Interview with a Former Intern
CCSDD
June 14, 2013
One of the benefits of working at the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development is its professional network. Through its internship program at the Bologna Center of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the University of Bologna (Università di Bologna), there are CCSDD alumni across the world. The CCSDD also enjoys checking in with its former interns from time to time, learning about the work that they have been doing since their time in Bologna, and what lessons they have taken away from their internship. One of those interns is Jemila Abdulai, who worked with the CCSDD last year. She has graciously offered to answer a few questions about her experiences.
1. In what capacity or position have you worked with the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD)?
I was with the CCSDD during the 2011-2012 academic year as a research intern. I worked closely with CCSDD Director Justin Frosini on a research project on Ghana. Much of my work involved undertaking a literature review of democratic governance in Ghana, key highlights of Ghana's democratic history, and an outlook on governance in Ghana. I also did some research on Supreme Court rulings which was really interesting. I never knew there were so many land-related disputes in Ghana! Overall, it was a great opportunity to learn more about my country in a different (legal) context.
2. What have you been doing since you have finished with your internship at the CCSDD?
After my year in Bologna I went on a class-trip to Berlin with Professor Kuehne, which was really fun and insightful. Thereafter I returned to Ghana under the Non-Profit Leadership Development (NLDI) program and interned with the African Center for Economic Transformation in Accra as an in-house editor. I was also involved with a youth social media project called Ghana Decides which sought to use social media to build awareness on election issues and to encourage youth political participation in Ghana's 2012 presidential elections. While in Ghana, our then-president John Atta Mills passed away and it was a really tense moment – wondering whether Ghana's democracy would be intact given his sudden demise. Within a day the vice-president was made interim president and it was such a proud moment for us Ghanaians. It tied back into my CCSDD research on Ghana's constitutional strengths. When I moved to DC for my second year I focused my capstone research on social media as a tool for enhancing democracy in West Africa, and returned to the country in December right after the elections to interview some stakeholders. I just finished my second year at SAIS DC and I'll be heading home to Ghana soon and then I hope to join the African Development Bank in Tunisia as an operations analyst and junior consultant.
3. What benefits did you take away from your time with the CCSDD and how did it affect your professional development?
It was great working with Justin and being able to offer some insights on Ghana's democracy. He was really supportive and welcomed my feedback and ideas. The research project was interesting and made me look at Ghana – and democracy in West Africa – in a different way, which is always a plus. It also fed into my work with Ghana Decides as I'd had a refresher of sorts on key democratic moments in Ghana's history.
4. Is there anything that you would like to say to students who are thinking about applying for a position with the CCSDD?
I would say go for it! It's an opportunity to really focus on an area you're interested in or would like to explore further. You'll also gain some great insights from a team of very intelligent, accomplished individuals.
5. What was your fondest memory of working at the CCSDD?
I really enjoyed collaborating with my fellow interns on some of the projects as well as the staff dinners we had. Working at the CCSDD helped broaden my outlook and I got to know some great people.
