18-year-old wins Zonta International prize for Young Women in Public Affairs

The Zonta International District 18 and Zonta International 2022 prizes for Young Women in Public Affairs were both awarded to Maisy Ama Baer, a final-year student at Roman Ridge School in Accra.

She is one of the 10 recipients of this year's worldwide Award from Zonta International.

At the school's Speech and Prize Giving Day celebration held in Accra in June, Madam Vivienne Idun-Ogden, President of Zonta Club of Accra, presented her with both Awards, totaling $6,500 in cash.

Idun-Ogden stated in a brief statement that the purpose of the Zonta Award program is to inspire young women to engage in public affairs by recognizing a candidate's dedication to the volunteer sector.

Candidates are also to show evidence of leadership through achievements and dedication to empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy.

As the lone recipient from Ghana and the subregion, Miss Baer expressed her delight at earning the Zonta Global Award, adding, "This is a big boost and motivation to me to continue with the community services I have been part of for some years."

She plans to put some of her prize money into her education and other pursuits to diversify her interests and increase her skill set.

She explained how she was accepted into the Zonta International program for young women, saying that when she applied, she had the opportunity to discuss her aspirations, leadership positions, roles in community service, and participation in international events.

Miss Baer participated in several extracurricular activities in addition to serving as Head Girl at her school, such as serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Blueprint, the school newspaper.

In her earlier volunteer work, she helped the Dzorwulu A and B Primary School renovate their kindergarten restroom by raising about GH100,000.