About Us
The African Youth Security Network was started by two Ghanaian youths with an academic and personal interest in African security. We saw that there was a gap in security discourse where the youth perspective was often overlooked, with policy and opinions being imposed rather than included. We hope to build a community where young security academics, professionals, and enthusiasts within the African continent can connect and collaborate.
Meet The Team
Leonie Mills
Founder
Leonie currently works for a security charity as a communications and policy officer. She has a master's degree in Security, Leadership and Society from King's College London, focusing on Africa and other emerging economies. She also completed an Early Career Women's Fellowship in Peace, Security and Development at the African Leadership Centre.
Leonie is a multi-hyphenate but her passion to help marginalised and underrepresented groups is a common thread in all she does. She wishes to combine her creative flair, academic interests and entrepreneurial spirit to positively impact whatever community she finds herself in.
AYSN came out of a need to truly include young people on the African continent, give them a voice on security issues, develop their own critical thinking and network with like-minded people.
Josephine Nanortey
Co-Founder
Josephine Nanortey is currently working as a Strategic Intelligence Analyst at Bulwark Intelligence Solutions and holds an MA in Gender, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana.
Josephine wanted to form the AYSN to create a space for young African security analysts, academics, and enthusiasts from all over Africa and the diaspora, to expand on their knowledge and progress within the African peace and security domain. Her combined professional experience spans security, conflict, gender and intelligence.
Sandra Asafo-Adjei
Senior Research Associate
Sandra Asafo-Adjei holds a Master of Arts (M.A) degree in International Affairs from the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English & French, all from the University of Ghana. She is a highly motivated and driven international development analyst, critical thinker, policy researcher and humanitarian aid enthusiast. Sandra’s interest and expertise covers public policy, international diplomacy, conflicts and conflict resolution and the impacts of conflicts on women and the youth with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
Sandra aims to be part of the next generation of global female policymakers and thought leaders as she strongly believes that more female voices around the policy table will contribute to policies that are sensitive to the needs of all including the youth and the vulnerable.