David K. Awusi, BA, LLB, MA, MA (Ghana) – Board Secretary, Executive Director and Advocacy Advisor

Being born by extremely poor and primary school dropout parents, David went from frying pan to fire went he lost his mother at age 9. After this tragic event, he was forced to drop out from school for close to 2 years in order to baby sit her 3months old kid sister. David had to stay with family relatives together with her 2 siblings enduring hunger, deprivation and exposure to exploitative forced labour in the agriculture industry (cocoa and pineapple plantain) and street hawking in Ghana. David could recount days he was so hungry and feel depressed to extent that he desired to die – he literacy called upon his mother’s ghost to come for him! With determination, perseverance, scholarship from Plan International (Ghana) and help of close family relatives, David rose to become the 1st university graduate in his family. He began his career in the non-profit sector as a volunteer some 18years ago and rose through working with local and international non-profit organizations across Ghana and Africa rising to the peak of his career as the Africa Regional Director.

David drives Youth Rise International (YoRI) with great passion, exemplary leadership and extraordinary commitment and sacrifice. It will amaze you to know that, in 2020 and 2021, he sold his personal car and family landed property and invested the proceeds to run Youth Rise International (YoRI) and funds our anti-poverty, health and educational projects in the Central Region of Ghana. His formidable passion, visionary leader, drive and dedication has kept us going daily!

Academically, he holds a Bachelor of Art (BA) in Psychology and Accounting and then MA Development Studies both from the University of Ghana. Then, he has a second Master’s of Art (MA) Communication & Media Studies from the University of Education, Winneba. He has Certificate in Project Management from the Central Professional Institute (CPI) and Sales & Marketing Management from the former Graduate Institute of Governance & Leadership which is now Accra Business School. Currently, he is pursing LLB with passion to specialize in Family Law & Law of Contract.

“My greatest desire is to contribute to ending poverty and hunger in Africa by 2063! Will you join me to pursue this passion and good cause together” he said during recent staff retreat,