About Unchartered Paths Initiative

selective focus of man smiling near building
selective focus of man smiling near building

700+

400

Students reached through school engagement campaigns

Youth mentored across 8 communities

15

Active Volunteers driving community change

The Uncharted Paths Initiative (UPI) empowers young people from Ghana’s low-income communities to unlock their potential through mentorship, skills development, advocacy, and volunteer action, transforming barriers into pathways of opportunity, dignity, and leadership.

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Uncharted Paths Initiative

Dzigbordi Akosua Agbenyo is a social policy analyst and human rights advocate with nearly a decade of experience advancing youth empowerment, justice, and social inclusion in Ghana and across Africa. Growing up in Ashaiman, one of Ghana’s most underserved communities, she witnessed firsthand the challenges of poverty, stigma, and limited opportunity, experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to creating pathways of dignity and possibility for young people.

Her academic journey reflects this commitment to justice and transformation. She holds a BA in Sociology and Social Work from KNUST and an LLB from GIMPA, alongside advanced training in leadership, social entrepreneurship, and trauma-informed care. This unique grounding enables her to merge legal, social, and policy perspectives in addressing the challenges young people face.

Professionally, Dzigbordi has contributed to initiatives with UNAIDS, UNFPA, and International Justice Mission, leading programs on child protection, youth empowerment, stigma reduction, and gender equality. Alongside her professional career, she has spent more than a decade volunteering with youth in low-income communities, mentoring and amplifying their voices.

As Co-Founder and CEO of the Uncharted Paths Initiative (UPI), Dzigbordi is institutionalizing this work. Under her leadership, UPI equips young people in underserved communities with mentorship, skills, and advocacy to disrupt cycles of poverty and exclusion. She believes that lasting transformation begins when young people are trusted with their voices and visions.

Dzigbordi Akosua Agbenyo

Shaukia Yakubu

Shaukia Yakubu is a multidisciplinary force driving change across business, community development, and advocacy. She serves as Director of Specialized Sales at IBS Consulting, a global education and career mobility firm. There, she leads international market expansion and revenue strategies and champions access to education and career opportunities for young professionals.

Her academic journey reflects a deliberate investment in understanding systems and people. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Social Work, a Master’s in Marketing Strategy, and is currently completing an MSc in International Business. This multidisciplinary lens allows her to navigate corporate boardrooms and underserved communities with equal fluency, making her a rare bridge between commerce and conscience.

She is also the founder of Sinibik Ventures, a wellness-centered business improving health accessibility, and co-founder of Samplecare Ghana Ltd., a social enterprise advancing diagnostic access and health equity.

As Co-Founder and Director of Partnerships and Sustainability at the Uncharted Paths Initiative (UPI), Shaukia is institutionalizing her long-standing commitment to youth. Drawing on her own story of growing up in Sunyani Zongo, she leads UPI’s efforts to break cycles of poverty, substance abuse, and exclusion. For her, UPI is not just a response to neglect but a reimagining of what is possible when young people are trusted with tools, dignity, and direction.

Co-Founder & Director of Partnerships and Sustainability, Uncharted Paths Initiative

Our Vision

A generation of empowered youth shaping their own paths to opportunity and change.

To empower young people from low-income communities to build self-reliance, amplify their voices, and lead change.

  • Empowerment: We operate with transparency and integrity in all our programs and partnerships.

  • Equity and Inclusion: Every young person, no matter their background, deserves opportunity,

    dignity, and a voice.

  • Integrity: We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability in everything we do.

  • Collaboration: We believe lasting change happens when communities and partners work

    together.

  • Innovation & Learning: We challenge limits, embrace creativity, and grow through continuous learning.

  • Service & Compassion: We lead with empathy, giving back to uplift others and build stronger

    communities.

Our Mission
Our values
Mentorship Hubs
Skill Bootcamps
person holding white smartphone near green leaf tree during daytime
person holding white smartphone near green leaf tree during daytime
Anti Drug & Healthy Living
Youth Policy Roundtables
Youth Ambassadors Programme

Where We Work

In Ghana’s low-income communities, we help children and young people turn barriers into pathways, unlocking potential, purpose, and opportunity.

Location

Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region
Sunyani Zongo, Bono Region

Hours

9 AM - 5 PM

Get in touch

We would love to hear from you! Whether you’re a young person eager to learn, a partner exploring collaboration, or a supporter who believes in empowering youth, your message matters to us. Together, let’s turn barriers into pathways of opportunity, connection, and impact.