Biography:Khadjia Owusu
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Dr. Khadija Owusu is a British-Ghanaian medical doctor, social entrepreneur, and international speaker known for her advocacy in health equity, diversity in medicine, and female empowerment. She is the founder of the AKAYA Foundation and the initiator of the Like Her Project, a mentorship and outreach programme for young girls in Ghana.
Early life and education
Owusu was born in the United Kingdom to Ghanaian parents. She grew up in a single-parent household and developed an early interest in medicine, influenced in part by her family's experiences with healthcare.[1]
She studied medicine at St George's, University of London, where she qualified as a medical doctor.
Career
Medicine and advocacy
Owusu is a practicing medical doctor in the United Kingdom with a strong focus on global health and health inequalities. She has been an advocate for increasing representation of Black and ethnic minority professionals in medicine, arguing that diversity improves patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.
She has spoken at international conferences and educational institutions on topics including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), healthcare access, and social impact.
Social entrepreneurship
Owusu is the founder and executive director of the AKAYA Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 2022 to support the personal and professional development of young African women.
Prior to this, she launched The Like Her Project in 2021, a school outreach initiative in Ghana that promotes confidence-building, mentorship, and education for girls, encouraging them to “Dream, Think and Work Like Her.”
She has also been involved in several organizations, including serving as a founding member and Director of Programmes at Melanin Medics, a UK-based network supporting aspiring and current doctors from African and Caribbean backgrounds. She serves on the Equality and Diversity Board at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School.
Awards and recognition
Owusu has received multiple recognitions for her work in healthcare and social impact, including:
- The Diana Award, recognizing young people for humanitarian and social action efforts.[2]
- Inclusion in the UK Top Black Students List (2021).[3]
She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree in 2025, a TEDx speaker, and honored by HRH Princess Ann for her work in STEM. She has also been featured on major media platforms including BBC and ITV.
Public speaking and influence
Owusu is an international speaker, addressing issues such as equality, diversity and inclusion, female empowerment, global health and social entrepreneurship. Her work centers on empowering young people, particularly women of African descent, to pursue careers in leadership and healthcare.
She has spoken on global stages including the United Nations and as a guest of Michelle Obama at the White House.
Personal life
Owusu has spoken publicly about overcoming barriers related to race, gender, and socioeconomic background, and has cited her family experiences as a key motivation for her career in medicine and advocacy.[4]
References
- ↑ "About" (in en). https://www.khadijaowusu.com/about.
- ↑ "HLA:IDEAS student receives award in 1" (in en). https://www.thehealthcareleadership.academy/hla-ideas-student-receives-receives-award-in-1.
- ↑ Crabbe, Nathaniel (2021-08-12). "Khadija Owusu: Ghanaian doctor named in UK's Top 10 Black Students' list - YEN.COM.GH" (in en). https://yen.com.gh/191982-khadija-owusu-ghanaian-doctor-named-uks-top-10-black-students-list.html.
- ↑ "Khadija Owusu, MD: ‘Representation will create medicine that saves lives’ | Bryant News" (in en). https://news.bryant.edu/khadija-owusu-md-representation-will-create-medicine-saves-lives.
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