Patricia Mawuli Nyekodzi facts for kids

Patricia Mawuli Nyekodzi (born in 1988) is a truly inspiring Ghanaian woman. She made history as Ghana's first female certified pilot. She is also an amazing aircraft engineer, teacher, and trainer. Guess what? She is the only woman qualified to build special airplane engines called Rotax Aircraft Engines!

Early Life and Flying Dreams

Patricia grew up in a small village called Mepe in Ghana. Her home was a simple mud shack. From a young age, she loved watching planes fly high above her village. This sparked her dream of flying one day.

When Patricia was 19, she went to Kpong Airfield looking for a job. The director, Jonathan Porter, first said no. But Patricia was determined! She offered to work for free, helping to clear weeds and tree stumps from the runway.

Jonathan Porter soon noticed how smart and skilled Patricia was. She cleared the land very efficiently. He then asked her to help him build an airplane. Patricia quickly learned how to use the tools and master the skills needed. Impressed by her talent, Porter hired her as his apprentice. He also started teaching her how to fly!

A Trailblazing Career

In 2009, Patricia Mawuli became Ghana's first female civilian pilot. This was a huge achievement! She also became the first black African woman certified to build Rotax Aircraft Engines. She is also the first woman in West Africa to be certified to fix and maintain these engines.

In early 2010, Patricia and Jonathan Porter started an aviation school. It is called Aviation and Technology Academy Ghana, or AvTech. At AvTech, Patricia trains four girls every year.

These girls learn many exciting things. They learn to build and maintain small aircraft. They also get flight instructions and learn about airfield operations. Plus, they study robotics engineering and computers! Patricia uses her own salary to help fund the school. She wants to give girls from rural areas a chance to get an education they might not otherwise have.

Patricia became an instructor at Kpong Airfield, teaching at AvTech. In 2013, she was made the managing director of operations for Kpong Airfield.

Patricia also volunteers as a pilot for "Medicine on the Move." This group works with the Aviation Academy. They fly doctors and medical supplies to remote villages across Ghana. They also help deliver health education. Sometimes, Patricia even drops educational pamphlets from her plane over distant communities!