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Leadership Academy – June 2026 Cohort Closing Ceremony

Aug 30

3 min read

For one month, a group of young people came together with curiosity, ambition, and a willingness to learn. They explored new ideas, developed new skills, challenged themselves, and discovered that leadership is not simply about standing in front of others — it is also about finding the confidence to use one's voice and contribute to positive change.

In June 2026, 65 scholars aged 14 to 18 joined Leading Change Africa's Leadership Academy, held in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. Over the course of the program, they embarked on a journey of learning, growth, and discovery that culminated in a vibrant celebration of their achievements. The closing ceremony was more than the end of a training program — it was a moment to recognize how far the participants had come and to celebrate the potential that continues to lie ahead.

A Month of Learning and Growth

Throughout the Leadership Academy, participants took part in interactive sessions designed to equip them with foundational skills for their personal, academic, and leadership journeys. The program covered a range of topics, including:

Leadership
Entrepreneurship
Public speaking
Critical thinking
English
Computer science

Each session gave the scholars the chance to learn, develop their critical thinking, collaborate, and step outside their comfort zones. But beyond the subjects themselves, the cohort created a space where young people could begin to see themselves differently. They were encouraged to express their ideas, build their confidence, and reflect on the role they can play in their communities. For many participants, the journey was as much about discovering their own potential as it was about acquiring new knowledge.

When Scholars Take the Stage

One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony came when two young leaders served as Masters of Ceremony, guiding the program with confidence, poise, and energy. Before families, trainers, guests, and fellow participants, they demonstrated growth in action.

Through their performance, they showcased the public speaking and leadership skills developed throughout the Academy. More importantly, they stepped forward, took responsibility, engaged the audience, and confidently led an important moment of the program — demonstrating what can happen when young people are given the opportunity and space to use their voices. The confidence to speak can become the confidence to lead.

More Than a Certificate

A certificate marks the completion of a program, but not the end of the journey. The Leadership Academy equips young people with tools they can continue to apply in their studies, communities, and careers.

Investing in the Next Generation

Through the Leadership Academy, Leading Change Africa continues to invest in young people preparing to shape the future of their communities as leaders.

The 65 scholars who completed the June 2026 cohort leave with new skills, experiences, memories, and perspectives. Their journeys will take different paths — toward further studies, entrepreneurship, leadership, or new passions. But they carry an important reminder from the Academy: their voices matter, their ideas have value, and they have the potential to contribute to positive change.

At Leading Change Africa, we believe leadership does not begin only when someone receives a title. Sometimes, it begins when a young person discovers its potential, the confidence to stand up, speak out, and believe: "I can make a difference.