A self-described “innocent little guy,” Isaac Fenyi spent his early years in Takoradi, Ghana, looking for new and innovative ways to help others.
“I loved being creative,” Isaac says, “and putting smiles on people’s faces. I never gave up on anything positive.”
Now a staff member at the National Youth Authority, co-founder of the Youth Steer Foundation and sustainability director of the RLC Alumni Chapter in Ghana, Isaac is working to share his skills with others, most recently by leading a YALILearns session.
“We are in a digital age where we connect, express ourselves and stay abreast of news using digital channels,” Isaac says. “It’s astounding how many online users are unaware of their impact on others and of their own susceptibility to media manipulation.”
To counter this, Isaac decided to organize a YALILearns session using the YALI Network Online Course “Responsible Leadership on Transparency and Good Governance.” The course, which highlights the role individuals can play in challenging corruption, set the stage for a thoughtful discussion on the way news spreads in the digital age.
“Media literacy is key to keeping communities informed,” Isaac says. “It’s a civic responsibility.”
As Isaac sees it, a successful session, whether in-person or virtual, comes down to planning well and planning early.
“Set a clear goal for your session,” Isaac advises. “And set aside enough time for your session.”
Isaac also encourages organizers to solicit feedback from participants to better design and execute future sessions.
“Education has transformed the lives of many young adults in Africa,” Isaac says.
“Though some young adults are complacent, many are taking advantage of every opportunity to be the best version of themselves by learning and giving back to their community.”
In his own work, Isaac strives to help those around him, both to better understand the media landscape and to be more effective leaders.
“A leader is selfless, he’s eager to share his knowledge, and he’s ready to learn from others,” Isaac says.
“We have one life to live here on Earth,” Isaac says. “It’s up to us to give it our best, to make the world a better place for all.”
Interested in Isaac’s work? Learn how you can stop, reflect, and verify on our YALIChecks page.
The views and opinions expressed here belong to those interviewed and do not necessarily reflect those of the YALI Network or the U.S. government.