Biography

Hikmatu Arafat is a Food Science and Technology graduate from the University for Development Studies, with interests in food safety, nutrition, education, and community development. She gained laboratory research experience during an internship with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Water Research Institute (CSIR/WRI), where she worked in sample preparation, laboratory analysis, experimentation, and data management.

After university, she completed her National Service with the West Africa AIDS Foundation (WAAF) in Savelugu District, working as part of a team supporting community engagement, advocacy, and research serving people living with HIV/AIDS, TB, and other marginalized groups. She then spent two years as a Lead For Ghana Associate at Ahamansu Islamic Senior High School in the Oti Region, teaching Integrated Science, mentoring students, and providing career guidance. During this period, she also served as a Ghana Education Service (GES) Associate, facilitating Value Learning Community (VLC) sessions.

Her leadership experience includes serving as Ghana National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) Women’s Commissioner, supporting female personnel and promoting menstrual hygiene initiatives. She has also contributed to nutrition, sanitation, and youth development initiatives.

As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer in Tingoli, she hopes to learn from the community and support locally driven solutions. She enjoys traveling, music, reading, learning, and connecting with people.