A quarter century of turning advocacy into opportunity
AFFED exists to close the distance between policy rooms and classrooms, building the partnerships, programs, and platforms that let African priorities shape their own future.
A Quarter Century of Building, One Milestone at a Time
From a single classroom initiative to a global policy voice: here’s how AFFED grew. In the years that followed its founding, AFFED’s work expanded from basic education into fourteen interconnected focus areas, from girl-child education to climate resilience and policy advocacy.
AFFED is Founded
Rev. Courage Tengey founds AFFED to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the rural communities of Hamile and Yaga in Ghana's Upper West Region, laying the groundwork for what would grow into a nationwide, then global, advocacy organization.
First International Conference
AFFED engages its first international conference in South Africa, marking the start of its global advocacy journey and opening the door to the international platforms it would go on to reach in the years that followed.
A Growing Global Network
AFFED's advocacy has reached communities in 50+ countries across all six continents, with 21+ international conferences attended to date.
“We don't just advocate for change — we build the classrooms and coalitions that make it real.”
Grounded Locally, Engaged Globally
Africa for Education and Development (AFFED) was founded in 2001 by Rev. Courage Tengey to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the rural communities of Hamile and Yaga in Ghana’s Upper West Region. What began as grassroots advocacy against a harmful practice has grown into an internationally engaged organization, a member of UN-CSO NET, represented at more than twenty international conferences across six continents.
Today, AFFED operates across fourteen interconnected focus areas: from girl-child education and gender equality to cybersecurity, climate resilience, and the fight against corruption. Our approach links local community programs in Ghana and across Africa to global advocacy platforms, ensuring that African voices and lived experience directly inform international policy on the issues that matter most to our communities.
Our Mission
Africa for Education and Development is committed to empowering communities, protecting human rights, and driving sustainable development across Africa and the world through education, advocacy, and active participation in global policy dialogue.
Our Vision
A future in which every African community has equitable access to education, is protected by strong and accountable institutions, and participates fully in shaping the sustainable development of the continent and the world.
Our Values
The principles that guide every partnership, program, and policy position we take.
Local Rootedness
Every program is designed with, not for, the communities it serves.
Global Perspective
Bringing African priorities to the tables where global policy gets made.
Accountability
Transparent reporting and measurable outcomes on every initiative we run.
Sustainability
Building programs that outlast any single grant cycle or funding source.
Our Approach
A theory of change built on four connected stages, from listening to lasting impact.
Listen to Communities
We start every program with the people it's meant to serve, not a predetermined plan.
Build Local Capacity
Training teachers, leaders, and institutions to run programs long after we've stepped back.
Advocate at Scale
Carrying what we learn on the ground into policy rooms at the national and global level.
Sustain the Gains
Measuring outcomes and reinvesting so progress compounds instead of resetting each year.
“Every seat at the table is a door held open for the communities we represent.”
Rev. Courage Tengey
Rev. Courage Tengey is a Preacher who believes in imparting his generation and beyond with Christ-centered love for humanity. He founded AFFED with a vision of connecting grassroots African communities to global platforms for policy change. Under his leadership, AFFED has represented African civil society at more than twenty international conferences, including forums hosted by the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and G7/G20 partners. He continues to guide AFFED’s strategic direction across all fourteen of its focus areas.
Rooted in Faith, Committed to People
Beyond his work in education advocacy, Rev. Courage Tengey is a Preacher who believes in imparting his generation and beyond with Christ-centered love for humanity. For him, the drive behind AFFED isn’t only strategic — it’s spiritual. The same call to serve and uplift people that shapes his ministry also shapes AFFED’s mission: to see every community, not just policies, genuinely transformed.
Growing With Purpose
AFFED is supported by a growing team of program officers, volunteers, and advisors across Ghana and the diaspora. Team profiles will be published here as our staff and advisory board continue to grow.
Rev. Courage Tengey
Perez Mawuli Tengey
Arielle Akpene Tengey
Sedem Amenyo
14 Focus Areas, One Mission
A glimpse at the programs carrying AFFED’s mission from classrooms to policy rooms.
Girl Child Education
Keeping girls in school through scholarships, mentorship, and community advocacy.
Climate Change
Local adaptation strategies that build resilience against environmental shocks.
Internet Governance
Advocating for equitable, community-informed digital access policy.
The Impact of Our Work
Contributed to increased school enrollment among girls in underserved communities through advocacy and scholarship partnerships.
Represented African civil society voices at global Internet Governance Forums, advocating for equitable digital access policies.
Supported community-led climate adaptation initiatives, helping vulnerable regions build resilience against environmental shocks.
Engaged directly with UN and Commonwealth policy processes, ensuring African community perspectives shape international frameworks.
Backed women-led cooperatives and skills-training programs, expanding economic independence across partner communities.
Delivered leadership and skills-building programs for young people, strengthening local capacity to sustain change.
“Our people are the reason communities across six continents trust AFFED to carry their priorities forward.”
Global Affiliations
CSO-NET
Member of UN-CSO NET.
ANZMA
AFFED collaborates with the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association to bring mental health awareness and support into our community development and human rights work, recognizing mental wellbeing as essential to sustainable development and resilient communities.
A Growing International Footprint
From regional summits to global policy networks, AFFED’s reach continues to expand.
Moments From the Field
A look at AFFED’s work and global engagement, from community programs to international policy forums.
Join Us in Building a Better Africa
Your support funds classrooms, trains teachers, and puts African priorities in front of the world’s policymakers.