On Saturday, June 25th, 145 members of Ashesi’s Class of 2016 will be celebrating their years as students at our 12th Commencement Ceremony. Members of the class will be receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science and Management Information Systems. The ceremony will be held at Ashesi’s campus in Berekuso, and over a 1,500 family, alumni, friends and guests are expected. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast will preside over the event.

Speakers
Guest speaker at this year’s ceremony will be award winning CEO of Airtel Ghana, Mrs. Lucy Quist. As the first Ghanaian woman to head a multinational telecom company, Mrs. Quist serves as a great role model for the Class of 2016.

Her vast experience in telecommunications covers both mobile and fixed telephony, and extends to value added services for consumers and enterprises. She has a proven track record of leading teams to deliver superior results. Before joining Airtel Ghana, Lucy was the Director of Vodafone Ghana's Enterprise division, Vodafone Business Solutions.

Lucy started her career in automotive engineering with Ford Motor Company working her way through design engineering, manufacturing and project management functions in the UK, Germany and Portugal. She later became a Change Manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland in London as part of the RBS-ABN AMRO Operations merger team. In 2008, Lucy joined Millicom International Cellular (Tigo), working as Head of Business Development for Africa, and as Head of Northern Sector in Ghana before becoming the Chief Marketing Officer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A product of Wesley Girls' High School, Lucy is passionate about tapping into human potential to deliver outstanding results. She describes herself as an engaging leader who commits her energy to developing her people. She enjoys seeing them soar! She is a Chartered Electrical and Electronic Engineer (UK) who holds a first class degree and an MBA from INSEAD.

Lucy is currently the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana’s Marketing Woman of the Year, and in 2016 was awarded the Telecoms CEO of the Year at the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA). She is also a champion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education in Ghana.

This year’s Class Speaker will be Festus Emmanuel Jartu ’16, from the Gambia. A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science candidate, Festus is among the pioneer class of MasterCard Foundation Scholars at Ashesi.

Watch It Live
If you will not be able to make it to campus to cheer for the Class of 2016, you can follow the live stream on Ashesi’s Facebook page.

Keep it Social
We invite Netizens to share their experiences on social media using the hashtags, #Ashesi2016 or #AshesiGrad.

June 25, 2016 – Ashesi celebrated its 12th graduating class at a touching ceremony held in the Cornfield Archer Courtyard on campus this weekend. Nearly 2,000 family, friends, students and alumni joined the Class of 2016 to celebrate their years of work at Ashesi, and welcome them to the Ashesi alumni community. Lucy Quist, CEO of Airtel Ghana, was guest speaker at this year’s commencement ceremony. Other guests of honour included the Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Chief of Berekuso, Nana Oteng Korankye II, representatives from the University of Cape Coast and the University of Mines and Technology, the Managing Director of Unibank Ghana, Mr. Felix Nyarko-pong, and the Head of Corporate Business at Old Mutual Ghana, Sosthenes Konutsey. 144 graduates were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science and Management Information Systems.

A New Academic Bar at Ashesi 
30% of the class of 2016 graduated with academic honours, higher than any other class in Ashesi's history. "Because you have met alumni from Ashesi’s previous classes, you must know that it is quite the feat to set a new bar for excellence at Ashesi," said Ashesi President Dr. Awuah, congratulating the class. "This is a testament to how persistent and engaged you have all been since you first walked onto Ashesi’s campus as freshmen. On behalf of everyone, I want to say, well done Class of 2016!"

The Power of Friendships
In her opening reading, Ashesi's retiring Provost, Dr. Marcia Grant, encouraged the class to cherish their friendships at Ashesi. "You are the most international class we are graduating from Ashesi to date," she said. "I have a vision for Ashesi graduates in the future, armed with their Ashesi Alumni directories, flying across Africa and visiting friends in Kenya and Zimbabwe, in Nigeria and the Gambia, in Cameroon and Rwanda. And maybe meeting up in London and Paris, in Abuja and New York, in Johannesburg and Mumbai."

The Class of 2016, A Gift To Others
In a moving speech, Class speaker Festus Emmanuel Jartu '16, a MasterCard Foundation Scholar from the Gambia, shared the class’ story with the gathering, highlighting highs, lows and lessons learned. "At Ashesi, we don’t just graduate with degrees in MIS, Computer Science, Business Administration or Engineering," he said. "We graduate with a mission to serve, and a mandate to give to society more than we take from it. We are not just gifted for ourselves, we are a gift to others. [...] We don’t dwell on what we have been through; our struggle, the inequality, poverty or our broken environments. We are a group that carries the ambitions of scientists, engineers, business leaders, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, and many others."  

Channeling Fear 
"Today, you get to step out into the world, having completed most of your formal education, to begin a new chapter focused on your professional impact in the world. No doubt, this is a happy and exciting day," said Dr. Awuah, in his address to the graduating class. "But If you feel anything like I did on my commencement day, you also feel a small sense of uncertainty about the vast future that awaits you. Do not be afraid. [...] The multidisciplinary education you have had here, the emphasis we’ve placed on critical analytical reasoning, and the problem solving skills you have honed here, have all prepared you for the reality of a changing world. So have courage."

