (Women For Results Category),World Business and Development Award 2012, UN Habitat/Dubai International Best Practice Award 2012,Samsung/Generations For Peace Impact Award 2012,GIZ Impact Business Award 2011, and UNEP SEED Initiative Award 2010.

“The YGL Community assembles the world’s most outstanding next-generation leaders who have a proven record of extraordinary achievement and helps them further develop in their leadership journey,” said David Aikman, Managing Director and Head of New Champions at the World Economic Forum.

Mr. Aikman added “The community provides its members with a peer network that challenges them to not only do more, but to be more. Being part of the YGL community is a transformational experience, where leaders turn their personal success into global significance and positive impact in their countries, industries and areas of expertise,”

As part of this impressive class, Bernice who will serve a six-year term, is expected to participate in the global and regional meetings of the World Economic Forum, and research and initiatives, representing the views and interests of young leaders.

Apart from her work with the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative which is funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, Bernice who is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Biodiversity and Natural Capital sits on the board of Advisors of five international organisations including World Intellectual Property Organisation Green(WIPO Green) and serves as National Coordinator of Ghana’s National Free Shoes and Educational Supplies Program which complements the Government of Ghana free school feeding and free uniforms program by distributing free shoes and educational supplies to needy school children in deprived communities in Ghana.

“Being recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader is a huge honor given the rigorous nature of the selection process and the exceptional caliber of entrants from across the globe, I fully embrace the opportunity to become partners with many of my fellow Young Global Leaders as we contribute our quota to solve some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. I also thank Newmont Development Foundation for their support and the new opportunities that they bring on board” said Bernice Dapaah.