International Affairs Fellowship Masters Diplomacy Africa

I strongly believe I am an excellent candidate for the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship due to my potential to contribute to the Foreign Service after completing a Master’s Degree in International Affairs with a specialization in Conflict Resolution. As an African man raised in Africa, I am eager to return to the continent in a professional capacity at some point in my career. Having grown up in Ghana, I have spent 7 of my 29 years in the USA. I am an accountant with a Master’s Degree, working for the Connecticut Department of Energy as an Accounts Examiner, where I also advocate for fair electricity rates for citizens.

I have previously worked as an Auditor with the New York State Department of Health and the US Department of Health and Human Services. However, my current role with the Connecticut Department of Energy has been the most influential in shaping my career path, as I have been exploring sustainable and clean energy, as well as international politics and global affairs. Initially, I chose Accounting over International Affairs because, as a black man and an immigrant from Africa, I prioritized economic security. Having achieved that, I now seek further growth and wish to pursue my true aspirations.

Receiving the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship will allow me to follow my passion for public service and the geopolitics of clean energy, enabling me to make a significant contribution to society after earning a Master’s Degree and working for a government organization that promotes clean energy, particularly in Africa. I am well-positioned to excel in global public service, advocating for clean energy in a sustainable manner, especially on the world’s poorest continent.

My short-term professional goal is to return to school and earn a second Master’s Degree through the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship. In the long term, I aspire to work for a government agency like the UN or the US Department of State, focusing on global energy policies, equitable trade deals, and fostering a conflict-free world as much as possible. The competition for energy resources has led to significant global conflict, and my experience in the energy sector has prepared me to contribute valuable insights to the Foreign Service community. For me, the Foreign Service is a lifelong calling, born from a deep personal exploration. While my career as a professional Auditor has been rewarding, I yearn for greater international engagement.

My father, my main hero and role model, worked for the World Health Organization, which helped me develop a global perspective early in life. Now a US citizen, I spent 9 years in Ghana, 5 years in the Republic of the Congo, and 1 year in Zimbabwe. I have also spent considerable time in Zambia, Egypt, Turkey, Finland, England, Cyprus, Guatemala, and Mexico. Besides our native Akan and English, I am fluent in French and learning Spanish.

My primary interests include energy policy, global electricity markets, energy deals, politics of water access, and sustainability issues. As Africa is my birthplace, I have been closely following energy issues in the Developing World, particularly in Africa, and aim to help African companies achieve energy self-sufficiency. My related interest is conflict resolution, as witnessing the Congo war in the 90s ignited my desire to study how the UN Security Council could more effectively prevent civil war and genocide. I am eager for an immersive experience in the history of U.S. Diplomacy in Africa and the Middle East, and the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution and clean energy promotion.

Thank you for considering my application.

International Affairs Masters Diplomacy Africa