Transforming Africa for Good
"You see between our best and worst countries on this continent the difference is not real enough," said Lucy Quist, recently named Telecom CEO of the Year, in her keynote address. "Progress is a continent where all our children have access to a good education. Real progress means having healthcare systems that ensure the quality and preservation of life. I could go on. Yet, young people like you fill me with hope that it is possible to create change. Africa is not poor. It has more than enough resources for its people. Our poverty is a poverty of mindset. My singular message to you today is to become leaders who diligently execute big visions to transform Africa for good."

Deputy Minister of Education Praises Ashesi 
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education, Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. Samuel Ablakwa, congratulated Ashesi for its impressive history. "We want to place on record that the government of President Mahama, and the good people of Ghana are extremely proud of Ashesi University. Ashesi continues to break and defy many myths and many odds that have been the dominant narrative in Africa. [...] It is on that note that I am delighted to announce today that the interim assessment report that we have cited from the National Accreditation Board, points to one fact. And that fact, is that before the year 2016 ends, Ashesi University is going to receive its Presidential Charter. This is a feat worth celebrating." 

See all the Updates from Commencement 2016
Watch a replay of the Commencement Ceremony livestream on our Facebook page, or see all the updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags, #AshesiGrad or #Ashesi2016. 

Congratulations Class of 2016!

When Ivy Esohe Osagie-Erese climbed the stage to receive her degree, the applause was not just from her friends, her classmates, or her club members from the Art Factory she headed while in Ashesi. The proudest applause came from her family who travelled all the way from Nigeria to celebrate her graduation from Ashesi. For her parents Prince Austine and Ego Osagie-Erese though, this position was not entirely unfamiliar. Their first daughter, Thelma, also graduated from Ashesi two years earlier.  “They have become independent Amazons who can stand on their own anywhere, any day, anytime and that makes us proud,” said Ego, of both their daughters.  

Six years ago, all was set for Thelma to enroll at University of Ibadan, but when the university's faculty went on strike, they were forced to reconsider their options. “We took a census and found out that universities in Nigeria often go on strike so we decided that Thelma should attend a university outside the country,” Prince Austine explained. “During our search, we heard about Ashesi from Thelma's friend, Kabiru Seidu ‘14 and when we went online, we liked what we saw.” 

Naturally, sending their first child off to university in another country, they were concerned about her well being, but by the time Ivy, the second daughter, was ready for university, the choice was not as difficult. “We were very impressed with Thelma's development,” Ego said. “So for Ivy, the decision [about Ashesi] came naturally.” 

For the Osagie-Ereses, Ashesi represents a model they have come to appreciate. Ashesi’s liberal arts curriculum and exposure given to students proved the needed mix for their daughters’ development. “Ashesi provided not just the academic standard we were looking for but also had the liberal aspect that made it attractive,” Ego added. “The training enhanced leadership qualities and interaction with diverse group of people.” 

As they celebrate both their daughters’ transitions to new stages of their lives, they couldn’t be prouder. In six years, Prince Austine and Ego have watched Thelma and Ivy grow in many positive ways, stemming from the decision they made about choosing Ashesi. “We have a sense of fulfilment, accomplishment, good financial investment and a feeling of achievement,” concluded Prince Austine.  

"Impactful" is a sentiment you will sense from several Ashesi graduates when describing their experience at Ashesi. The Ashesi experience is built around community, yet how one navigates the terrain, moving on from year to year can be exciting or in some ways daunting. Here, a few members of the Class of 2016 share parting advice in welcoming members of the Class of 2020. 

Alfred Achiampong '16

Business Administration

Out of all the people I met at Ashesi, majority said they actually wanted to come to Ashesi. It was the exact opposite for me. Driven by passion to become an artist, I honestly did not see how such an institution could be aligned with my passion and further help me accomplish my goal. However, my four years here have had a major impact on my previous perception of Ashesi. I didn’t get the chance to have any art classes or push my artistic prowess to its endless limit. However, with a vision of wanting to raise entrepreneurial leaders, Ashesi has showed me how to combine my artistic gift with the entrepreneurial skills I acquired, making me a product of that vision.  

Ashesi, may not be for everyone. However, I can guarantee you that it will definitely have an impact in your life. Regardless of whether the impact is small or colossal in nature, this is an experience that will leave an indelible mark. In the same way, before you leave as an alum, give the Ashesi community a reason to remember you. Welcome to Ashesi!  

Esohe Ivymaria Osagie-Erese '16

Business Administration  

Being an International student, Ashesi became a second home for me. In four years, I learnt so much about myself. Ashesi helped me know who I wanted to be and what I needed to do to achieve that. I realised that the  healthy competition between my peers awoke a hunger and the zeal to make a better Africa. 

So, Welcome to Ashesi! I promise things will get tough, but everyday you spend learning, not just in but outside the classroom, will definitely be worth it. So enjoy the fun times and learn from the difficult times no matter how difficult it is. And eventually when your name is called to receive that certificate, every step you take towards it will only reassure you that excellence truly is in you. Ayekoo Class of 2020!!!   

Israel Agyeman-Prempeh '16

Computer Science      

 Ashesi University gave me a different perspective in solving problems in an analytical manner. All my lecturers were a great sources of encouragement, who taught me to dream big. My outlook on life has changed and I no longer understand what the word impossible means. As hard as I try, “I can’t think far”.  

