Meet Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson

Elizabeth Akua-Nyarko Patterson is the founder and executive director of the Girls education initiative of Ghana, GEIG. GEIG's mission is to provide academic and financial support for girls including applicants with special needs, so they may access secondary, higher education, and professional opportunities. Ms. Patterson holds an MPA from NYU Wagner School of Public Service where she specialized in non- profit management. Ms. Patterson's research includes but not limited to Education of Marginalized People: access to education for disabled/differently abled students in K-12 institutions in South Africa, A comparative qualitative study on single sex and co-Ed schools in New York City, Strategic Planning: City Year New York, and Performance Measurement and Management: Junior Achievement of New York, JA-New York, A more diverse Workforce: the fire department of New York City. Prior to her work with GEIG Ms. Patterson served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for The Council of Young African Leaders, CYAL and communications and marketing associate at Junior Achievement of New York, JA- New York. Ms. Patterson holds a BA in Political Science and Business Management where she graduated cum laude in 2009.

Why you should listen her talk:

I believe in equal access to education for all students throughout the globe. However, since girls and women, especially those with special needs or disabilities in the global South are a more vulnerable population, I’ve chosen to begin my work on behalf of these groups. Drawing from my personal story and stories of others who I’ve crossed paths with I hope to encourage people to continue to support and advocate for girls education and inclusive education.

Quotes from Patterson:

The following quotes are my favorites and I strive to live my life according to them.

"In the quiet hours when we are alone and there is nobody to tell us what fine fellows we are, sometimes we wonder, not how much money we are earning, nor how famous we have become, but what good we are doing." A. A. Milne

"I want to convince you that you must learn to make every act count, since you are going to be here for a short while, in fact too short to witness all the marvels of it." Carlos Gasteneda

“To err is human but to forgive is divine”

"Peace before anything. God before everything."

"Wealth doesn’t bring goodness; goodness brings wealth"-Plato

"Giving up is the ultimate tragedy- lawyer kofi sackey

TEDxAccra 2015 is sponsored by Vodafone Ghana and supported by Type Printing, Zepto TV, Voltic Water, Club Minerals, Chale , Quantum Shifts, Generic 7 Consult, Sketch Ghana, Scout Numero Uno, Lancaster University Ghana, Azaliabooks.com, Kwaku David Photography, Cammin MakeOver, Tony Black, Jumia, Citifm, Starr FM, Joy FM, TV3, Business World Magazine, Trap Shoes GH, AmeyawDebrah.com, Pulse.com.gh, enewsgh.com ghanagist.com, threesixtygh.com, Face2Face Africa, Ghana web, 233livenew, LiveOnCampus, Watsuptek.com and Ego Tickets. Get Tickets on https://egotickets.com/events/tedxaccra-2015