Name: Nathaniel Dwamena

Title: President

Organisation: Yafo Institute

Nathaniel Dwamena is the President of YAFO Institute. He is a researcher and free market policy analyst. He is responsible for the overall affairs, supervision, and progress of the Yafo Institute. He led the YAFO Institute to win the 2024 Atlas Network Think Tank Shark Tank Award in Tanzania for the YAFO Institute.

He successfully completed think tank training in Nigeria, project management and fundraising training in Kenya, and policy marketing in Tanzania, which aided in his successful graduation from the Atlas Network Academy, Atlas Network (USA). He is a blockchain enthusiast and CEO at the African Institute for Defi and Blockchain. He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology with a Bachelor of Law and a B.A. (Hons) in Geography and Rural Development. He is currently studying to become a lawyer at the Ghana School of Law.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Nathaniel's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

What I find most challenging as a leader is building the team with the right motivation and understanding of the vision. Oftentimes, the best talents do not understand the vision of the organization and passion for delivering impact for society.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My journey to become a leader was inspired by a cause as I observed that the political duopoly infiltrated every aspect of our society. This made every issue of national interest discussed through the lens of either of the two major political parties in Ghana. What was worse was the fact that this challenge was infiltrating the student representative council, causing student leaders to form alliances with either of the political duopolies.

Having completed the Local Coordinator course by the Students for Liberty, I began to lead debates for various faculties, departments, and student groups during their elections. Through the debate, I was able to bring critical issues of concern to the student for their aspiring candidates to share their policy solutions. This passion continued to drive me after school and led me to found the YAFO Institute in Ghana to lead policy change that supports free enterprise, civil liberty, and prosperity.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

For the 24 hours in the day, I sleep for 8 hours, study for 6 hours, and the institute for 6 hours, and I do other side gig businesses for 4 hours.

I mix school and work; therefore, this structure is followed on days where I do not need to go for classes or school internship.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

You can do great with a small team of loyalists than a big team full of disloyal people who do not trust in your leadership.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

A Good General, The Science of Leadership, authored by Dag Heward Mills.

This book has impacted me in making strategic decisions and analysing the benefits and costs of every decision. I learned from the book that the concept of not taking any decision to happenings in your life is a decision. Therefore, being conscious of your challenges and solving them drives progress.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Learn from achievers, not talkers.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

I never abandoned my dreams. It may take time, but I do my best to achieve them with time. My life has not been a smooth course, but everything that I said I would achieve, I have gradually worked hard and consistently through perseverance to achieve them.