Yawa Hansen-Quao was the first female student-government president at her university — and, as she was astonished to find out, also in Ghana. Seeing a lack of leadership roles for women, she switched from her involvement in women’s health to focusing on female leadership. Hansen-Quao founded the Leading Ladies’ Network, a nonprofit based in her country that teaches entrepreneurship and leadership skills to young women. Last year, she was recognized for her work as an Eisenhower Fellow.

More information: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/female-leaders-in-africa/