WillingWay CEO earns second CNN Heroes Award nomination for transforming lives through rehabilitation

The Chief Executive Officer of WillingWay Recovery and Rehabilitation Center Ghana, Mrs. Lydia Abena Manu Adofo, has earned a nomination for the 2026 CNN Heroes Award, marking the second time her selfless work in rehabilitating people battling drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health conditions has received global recognition.

Mrs. Manu Adofo was nominated by Dr. Kofi Newman of Windsor, Maryland, USA, in recognition of her unwavering commitment to restoring hope and dignity to some of society's most vulnerable people.

The latest nomination comes eight years after her first CNN Heroes Award nomination in 2018, which was submitted by Prof. Lungu from Washington, USA. That nomination brought international attention to her remarkable efforts in transforming the lives of drug addicts, alcoholics and mentally unstable persons, helping many reintegrate successfully into society.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Newman described Mrs. Manu Adofo as a compassionate leader whose work is driven by purpose rather than public acclaim.

"Her passion is not for recognition, but for restoration. She treats addiction as a disease and mental illness as a human condition, not a curse," he wrote.

Mrs. Manu Adofo's nominations have been inspired by her years of caring for mentally unstable persons, drug addicts and alcoholics living on the streets, despite operating without government funding or external sponsorship.

As a mental health advocate and practitioner, she has built WillingWay Recovery and Rehabilitation Center around the belief that every individual deserves a second chance, regardless of their condition or background.

The rehabilitation centre currently operates two facilities to meet the increasing demand for its services. Its main centre is located at Asawasi in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region, while a second facility serves clients in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

Reacting to the nomination, Mrs Manu Adofo expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Newman and the organisers of the CNN Heroes Awards for recognising her work.

"I am deeply grateful for this honour and sincerely thank everyone who believes in our mission. This recognition is not just for me but for every staff member, volunteer and person who has supported our work over the years," she said.

She pledged to use the recognition as motivation to expand the centre's impact and reach more people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.

"This nomination encourages me to do even more. I remain committed to helping more people recover from addiction, restore their dignity and rebuild their lives. Our mission to give hope to those society has forgotten will continue," she added.

The nomination is expected to further shine an international spotlight on the work of WillingWay Recovery and Rehabilitation Center Ghana and its continuing efforts to provide care, rehabilitation and hope for people battling addiction and mental illness.