Mirabel Etornam Afeke tasted her first academic glory, when she excelled in the 2014 BECE, at Calvary Wisdom Academy in Dansoman. From there, she proceeded to Ghana National College, where she was admitted into the business programme. Etornam crowned her three years of rigorous academic journey by graduating as the overall best student in her year group. This deepened her passion for the study of business; leading to her admission to the University of Ghana in 2017, to study Bachelor of Science in Administration. She took a major in Accounting and is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Final Grade Point Average of 3.95.
Two years into her studies at the nation’s premier university, Etornam begun to show signs of promise; being adjudged the best level 200 BSc Administration student. It is pertinent to indicate that, even though she was wholly dedicated to her books, she engaged in extra curricula activities. As a testament of her multifaceted nature, she occupied the office of the Electoral Commissioner of the Accounting Students’ Association; a role she discharged with utmost distinction. In addition to this, she also served as the Financial Secretary of the Global Evangelical Students and Associates Ministry (GESAM) legon and the Youth Alive Network.
As a Financial Secretary, Mirabel kept the books with admirable integrity; making her an exemplary leader among her contemporaries. Her knack for leadership and service also compelled her to volunteer at the University of Ghana Careers and Counselling Center and the Young African Leaders and Entrepreneurship Summit. As a ‘Viking’, she also served in her hall of residence as a member of the Finance and Audit Committees of the Mensah Sarbah Hall Junior Common Room. These platforms gave her practical insight into rudimentary finance and accounting. In her bid to acquire further practical experience, she worked with accomplished industry professionals at the Produce Buying Company (PBC) Limited, KPMG Ghana, Deloitte & Touché, and Bright Network. These experiences allowed her gain professional insight and acquire new skills.
Her ability to combine her academic commitments with other engagements was a product of the guidance and counselling she received from her immediate family circle, distant relatives, lecturers, mentors, and friends in general. One of her foremost role models who continues to inspire her is the late Kofi Annan. According to Mirabel, she looks forward to emulating his feat in the arena of public policy, leadership and societal change. In line with this objective, Mirabel pioneered ‘HERoes’; a virtual network with a vision of empowering young people in all facets of life. So far, HERoes has left footprints of impact on the hearts of many, especially young ladies in the society.
Currently, Mirabel works with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Ghana. She plans to further her professional development by acquiring a professional certification from the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA). She also hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Accounting and Finance in a World-Top-100 University in the not too distant future.
The valedictorian at the 2021/2022 congregation is a committed Sunday school teacher, who’s enthused about charity and youth development at large. To concretize her vision on her youth empowerment, especially for the girl child, Mirabel intends to develop her foundation with the focus of equipping university students with entrepreneurial, IT and life skills to prepare them especially for life after school.
As the first daughter of her parents, Mirabel attributes her feat to the Almighty God, the support of her parents, friends and all her well-wishers; including her lecturers at the University of Ghana Business School.
