Interview with Mrs. Akyini Sagoe-Moses

Text of the Full Interview Below:

For Mrs. Akyini Sagoe-Moses, problem-solving comes from listening first and leading second.

Akyiyi was inspired by the Quaker education she received at Sidwell Friends and was always attracted to the diverse school community. She was also inspired by her father, who worked at the World Bank. Akyini was initially interested in human rights law. However, she later learned about the capacity of the private sector, through business, to develop communities socially and economically. Later, right after college, she went to Ghana and spent some time working with tech companies.

Akyini has worked in four different continents, and after her experiences in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, she emphasizes the importance of community and listening. She has also recognized the need for humility when talking to people most impacted by social problems. She realizes that since those people are impacted the most, they would likely have a sense of what would help them. Thus, she demonstrates that true leadership begins with listening and understanding, not assuming.

Akyini takes great pride in the work she did with the Shamble Shay Initiative. She created an $18 million five-year program across five West African countries. During the program, she grew shae trees and trained women on how to better collect and process shea in order to help them earn more money.

One of Akyini’s most enriching professional experiences was focusing on the lack of care infrastructure for children, elders, and the disabled. Not only did she work on what moms need to support them, but she also surveyed hundreds of women and spoke with hundreds of experts.

Akyini believes that service means listening to and responding to the needs of the community. “Do what they request, not what you think they’d need.” Mrs. Akyini Sagoe-Moses is a reminder that true service begins with selflessness, meeting people where they are, and honoring their voices over our own preconceptions.