Welcome to Ashesi! Take a stab at every opportunity you can! Have fun, and meet people! Lastly create your own future and let no-one tell you otherwise, you have just joined league of extraordinary ladies and gentlemen!  

Effie Bartels-Kodwo '16

Business Administration  

Ashesi is really what you make it. I have come to understand that diligence in anything you do brings good results. Whatever you think you want to do or are interested in doing, DO IT! Do not listen to people too much, do not compare yourself to others and do not quit when it fails. These fours years are supposed to be some of the best in your lives so enjoy Ashesi and have no regrets.   
Welcome class of 2020 and GO BIG, always!  

Dan Gyinaye Poku ‘16

Computer Science  

As I moved up from freshman year to senior year, Ashesi made me realize it’s not really about me and a cool education. It’s about a shared value where we act as catalysts for positive change for our world.  I saw the defect of the African society (in particular) creatively laid bare in most of my classes for truth to be told and known. Knowledge was not what I only came here for; I was taught to carefully melt it into a key cast with action and equity to unlock Africa’s door latch to prosperity, starting with my immediate community.  

Trust me, there is a lot of fun and pretty cool stuff up here on this hill, but be moderate in your expectations. Ashesi is not recreating a fantastic learning experience unheard-of, or renewing the world for you, Ashesi renews you for the world. And when the time is due in 2020, toss your graduation caps in readiness to help reshape lives and systems, and to create a better experience for all than what you see today.  

Welcome folks! Welcome to the beginning.   

Ibrahim Khalil Soumahoro ‘16 

Business Administration 

My time at Ashesi taught me the importance of diversity and networking. Being among a pool of some of the smartest students from all over the world helped me challenge myself constantly, understand different cultures, and have a better understanding of some of the worlds pressing issues from different perspectives. I was able to build a strong network and now I can feel at home wherever I find myself in Africa.  

To the class of 2020, congratulations on making it to one of the best educational institution in Africa.  

One piece of advice: Do not be afraid to succeed! There will come many times when you will find yourself challenged but at the same time, Ashesi will provide you with all the resources and infrastructure that will help you overcome them.  

Always seek for help. From your colleagues and those before you who are some of the smartest students, to your lecturers; some of the most brilliants in their field of study, everyone is willing to help. Make good use of them. Also, Ashesi will give you exposure to so many opportunities. Make great use of them. Finally, make sure you have fun and enjoy your stay.

Dorcas Amoh-Mensah '16 

Business Administration

Ashesi was a challenge. I realized if an educational system does not challenge you to think differently and critically, and push you out of your comfort zone leading to deeper self-discovery and transformation then you have not been educated. This is what Ashesi exposed me to. I realized there is hope for the continent if many students are educated this way.

Welcome to the system that would challenge you beyond your imagination but the most important thing is that every challenge can be surmounted with determination and focus. So take up this challenge of being an Ashesi student and bet me, you will be happy you did. Welcome 2020. 

Apply to be a member of the Class of 2020 here. Deadline for Round 2 ends June 30, 2016. 

In the Vorgbe household, conversations around Ashesi are plentiful and often stretched taught, and no one is a spectator - not Francis or Annie Vorgbe, or any of their four sons, three of whom have graduated from Ashesi. Essentially, each member of the family has become a stakeholder, sharing in the collective Ashesi experience.

For Francis and Annie, choosing Ashesi was not just a family decision, but one that proved to be the best-fitting puzzle piece for deepening and expanding the values their family holds dear. “We recognized that our values as a family aligned with Ashesi’s values of citizenship, leadership, honour, hard work and a balanced life,” explained Francis. “This gave us the hope that Ashesi would reinforce in our boys the values that we held dear as parents, in addition to the advantage of smaller student numbers.”

[Victor Kafui Vorgbe '16 graduated summa cum laude] 

In 2005 when, when Francis first heard Patrick Awuah talk about Ashesi in an interview on a local radio station, he was convinced this young liberal arts college was up to something. Following this, Emile, their first son, enrolled at Ashesi, and his experience left no doubt in the parents' minds about the decision they made. “The hugely positive impact of Ashesi on a naturally reticent Emile, assured us that we had made the right choice in persuading him to select Ashesi,” he said. “Delali and Kafui who followed in his footsteps did not even fill forms for any other university; it was unquestionably Ashesi.”

Not only have the Vorgbe boys been impacted by Ashesi, but Francis and Annie have also been beneficiaries, imbibing some of the very core tenets that guide the school’s course. “Is there an Ashesi parent who has not heard of the honour code?” he says. “The voluntary acceptance to do the right thing even when no one is watching; not to lie, steal or cheat and to decide not to tolerate those who do? This concept and its usefulness have been the subject of long debate and discussion at our home and family outings, with our youngest son, who is now in senior high school, determined not to be left out of the banter.”

[Francis Delali Vorgbe '14, past recipient of Ashesi's Presidential Award] 

Of the 144 members of the Class of 2016 who graduated, about 11% have siblings who are either Ashesi alumni or are currently enrolled in the school. Increasingly, families are making Ashesi the choice for educating their next generation. For the Vorgbes, Ashesi not only represents an excellent choice, but also a beacon of hope. “Ashesi has given us hope,” says Francis. “Hope about the limitless possibilities available to young, well-trained minds, imbued with solid values to raise the bar of leadership which this world, especially ours, is so much in need of.”

