From Internship to Impact: Building Careers and Strengthening Organizations through ACN

At the Akua Kuenyehia Foundation (AKF), internships are not just stepping stones – they are transformative experiences that shape careers and strengthen organizations. Since 2020, AKF has hosted seven talented interns through the African Careers Network (ACN). Each of them has contributed to the Foundation’s growth – from designing curriculums and supporting education booster programs, to helping establish new initiatives and strengthening organizational
structures.

For AKF, interns have provided more than extra capacity. As CEO and Co-founder Akofa Bentsi-Enchill reflects, they were “the lifeline we needed to put together quality programs and deliverables” at a time when the Foundation had just one full-time staff member.

Among these interns is Mia Jansen, whose story captures the real value of ACN internships.

In 2023, Mia discovered AKF through the ACN platform and began what was intended to be a six-month internship. Today, she serves as AKF’s Brand & Communications Manager, leading the Foundation’s storytelling, brand strategy, and external engagement.

“What started as a six-month internship has grown into a meaningful career. This opportunity has been truly life-changing and has set a high benchmark for the kind of nurturing, purpose driven work environment in which I thrive,” says Mia.

Under Akofa’s mentorship, Mia has spearheaded efforts to strengthen AKF’s communications, diversify its audience, and attract new streams of funding. She has also introduced fresh initiatives such as the Empower Her Wellness Drives — while raising the benchmark of excellence across the entire team.

From Akofa’s perspective, Mia’s contribution has been pivotal:
“Through her engagement, Mia has helped AKF transition from a small NGO to a growing one with great structures in place and a strategic view of our focus areas. She continues to help us innovate and evolve our approach in securing partnerships with co-operative entities.”

Mia’s journey is one of many success stories born out of the ACN internship program. It demonstrates the power of intentional talent development: when young professionals are given opportunities to learn, lead, and grow, both individuals and organizations thrive.

We are proud to connect ambitious graduates with purpose-driven organizations like AKF. Together, we are not just filling roles – we are creating pathways for young Africans to step into meaningful careers while driving sustainable impact across the continent