Today, Africa Matters Spotlights features Amanda Abena Amamu, a passionate advocate from Ghana and proud participant of the 2024 She Is Empowered program (ShE). Amanda has dedicated her efforts to breaking the stigma around mental health and promoting emotional wellness to those around her. Through her tireless campaigning, active involvement, and insightful contributions, she is advancing the well-being of the members of her community.
Have a look at her inspiring story below!
What is your story? What defines you?
My name is Amanda Abena Amamu, also known as Abyna Mandy. I am a PR with Marketing student of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC-IJ) and I am passionate about using my platform to spread news or propagate news about mental
health.
Growing up in a typical African setting, you don't hear anything called mental health. You may sometimes hear mental, which means crazy or a mad person; the closest to an issue is tagged demonic. We’re Africans, of course, superstition is our culture.
Among my personal stories that have shaped my interest in standing for this cause is a life-changing circumstance that required me to stand for myself and be myself. There came a moment when I had to detach from some people I had known, trusted, and envisioned my whole life with until eternity. Trust me, you don't want to lose someone as vital as yourself to
any relationship, regardless of who they are.
That moment became a painful turning point for me, however, while I searched for sanity, I discovered the power of my mind as a companion, and now I live each day conscious of something called mental health.
What is a pressing issue/challenge happening in your community right now that you are advocating for and that readers should be paying attention to?
I started off as an enthusiast; just taking my time to learn all there is about mental health. It's been few years of continuous learning, and I want to know more, however the more I know, the more I desire a change.
My community is wandering in the chaos of life, living each day overstressed, overwhelmed, or inferior, yet, we often lack the knowledge of being in charge or managing it.
The average person would always tell you they want peace, and be looking and waiting for peace to happen to them out of the blues. Since we all need a peace of mind to be productive in our day to day activities, my go-to response to ''why mental health?'' is ''the fact that our overall wellbeing is centered on our state of mind, yet it mostly sounds weird to openly discuss issues related to our mental health is concerning''.
We need to pay attention to the reason why we speak, act, and live the way we do.
How does (or will) your work help resolve this pressing issue/challenge affecting your community?
Using my small circled platform to share mental health-related issues is increasing awareness of its reality. Now my mere presence among my peers reminds them of something called mental health, and I think it's a promising start.
Incorporating mental health discussions into our workplace/work-life is a great investment for buoyant productivity. Imagine a workplace where employees have a safe space to be who they really are; with all the creativity and open-minded approach to tasks and feedback.
Imagine how receptive they'd be to clients and customers when employees are able to make their statements without fear of judgment.
This is possible when individuals know themselves, accept others, their environment, and are conscious of the uncertainties of life; and this is why Safe Space Initiative is focusing on the power of our minds to make positive changes in our world and cohabitate with each other. Every aspect of our survival needs mental health exposure because it is the root cause of every productivity; the good, the bad, the best.
What are some key takeaways from She Is Empowered Program that have reshaped the way you will execute your work for your community?
My key takeaways from the She Is Empowered Program are:
African youth is the new change we could ever seek and find. Leadership is standing up for the change we wish to see
Good communication skills is essential for any form of interaction
Teamwork makes the workplace a better place, and has the ability to move huge 'mountains', and
Personal development is a catalyst to success in all our endeavours. All the small habits we learn to be better each day (mental, social, spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing).
What are you most looking forward to in the next couple of months in She Is Empowered Program?
I am looking forward to gathering a good amount of leadership skills (i.e. owning my voice, public speaking, networking, research) and opportunities for grants to fund and sustain my CEP.
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