Mentor of the Year (Male): Celebrating Ghana’s Champions of Guidance at the 2025 Mentorship & Volunteerism Excellence Awards
Celebrating Mentorship and Volunteerism in Ghana
The Mentorship & Volunteerism Excellence (MVE) Awards continues to stand as one of Ghana’s most inspiring platforms for recognizing individuals and organizations driving positive change through mentorship and service.
With each edition, the awards shine a spotlight on remarkable leaders who invest their time, experience, and passion into helping others grow — nurturing a culture of leadership development, youth empowerment, and volunteerism excellence.
The 2025 MVE Awards, themed “Empowering the Next Generation through Mentorship and Service,” celebrates those who embody the true spirit of selfless leadership. These are mentors and volunteers whose influence transcends personal success to create ripple effects of impact across communities and sectors in Ghana.
Mentor of the Year (Male): Recognizing Outstanding Guidance
Among the event’s prestigious categories, the “Mentor of the Year (Male)” award holds special significance. It honors men who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to mentoring and inspiring others — guiding young people, professionals, and emerging leaders toward excellence.
Male mentorship plays a powerful role in Ghana’s social and economic growth. It provides young people with role models who embody integrity, perseverance, and innovation. The 2025 nominees for this category represent diverse fields — from technology and entrepreneurship to public service — yet share one purpose: to empower others through mentorship.
Meet the Nominees
Josiah Kwesi Eyison — Co-founder and CVO, iSpace Foundation
A leading figure in Ghana’s innovation ecosystem, Josiah Kwesi Eyison is the Co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of the iSpace Foundation, one of the country’s pioneering tech and innovation hubs.
Through iSpace, Josiah has nurtured countless young entrepreneurs, software developers, and digital creators, helping them turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
His mentorship extends beyond the walls of iSpace. Josiah has been instrumental in promoting STEM education, digital literacy, and startup incubation across Africa. Under his guidance, many young innovators have gained access to training, mentorship networks, and funding opportunities that have propelled their careers.
His work continues to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity, driving Ghana’s growing digital economy.
Don Haruna — Mentor, Kosmos Innovation Center
At the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), Don Haruna has made a lasting impact as a mentor and business development expert. With years of experience nurturing startups, Don plays a vital role in shaping Ghana’s agritech and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Through KIC’s mentorship programs, he provides young entrepreneurs with strategic guidance, business coaching, and access to networks that help their ventures thrive. Don’s mentorship philosophy emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, empowering youth to lead transformative change in the agriculture sector.
His dedication to leadership development and youth empowerment has helped many emerging business leaders move from concept to commercialization — building enterprises that support job creation and economic growth.
ADOI Josiah Spio-Garbrah — Ghana National Fire Service
In the realm of public safety and community service, ADOI Josiah Spio-Garbrah stands out as a mentor who leads with discipline and compassion. A Fire Safety Officer at the Ghana National Fire Service, he has earned respect for his role in training and mentoring young officers.
Josiah is known for his unwavering commitment to public education and fire safety awareness, frequently leading community programs that teach emergency preparedness and preventive practices. Within the Fire Service, he mentors recruits and junior officers, instilling values of service, integrity, and professionalism.
His leadership demonstrates that mentorship isn’t confined to corporate boardrooms — it thrives in every sector where experienced individuals take time to guide and uplift others.
The Impact of Male Mentorship in Ghana
Across Ghana, male mentors like these nominees play an essential role in youth development, innovation, and national progress. Their guidance empowers young people to build confidence, make informed decisions, and pursue purposeful careers.
Male mentorship also bridges generational and social divides — connecting experience with youthful energy. Whether in technology, agriculture, or public service, mentors help shape the next wave of leaders, innovators, and changemakers who will drive Ghana’s future.
By celebrating these men, the MVE Awards reinforces the importance of volunteerism excellence and the belief that leadership is measured not by titles, but by the number of lives uplifted.
Inspiring a Culture of Service and Leadership
The Mentor of the Year (Male) category is more than an award — it’s a tribute to the transformative power of mentorship. Each nominee embodies a spirit of service, demonstrating that true success lies in helping others rise.
Their stories remind us that mentorship is a form of leadership that multiplies impact — creating pathways for others to grow, learn, and lead. As Ghana continues to build a culture of mentorship and volunteerism, these mentors serve as living examples of what it means to give back.
Through recognition platforms like the Mentorship & Volunteerism Excellence Awards, Ghana is not just celebrating individual achievement — it is cultivating a national movement of service, leadership, and shared growth.
Mentorship as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development
The stories of these outstanding mentors reflect a larger truth — that mentorship is not just about guidance, but about nation-building. In Ghana’s fast-changing economy, where innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact are becoming key drivers of development, mentorship bridges the gap between potential and performance.
Programs like the MVE Awards spotlight individuals who understand that empowering one person can create a ripple effect across communities. Each mentor — whether guiding a young coder, training an agripreneur, or leading public safety education — contributes to the foundation of a stronger, more self-reliant society.
When experienced leaders invest in others, they transfer not just knowledge, but values — discipline, integrity, empathy, and resilience. These are the principles that shape Ghana’s future workforce, civil servants, and entrepreneurs.
Why Recognizing Mentorship Matters
Recognition serves as more than just applause; it’s a catalyst for replication. By celebrating male mentors who have made tangible contributions, the MVE Awards encourages more men to step forward as guides, advocates, and role models.
It breaks stereotypes, showing that mentorship is not limited to formal programs or institutions — it can happen anywhere: in classrooms, offices, community centers, or even during casual conversations that inspire confidence and clarity.
This culture of mentorship fuels youth empowerment and leadership development, ensuring that Ghana continues to cultivate responsible leaders who not only succeed personally but also uplift others along the way.
Looking Ahead: Building a Mentorship Movement in Ghana
The future of mentorship in Ghana lies in collaboration. Partnerships between corporate organizations, educational institutions, innovation hubs, and civic bodies can create structured pathways for mentorship and volunteerism.
Digital platforms are also making it easier for mentors to connect with mentees across regions, breaking barriers of geography and access. By leveraging technology, Ghana can scale mentorship programs to reach more youth, especially in rural and underserved communities.
With growing recognition from initiatives like the Mentorship & Volunteerism Excellence Awards, mentorship is evolving into a national movement — one that encourages every professional, entrepreneur, and leader to pay it forward.
Final Reflection: A Legacy of Leadership Through Service
The 2025 Mentor of the Year (Male) nominees — Josiah Kwesi Eyison, Don Haruna, and ADOI Josiah Spio-Garbrah — each represent different industries, yet share a common mission: to empower others through wisdom and service.
Their dedication reminds us that true leadership is not about power or prestige, but about the ability to lift others, share opportunities, and inspire growth. When mentors lead with purpose, they spark a cycle of transformation that benefits generations to come.
As the MVE Awards continue to celebrate these heroes of mentorship and volunteerism, one message stands clear:
Ghana’s greatest resource is its people — and mentorship is how we unlock their potential.
