By YESS 2026, Team Ghana
On 1 March 2026, four young women — Cindy from Uganda, Jackie from Rwanda, Kettie from Malawi, and Marinah from Madagascar — arrived in Ghana as participants in the YESS Girls’ Movement Exchange Programme under the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Since their arrival, the experience has been both enriching and inspiring. Ghana has welcomed us warmly through its kind people, vibrant culture, delicious local food, and strong sense of community, making us feel at home away from home.
At the centre of our exchange experience is Girl Guiding, a global movement dedicated to empowering girls and young women to become confident leaders, active citizens, and changemakers in their communities and beyond. Through fun, non-formal education and values-based experiences such as camps, community service, teamwork, advocacy, and skills development, girls are encouraged to discover their potential, build self-confidence, and develop practical life skills. More importantly, Girl Guiding creates safe and supportive spaces where girls can learn, grow, and inspire one another while making a positive impact on society.
United globally
This movement is united globally through WAGGGS, the world’s largest voluntary movement for girls and young women. WAGGGS connects millions of girls across different countries and cultures, providing opportunities for leadership development, advocacy, global citizenship, and international exchange. Through its global programmes and initiatives, WAGGGS empowers girls and young women to speak up on issues affecting them, including gender equality, education, mental health, environmental sustainability, digital safety, menstrual health, and social inclusion.
One of these impactful initiatives is the YESS Girls’ Movement Exchange Programme. The YESS Exchange connects young women from Africa and Asia, building their leadership, confidence, and advocacy skills through a unique six- to 12-month immersive South-to-South exchange experience. Unlike many traditional exchange programmes that focus mainly on academics or tourism, the YESS Exchange focuses on empowering young women aged 18 to 35 through leadership, volunteerism, advocacy, and community engagement rooted in the values of Girl Guiding.
YESS Exchange journey
For 2026, the YESS Exchange brings together participants from 12 countries, creating a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, learning, and collaboration. Throughout the programme, participants engage in leadership development, community service, advocacy campaigns, mentoring girls, and skills-building workshops. Together with the Ghana Girl Guides Association, Team Ghana has already participated in school outreach programmes, motivational drives, leadership and advocacy sessions, recruitment activities, and community engagements aimed at empowering girls and young women.
The YESS Exchange also promotes advocacy in areas such as girls’ education, gender equality, leadership development, menstrual health, mental health, environmental sustainability, digital safety, and the inclusion of girls and young women living with disabilities. Through these initiatives, participants not only develop personally into confident communicators and leaders but also contribute to creating meaningful and lasting impacts within local communities.
As part of the programme’s sustainability and long-term impact, all participants are challenged to undertake a “Back to My Roots” campaign upon returning to their home countries. Through this initiative, participants carry out at least one of the six core programme initiatives within their communities, former schools, or other meaningful spaces. They also share their experiences and lessons learned with their national Girl Guide Associations, including staff, board members, and fellow young women, ensuring that the impact of the YESS Exchange continues to grow beyond borders.
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