In 2012, Ashesi was named one of nine pioneer partners for The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program; the education initiative provides talented but under-resourced students in developing countries - particularly in Africa - with strong support for secondary and university education. That year, Ashesi welcomed its first class of Scholars to campus, pioneers who would set the benchmark for future generations of scholars. 

Four years later, on June 25th, 2016, this pioneer class of scholars, representing seven countries from across Africa, were awarded degrees at Ashesi’s 12th commencement ceremony. 28% graduated with academic honours. For the scholars, this unique scholarship opportunity exposed them to opportunities to learn, grow and make impact. Grace Amponsah '16, for example, founded A New Dawn, an initiative that works to tackle barriers to education faced by girls in Berekuso, and help them develop stronger potential for success. She eventually won a $10,000 grant from the Dalai Lamma Fellowship to help expand the program, which today has helped bring a big mindset shift in gender conversations in Berekuso.  

“I was greatly inspired by MasterCard Foundation's "Give Back" initiative, and my internship at the Leading Ladies' Network, founded by an Ashesi alumna,” says Grace, speaking on her motivation for starting A New Dawn. “But I was also inspired by conversations we had in our Leadership 4 class at Ashesi, which encouraged us to do what we can with what we have.”

To Dorcas Amoh-Mensah '16, who was one of three recipients of the Scholarship, Leadership and Citizenship award, Ashesi was a challenge she has come to appreciate. "I realised if an educational system does not challenge you to think differently and critically, and push you out of your comfort zone leading to deeper self-discovery and transformation then you have not been educated," she said. "This is what Ashesi exposed me to. I realized there is hope for the continent if many students are educated this way."

For Festus Emmanuel Jartu '16, who left his home in Sierra Leone to start a new life in the Gambia because of war at the time, the scholarship was a turning point in his life. “It was a certainty that I could not attend university without a scholarship," Festus explained. In a valedictory speech on behalf of his class, he encouraged guests present, to see stories like his as a reminder to always have hope.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my being here today proves that we are not the product of our circumstances but rather the product of our aspirations," his emotional address read. "We don’t dwell on what we have been through; our struggle, the inequality, poverty or our broken environments. We are a group that carries the ambitions of scientists, engineers, business leaders, artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, and many others. To everyone here, the Class of 2016’s message to you is this; do not let your history determine your glory."

In a dinner held to celebrate the first batch of scholars, Peter Materu, Director of Education and Learning at The MasterCard Foundation, encouraged the scholars to blaze a trail. “You are the people who are going to be out there as ambassadors of our mission to pave the way for the future and the others who are to come after you,” he said. “You’re now heading out to the next step in your lives. Down the road, you want to be able to look back and say that you have impacted your family, your community, your country.”  

MasterCard Foundation Scholars at Ashesi, Class of 2016
Ali Njie    
Ali Seidu  
Anna Naami   
Beatrice Lung'ahu   
Benson Wachira   
Courage Kpotosu 
Comfort Tenjier  
David Wainaina  
Dorcas Tamatey   
Dorcas Amoh Mensah (Magna Cum Laude)  
Festus Emmanuel Jartu  
Grace Amponsah (Magna Cum Laude) 
Israel Oladejo  
Julateh Mulbah  
Khadija Bawah  
Leticia Otubea Opoku (Magna Cum Laude) 
Lydia Kemuma Kinyari (Cum Laude) 
Makani Mweembe  
Margaret Ayodele  
Maxwell Nii Laryea (Cum Laude)
Memory Mumbi  
Miriam Odonkor (Summa Cum Laude) 
Mychal George  
Norbert Sackey  
Obed Nsiah (Summa Cum Laude)
Daniel Osei   
Rahab Wangari (Cum Laude) 
Salifu Mutaru  
Samuel Kumi  
Saudatu Mohammed (Cum Laude) 
Shedrach Akesse  
Zeinab Fuseini 

In December 2007, Sarah-Michelle Mills graduated from Ashesi with a degree in Business Administration. Exactly a week later, she started work as Ashesi's first Alumni Relations and Development Officer. In her role then, she helped tell the Ashesi story to a global audience while managing partnerships that generated resources to build phase one of the university's permanent campus.

According to Sarah-Michelle, telling Ashesi’s story was a rare honour – “we were building an institution that was changing the face of education in Africa, and I got to contribute to it by writing and telling its stories.”

“It never felt like work,” says Sarah-Michelle who wrote her first book (which didn’t quite take off) at age 10 and was President of both the Writers’ and Debaters’ Club and Student Council at Aburi Girls’ High School. “Developing compelling narratives is second nature to me – I was working with a completely switched on team and I was having the time of my life.”

Reflecting on Experiences at Ashesi
As an alumna, Sarah-Michelle continues to be a firm believer in Ashesi’s values. However, when she initially applied in 2003, her plan was to spend a semester at Ashesi and move on to pursue other opportunities. But that first semester was unlike anything she had experienced. "From school-assigned classics in Text and Meaning to more contemporary writing for African Philosophical Thought, my imagination was sparked and my mind, blown. I was having a learning revolution.”

“I remember our Pre-Calculus professor always coming to class with freshly baked muffins and iced tea, which he made himself. He wanted us to like math and apply logical reasoning to everything.  I began paying attention to how everyone around me used math in their day to day actions. Over time, I started to enjoy math and I would go to sleep each night excited about the next day of school.”

