Dr. Lawrence Fianko, a Ghanaian-American Licensed Clinical Social Worker and global changemaker, has achieved a major academic and humanitarian milestone, graduating with a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from the prestigious USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. His story is one of resilience, purpose, and deep commitment to service—particularly in bridging educational and digital gaps for underserved communities in Ghana and beyond.
Originally from Ghana and an alumnus of Accra Academy, Dr. Fianko immigrated to the United States in 2012 to reunite with his mother. He began his academic journey at Bronx Community College before progressing to Lehman College for his Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. He later earned a Master’s degree from Indiana University, specializing in Mental Health and Addictions.
Now a doctoral graduate, Dr. Fianko is the CEO and Co-founder of Educational Communities Worldwide (EduCom), a nonprofit dedicated to creating holistic learning opportunities for marginalized students across Africa. His doctoral capstone project, “Bridging the Digital Divide: The Digital Hub College Prep Program,” is already making waves. In March 2025, he returned to Ghana to launch the pilot program at Bunkpurugu Senior High School in the Northern Region—an area where many students had never used a computer.
During this mission from March 31 to April 8, Dr. Fianko led the hands-on rollout of the Digital Hub Program, accompanied by EduCom President Veronica Safoa Owusu and COO Joseph Hamelo. The initiative saw the donation of 30 laptops to support an after-school college prep curriculum focusing on digital literacy, university readiness, and tech empowerment.
In recognition of their efforts, the Bunkpurugu traditional council conferred on Dr. Fianko the honorary chieftaincy title of Nkosuohene (Development Chief), a cultural honour acknowledging his development work. His EduCom colleagues, Veronica Safoa Owusu and Joseph Hamelo, were also recognised for their contributions to the community.
Building on this momentum, Dr. Fianko plans to scale the program through an innovative Mobile Bus College Prep Program, which will take digital learning to students across multiple rural high schools in Ghana.
Beyond education, Dr. Fianko also leads Limelight Recovery, a virtual mental health and substance abuse practice offering affordable and culturally responsive therapy services to underserved communities.
He credits his wife, Attorney Daisy Lamptey-Fianko, Esq., their children, and his extended family for their unwavering support. He dedicated his doctorate to them and to his late mentor, Dr. Greg May, saying, “This doctorate is more than a personal achievement—it’s a declaration of purpose, resilience, legacy, and impact.”
With his doctorate in hand and a global mission in motion, Dr. Lawrence Fianko stands as a beacon of hope and a powerful reminder that education, innovation, and community can transform lives—even from the most humble beginnings. His journey is only beginning.
