Empowering Voices: How the MMM Programme Transformed Dr. Deborah Mensah's Journey in NTD Advocacy

05 Aug 2024

In this inspiring interview, Dr. Deborah Mensah shares her transformative journey through the Mwele Malecela Mentorship (MMM) Programme and its profound impact on her professional development in the field of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). As the Vice-Chair of the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Working Group of the NNN, Dr. Mensah highlights the pivotal role mentorship has played in building her confidence, enhancing her advocacy skills, and fostering her leadership capabilities. Her story underscores the importance of support networks in empowering individuals, especially African women, to seize opportunities and drive meaningful change in global health.

Can you share how your participation in the Mwele Malecela Mentorship (MMM) Programme has equipped you with the skills and knowledge that contributed to your significant role as Vice-Chair of LF Working Group of the NNN?

I am so grateful for the MMM Programme, because it has connected me with an amazing mentor! My mentor Helen has really helped me build confidence in my skills and abilities and she has encouraged me to seize opportunities to be an advocate for people affected by NTDs. This has helped me overcome my " imposter syndrome" in the NTD space, and when offered the role as Vice-Chair for the NNN LF Working group, I felt confident to say yes to the role which I otherwise might not have. My mentor continues to encourage me to seize opportunities that allow me to advocate for people affected by NTDs and has pointed me towards various platforms such as the NNN where I have been able to do so.

How has WHO's support, particularly through the MMM Programme, facilitated your efforts in advancing health strategies and programs related to NTDs?
WHO's support through the MMM Programme has been instrumental in helping me advance health strategies and programs related to NTDs in my current role. There have many meetings, webinars and networking opportunities that I have only had a chance to access through the support of the MMM Program, my mentor and the secretariat. Through access to various webinars and meetings, I learned about key NTD funding opportunities that I have been able to share with national NTD programs within the African region. The MMM programme and WHOs efforts to highlight us as mentees has also increased our visibility and social capital within the NTD space, which has allowed me personally to have a stronger voice in national NTD program development and implementation especially related to Morbidity Management and Disability prevention program development in the countries in which I work.
 

As you prepare to take over as Chair of the LF Working Group in 2025, what message would you like to convey to current and future participants of the MMM Programme about the importance of mentorship and professional development in achieving global health objectives?

It is so important to find " your people" as you pursue your career as an African woman within the NTD / global health space. "Your people" lift you up, encourage you to take risks and pursue opportunities you might not otherwise see or feel confident enough to engage in. Your people are willing to share their wisdom and knowledge with you so that you can thrive and grow as they cheer you on. Through the MMM program, I have found " my people" in both my mentor and the sisterhood developed between my fellow mentees and I. I have learned so much from them and feel much stronger and confident in my role within the NTD space. Take advantage of all this program has to offer, because in it you will find your people and be a stronger, more capable leader in the NTD space through the knowledge, confidence and network gained through the experience.