After establishing the Alumni Relations Office at Ashesi, Sarah-Michelle went on to work as a Political and Communications Associate at the British High Commission in Ghana, and then as a Brand and Marketing Communications Specialist at Vodafone Ghana. From 2013 to 2014, she studied for an MBA at the Dubai and Shanghai campuses of HULT International Business School, where she was named a Global Ambassador.

“By championing big initiatives like the Honour Code and taking advantage of work-study opportunities, Ashesi provided the perfect place to stockpile knowledge and gain expertise,” she says. “I must have worked in every Ashesi office – from Admissions to Student Services.”

Stepping Forward as a Leader
In 2015, Sarah-Michelle joined General Electric (GE), Ghana, as a Market Development Associate for Sub-Saharan Africa. In that role, she created brand and market development strategies for GE’s businesses in Africa. Today, as Lead Specialist for Market Development, she’s driving partnerships that scale GE’s presence as a leading provider of solutions to some of Africa’s biggest challenges.

“Going to Ashesi in those early days was really about taking a risk on one man’s dream. I had never met Dr. Patrick Awuah, but Ashesi’s vision forced you to pay attention. In retrospect, my time at Ashesi  taught me some of my most important career lessons - failing successfully, not leaving any measure of innovation on the table and trying new things if the original plan doesn’t work. Ashesi taught me to be strong, hardworking, courageous, open-minded and compassionate – all critical skills for success as a 21st Century business leader," says Sarah-Michelle.

July 8, 2016 - In a brief ceremony held at the Maison Francaise at the University of Ghana, Professor Emerita at Ashesi, Nana Araba Apt, launched the book, Positioning Ghana: Challenges and Innovations. The book, a compilation of ideas from scholars, public officers and human development activists, focuses on solutions, in-depth discussions on democracy and governance and examines selected policies in planning different government sectors for a improved sustainable development in Ghana.

In a speech, editor of the book, Professor Apt discussed the book’s relevance to policy building in Ghana, highlighting various sector interventions. “There is much work to be done by all of us; civil societies, universities, civil service, parliament and the executive,” she said. “ This book focuses on what I term the ideas revolution, sourcing ideas from experts, conversing on Ghana’s development history about how things can be done differently, efficiently and cost effectively. Books like this one will help to stimulate discussions and awareness about development issues.”

The book was sponsored by the French Embassy and published by the Institut de Recherche français en Afrique, Nigeria. Speaking at the event was the Ambassador of France to Ghana, His Excellency François Pujolas, who expressed his country’s willingness to work towards shared developmental goals for Ghana and France. “Heading towards the national electoral elections, the book is a timely initiative,” he said. “Positioning Ghana not only provides in-depth analysis for the country to attain appreciable international standards, but also provides evaluation in the context of regional integration. France will always be happy to identify and participate in projects that puts focus on Ghana’s development and help strengthens the relationship between both countries.”

On Thursday July 7, 2016, Dr. Marcia Grant said her final goodbyes to a community she had come to call home for the past three and a half years. Her journey with Ashesi, however, started long before she became Provost.

In 2007, when she received an honorary doctorate degree from Swarthmore College, she learned about a young Ghanaian who had also been a awarded an honorary doctorate earlier. After reading about him and the liberal arts college he had founded in Ghana, Marcia sent a donation to support Ashesi's dream. The relationship started there. In the years following, she visited Ashesi during the annual donor trip in 2011, and in 2013 became Ashesi’s provost.

It’s been a good three years,” Marcia said. “I’ve seen so many people grow marvelously, and we will keep surpassing ourselves as we grow carefully.”

While Ashesi’s community will miss Marcia’s presence, her legacy will remain indelible in the building blocks of Ashesi’s growth. At Ashesi’s 12^th commencement, the Deputy Minister of Education announced that Ashesi will receive its presidential charter by the end of 2016.

For Marcia, working towards Ashesi’s Presidential Charter had been highest priority as Provost. “I had certain goals, one of them was to get the charter, more than anything,” she said. “Now that we’re only several steps away, we’re more excited about how much of a difference it will make for Ashesi.”

For both members of faculty and staff, Marcia’s leadership spurred both individual and institutional growth. “It has been such a pleasure getting to know [Marcia] over the past couple of years,” said Dr. Ayorkor Korsah. “She’s helped us think more long term in terms of our careers and what it means to be faculty at Ashesi, about what Ashesi means in the local context and what it means to Africa.”

In the midst of guiding to start Ashesi’s Engineering program, reshaping the curriculum with new courses such as Foundations of Design and Entrepreneurship and French, Marcia also had the chance to learn from Ashesi. “It’s opened new intellectual arenas, and its giving me new connections,” she said. “The multiplying factor for us can happen in a lot of different ways. We really can do more.”

After a year-long internal and external search, Ashesi’ Executive Team announced Dr. Suzanne Buchele as Ashesi’s third Provost. Dr. Buchele who assumed the role on the 1^st of July, 2016, takes over from Dr. Marcia Grant who served as Provost for three and a half years. As Provost, Dr. Buchele will head the faculty and all academic matters at Ashesi.

