Patricia Mawuli-Nyekodzi

In 2007, quite unexpectedly, a young woman from a local Ghana community literally walked out of the West African bush and asked for a job at Kpong Airfield. “Pong” airport has the distinction of being the first private air field in Ghana. To test Patricia’s commitment and resolve, she was asked to take a machete and a shovel and clear tree stumps and brush from the makeshift runway. From those humble beginnings grew an individual whose star shines bright on all around her. Her name is Patricia Mawuli-Nyekodzi, and in 4 short years she has attained amazing stature amongst the global flying community:

• The first woman to obtain Ghana’s National Pilots License

• The first female engineer to study under the Rotax Aircraft Engines course curriculum

• The first female engineer and first black African to obtain the Rotax Aircraft Engines certification

• Volunteer Pilot for Medicine on the Move (MoM)

• A flight instructor

• A teacher in the Aviation Technology Academy

Patricia is a now a volunteer pilot for Medicine on the Move (MoM), bringing healthcare educators and medical professionals to isolated communities around Lake Volta. Many of the communities are several hours or even days away by road and are unreachable by other aid agencies operating in Ghana. Patricia and MoM are striving to change the lives of Ghanaians one flight at a time.

In 2010, in recognition of the Centennial of Women Pilots celebration, Patricia, assisted by 3 male pilots, gave introduction rides to 97 rural Ghanian women. The day was a complete success. Patricia was in her element.

For the 2011 Fly Me Day (patterned after EAA’s Young Eagles program) Patricia and Captain Yaw (Jonathan Porter) invited more than 100 children from rural communities to experience their first flights. Melissa Pemberton, an internationally known air show performer, and Detective Erin Nolan of the NYPD aviation unit, were Guest pilots for this year’s event. Together they managed to take 111 children on thier first flight, Patricia accounted for 28. Melissa’s husband Rex Pemberton, a world class adventurer and inspirational leader also attended. Rex helped with logistics, ground ops, teaching in the academy and filming a documentary titled “The Calling” featuring MoM and their activities in Ghana.

In an interview with Karlene Pettit (a Delta airline pilot, a friend to Mom and author of the Flight to Success blog), Patricia was asked what she loved about flying. “Everything, especially the fresh air that takes away all of your worries and the ability to view the world in a different way.”

Patricia was in attendance at the EAAs Air Venture held at Wittman field Oshkosh, WI  (KOSH) in July 2011, where she was the first official visitor from Ghana recorded by the International Visitors’ Center and was the EAA’s guest of honor during the Parade of Nations on Friday. She was recognized for her accomplishments by Women Aviation International and Women Soar and was also recognized by the 99s for starting a new chapter of the 99s in Ghana.

MoM would like to thank Zenith Aircraft  for hosting MoM during Air Venture.