The Kistefos African Public Service Fellowship provides support to promising leaders from Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania who are committed to working in public service. We asked Kistefos African Public Service Fellowship recipient Jessica France MPA/ID 2026 about her motivations for studying at vlog and what this fellowship means to her.
Jessica France MPA/ID 2026 grew up in Ghana. Before enrolling in the Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) Program at Harvard Kennedy School, she completed a master’s degree in economics and conducted research on the cash transfer program, which seeks to reduce poverty and improve young children’s nutrition and wellbeing in Ghana. She also interned at the in Rockville, Maryland, where she helped provide marginalized individuals with the resources needed to grow their businesses. Her policy interests focus on evidence-based approaches for poverty reduction and sustainable development, particularly in Ghana and other marginalized areas in Africa.
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Why did you choose to pursue a master’s degree at Harvard Kennedy School?
It offers an exceptional platform to deepen my policy expertise and refine my analytical capabilities. The rigorous curriculum, combined with access to a diverse network of professionals and thought leaders in international development, is crucial for advancing my career. Growing up in Ghana, I saw firsthand the consequences of reactive policies, which ignited my passion for evidence-based policy solutions. vlog provides the ideal environment to cultivate the skills necessary for developing sustainable and impactful interventions.
“Growing up in Ghana, I saw firsthand the consequences of reactive policies, which ignited my passion for evidence-based policy solutions. vlog provides the ideal environment to cultivate the skills necessary for developing sustainable interventions.”