Suzanne Buchele earned a B.A. Summa Cum Laude in Mathematical Sciences from Connecticut College in 1985. After graduating from Connecticut College, she worked as a Programmer/Research Scientist for Scientific Measurement Systems (a small company that designed and built industrial CAT scanners), after which she went on to do an M.A. in Mathematics, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Sciences from the University of Texas, Austin.  Suzanne joined the faculty of Southwestern University in 1998 and was awarded tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in 2006. At Southwestern, she served in faculty leadership and received a university-wide teaching award.

Suzanne was Ashesi’s first Fulbright Scholar, from 2006-2007. She extended her Fulbright to 2007-2008, when she took on the role of Acting Dean of Academic Affairs at Ashesi. After her return to Southwestern University, Suzanne remained engaged with Ashesi, serving as a visiting lecturer during the summers of 2010 and 2012

In 2014, Dr. Buchele returned to Ashesi as full-time Associate Professor of Computer Science and Associate Provost. Since her return to Ashesi, Suzanne has been instrumental in Ashesi’s growth, serving as a member of the Executive Committee; leading the curriculum development committee for our new engineering program; and leading the development of Ashesi’s application to host the Ghana Climate Innovation Center. As Associate Provost, she has also shared responsibility with the Provost in managing Ashesi’s Academic Programs.

“I am grateful to the Executive Team for this opportunity to work alongside them and continue our efforts in making Ashesi the very best it can be,” said Dr. Buchele. “At Ashesi, we all seek to push students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers and help them develop into the ethical, entrepreneurial leaders that Africa needs. Our faculty already exposes students to new ideas and pedagogies, and guide them to see Africa’s problems as their opportunities. I will continue Dr. Grant’s legacy and work with faculty to deliver our existing programs with excellence. I also look forward to working with stakeholders to develop new innovative programs that expand Ashesi’s reach.”

Towards the end of the 2014 National Service calendar, former classmates from Ashesi, Richard Bempong and Andrew Bimpong started exploring the idea of starting an online-based fashion store. They soon found out that besides capital, one of the biggest challenges startups face is finding affordable space that is conducive enough for effective work. They promptly shelved their initial idea and started working to help fill this gap they had also become victims of. And so the idea for Workshed was birthed.

“We started Workshed because there is a demand which makes sense,” explained Richard. “We sought to create a co-working community that aims to provide a workspace that is comfortable and affordable for freelancers and startups to nurture and grow their businesses.”

Diving into the deep end

To fully commit themselves and the needed resources to this goal, Richard left his job in a local investment bank, while Andrew also abandoned his position in a real estate firm. “A major hurdle for me was convincing my parents that even though working for someone was safe, doing something I really love was more than secure,” said Andrew. “I also maintained there was no point making a huge investment in paying for Ashesi for me to blend in with the status quo.”

After just over a year of long nights with little rest, the two acquired a floor in an office complex in the thriving business district on the Spintex road and turned it into a co-working space. “The whole ideation stage, planning, looking for capital, working with scarce resources have really taught me that starting something is real work and when we hear ideas like Koko King we shouldn't just say it's Hausa Koko,” said Andrew. “We must appreciate every venture and see what we can learn and apply it to how we work.”

Redefining the way work is done

Workshed not only provides startups and diverse groups of freelancers with a conducive space to work, but also it is provides a unique community to rub shoulders with like minded people. “We want to create an ecosystem that helps members achieve their dreams and create value,” explained Richard. “In the long run, we are trying to retell the way work is done; trying to recreate the way people perceive work in Ghana. Starting a business can be a lonely walk, but you don’t need do it alone. And that’s one of the benefits that we give to people in this space.”

For the Richard and Andrew, they hope to impact the entrepreneurial landscape not only in Ghana, but in Africa. “Workshed positions us to conquer Africa, and Ghana is definitely the first step,” said Andrew. “And for charting this path as an entrepreneur I look forward to developing and starting other ideas that would impact the youth and give credence to- Start with what you have- a quote I picked from Dr. Ansah’s Leadership 4 class at Ashesi”

Four students from Ashesi were selected from Ashesi to join the IE Business School summer programme in Madrid this month. The IE Summer School is an intense three-week program, that offers undergraduate students and recent graduates the opportunity to follow courses across a wide range of disciplines. Classes are taught by faculty at IE, and participants in the programme get to study Spanish and enjoy the city of Madrid through different extracurricular activities and team-building events.  

86 students from 29 countries around the world are attending this year’s programme, and the four Ashesi students, Kwesi Korboe ’19, Latifah Lamptey ’17, William Annoh ’16 and Makafui Amezah ’17, were the only African students selected. All four also received scholarships to attend the programme, as part of an arrangement between IE Business School and Ashesi.  

Photo: Students at Google Offices in Madrid

"On my left sat Bernardo from Portugal, Priscilla from Columbia, Sigrid from China, Alessandro from Italy, Dennis from Russia, Manuel from Austria, Dishit from India, and Pauline from Greece,” writes Latifah from Madrid, two weeks into the programme. “Then suddenly I realized, IE has given me much more than just a couple more Facebook friends; it has given me eyes to the world, and is teaching me how to work my way through it. I couldn't be more grateful."  

Alongside soft-skill workshops in teamwork, leadership, personal branding, among others, all students in the programme can also specialise in International Relations, International Business Law, Marketing and Communications, Entrepreneurship and International Finance. The students also get to spend time at international companies in Madrid.  

Photo: Students join classmates at the San Fermin Festival in Madrid

“I'm studying international finance here at IE, and the classroom experience has been very helpful,” writes William. “Studying finance with people from countries all over the world has given me a much broader perspective about the different kinds of international markets, etcetera. This finance diploma will be helpful in my career, and will greatly complement my Management Information Systems degree from Ashesi.”  

“I got the opportunity to meet people from diverse cultures and have insightful conversations with them,” Kwesi also writes. “I learnt how to be more open to people, not to hide any talents I have and not to let fear prevent me from growing. I believe experiencing the entire program has helped improve my character in all manner of ways.”

In a study conducted at Linkoping University in 2013, by psychology researcher Chato Rasoal, it was concluded that students in Engineering are often less empathetic than students in other caring programmes like healthcare. The study focused on students’ degree of imagination, ability to see from the perspective of others, and level of caring they had for people around them. With many Engineering graduates often rising to lead large teams and organisations, how can universities, prepare them to make thoughtful decisions?  

In what probably serves as a first for Ghana, faculty at Ashesi spent some 18 months thinking through this problem, and understanding the ways in which Ashesi’s new Engineering programme could set an example for solving it. The project was funded by the John E. Fetzer Institute, which seeks to encourage people to pivot from an ego-centered world, to one grounded in oneness and love. The resulting Engineering programme, launched at Ashesi in 2015, is already helping students see beyond the confines of their classrooms and labs, to the broader world.  

“Even in our first few Engineering classes at Ashesi, we have had a lot of conversations about ethics and concern for others,” says student, Eugene Jamu ’19. “In one of our assignments, for example, we had to research some of the world’s biggest engineering disasters, and understand the lapses that caused it. So we are not only learning about engineering skill, but also how to positively influence our communities with those skills. I am grateful for that.”  

Establishing a community of caring
The Ashesi-Fetzer Institute project, focused on identifying the ways in which love, compassion and forgiveness can be shown both in the content and teaching of an Engineering academic programme. “We want to engage students in a broad Engineering education,” explains faculty member Aelaf Dafla. “We want them to understand their society, engage their community, and be Engineers that solve their societies problems.”  

The faculty-led team focused not only on teaching students, but also faculty, about the importance of being empathetic. Throught the project, a 3-member team, led by Provost Dr. Suzanne Buchele, attended a week-long workshop at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, titled, “Meeting the Needs of the 21st Century: Designing for Student Engagement.” During the workshop, the team learned about building engagement with students by understanding their motivations, and designing learning activities to support them.  Since then, 3 other faculty have been through the workshop, and Olin faculty Ben Linder came to Ashesi with three students and graduates of Olin to deliver elements of the same workshop to all Ashesi faculty.  

“The whole profession of Engineering is about uplifting society,” says Dean of Engineering, Dr. Fred McBagonluri. “The job of an Engineer is to understand how their work will affect human lives, and if we can firmly establish a set of principles for teaching that, we would have done a great job.”

July 15, 2016 - The Private University Students Association of Ghana (PUSAG) held a leadership bootcamp at Ashesi for student government leaders of private tertiary institutions in Ghana. The bootcamp, on the theme Being a Generation Student Leader, was attended by representatives from over 35 private tertiary institutions.

PUSAG aims to build a common platform for private universities in Ghana to network and engage with one another while also acting as a mouthpiece on a national level. Opening the event, Richard Odame ’15, President of PUSAG, encouraged the student leaders to focus on leaving legacies others can build on. “As student leaders the essence of organizing this workshop is to help reengineer our mindsets to understand that taking up a leadership role is not about wearing a title or building our professional or political careers,” he said. “We should instead work towards leaving a legacy. The interests of the students we represent should be our heartbeat, and the anchor on which all our operations are centered on.”

The bootcamp involved a mix of lectures from guest speakers and breakout sessions with business leaders in industry. In a talk with the student leaders, Dr. Patrick Awuah encouraged them to work towards national development and avoid shortcuts. “We must not believe in the idea that private universities cannot be the same quality or better than public universities,” he said. “In order for the private universities to be really strong, we have to do the work. Just for our own sake, we need to do the work, but more importantly for the sake of our country we need to do the work. We need to live up to the expectation that we can help develop this country. So your challenge as future leaders is to remember that shortcuts lead to calamity. You need to make a decision that you’re going to be ethical. The journey towards that will be a profoundly positive journey for this country.”

The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also highlighted the need for student leaders to engage beyond their schools. “In the positions you are occupying as student leaders, you should remember to be humble and earn the confidence of not only students, but also of the citizens in the country,” he said. “We obtained that confidence in times past, because we were not selfish, we were not thinking about only our immediate environments. We were thinking about the country, and the continent. We were nationalistic and pan African in our outlook.”

Two weeks. That was how much time our first-year Engineering students had to design and build a working prototype for solar-powered mini-generators. The generators were a culmination of their six-week long “Introduction to Engineering” class, during which the students started their foundational classes in Engineering. 

The students, split into various groups, took on the challenge against the backdrop of power supply challenges in Ghana’s capital city, Accra. The generator prototypes they built could charge a range of devices, from mobile phones to laptops. The two-week long project was a chance for students to explore for the first time, the different tools and equipment they would be using for their work throughout their next three years on campus.

Below, two groups do a walk-through of their generator prototypes, and explain the thinking which went into their design choices.

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Ashesi alumna, Fauziya Anafo '15, writes on her experience as an intern with the United Nations World Food Programme in Rome, Italy, and how it fits into her long-term career goals.

I am currently working at the United Nations World Food Programme (UNFWP) Headquarters as an Innovation and Change Management intern. I first learned about the job role through Ashesi’s Career Services Office, but was not told it was with the UNWFP, until I actually received an email from their recruiting team saying I should go ahead with my application. I was unsure about my chances of getting into the programme, until I heard the feedback after I was done with my second interview.

My work at the UNFWP is exactly what I had hoped to do after graduation. I have always wanted to work with an NGO that focuses on either food security, or issues concerning women. Coming from the Northern part of Ghana, where we increasingly lack the ability to harness our land and dry weather to alleviate hunger, I have always wanted to be a part of a change process that addresses these issues. This internship is allowing to develop the skills and capacity to pursue a career in this direction, and it continues to be fulfilling. Of course, I cannot fail to mention that this was a very good opportunity for me to experience the beautiful city of Rome!

Visiting the  Colosseum in Rome

At the UNFWP, my division works to combine management consulting and lean start-up thinking with non-profit projects to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition. This division reports to the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), and seeks to create value through prioritizing and better harnessing innovative ideas, as well as scaling up transformative projects to a global level. The team consists of former management consultants (Project Managers and Consultants from Boston Consulting Group, Bain, McKinsey, etcetera.) working with executive management to drive strategic corporate priority projects, which have a high profile within the organization. This means, of course, that team is also very diverse; I have colleagues from Asia, Europe, and South America and of course Africa. 

In my second week of the programme, I had the opportunity to go for a retreat where we were all supposed to bring something that represented us. I took along a photo of the logo of my alma mater, Ashesi University College. When I was asked why that represented me, my response was: “any institution that strives to embed ethics in their students, is a university that can make the change that my country and Africa as a whole needs; and everyday, I strive to live out the values that Ashesi taught me.”

If ever I doubted how proud I was of Ashesi, that was the moment I was full convinced. Ashesi’s spirit of volunteerism, fuelled my willingness to give back as often as possible, and my supervisor has been especially impressed with my ability to communicate ideas during presentations. In retrospect, I should have done more to keep up with global issues during my time as a student. It was too easy to get caught up in the pursuit of grades; if I could come back to campus, I would definitely be spending more time engaging opportunities to learn about the wider world of life and work.

But in my experiences so far, I have come to especially appreciate Ashesi encouraging me to always be confident about following my passion. I believe it is important that every student believes that they can achieve so much more than they often imagine. As I sit writing this from Rome, I really look forward to what the future holds and what I could possibly help the world become.

While at Ashesi, alumni Emmanuel Nkansah ‘13 and Frank Anamuah-Koufie ’13 had been involved in setting up several mock businesses, in attempts to strengthen their entrepreneurial muscle. None of those businesses really took off. However, nearing the end of their mandatory one-year national service period, the two resumed conversations about starting a real business.

“We had both come to learn that there was a need for more creative and digital service agencies in Africa, and there was an opportunity to start a digital agency that could step into that gap. We had experience as creatives and web developers, and together with friends Elysia Amarteifio ’13 and Daniel Botchway ’13, as partners, we registered our business and started operating. The named their company Cavemen.

So on 1st August 2014, Emmanuel and Frank stepped into their makeshift office for the first time to begin work as “Cavemen”. "Our name, Cavemen, is a tribute to the early humans who were original inventors," they say. "They invented spears and wheels, and discovered fire. We chose the name to remind us that our core business should always be about solving real human problems."

 Their first attempt at pitching their services to a local company seemed to have gone well, until they got a call saying the contract they bid for had been awarded to someone else. And though they were prepared to go through the process with several other businesses for the next few weeks, a referral from an Ashesi alumnus helped them win an unexpected first contract.

“It was a multinational company that was looking to establish its Ghanaian presence online, and it would be our first major contract. We were nervous, but after pitching our services the company awarded us the contract, and we got straight to work!”

By the end of 2014, Cavemen had turned a profit, unlikely success that Frank and Emmanuel credit to their network of Ashesi alumni, friends and family. “For most of that year most our clients came by way of referrals; from fellow Ashesi alumni, from people we had done work for in the past and sometimes from family. God had been good to us as always. We also constantly leveraged the expertise of fellow alumni in various fields, especially in finance and human resources, in improving our performance. The support made a lot of difference for our business.” 

Though their business had started off well, Cavemen had to rethink their work location. Their original office was based in a corner of a photocopy business, owned by Emmanuel’s uncle, and they run their operations from there until the end of 2014, when they decided it was time to move to a new place.

“It was becoming difficult to host clients in that space, which was really bootstrapped. We knew that as our business grew, it would not be reassuring to clients to see where we operated out of, no matter how good our work was. We needed to find an office space that matched the kind of brand we wanted to build as an agency.”

With that in mind the two moved to a new office, which they also left after four months, because the rent went up after their trial period, and was more than their business could afford. “It was not easy finding affordable space, and we spent most of 2015 just trying to find a more permanent home. In 2016, they learned about the Workshed, a co-working space started by fellow Ashesi alumni; seeing how that worked perfectly for their setup, they quickly signed up. 

Today, with some fifty clients and counting, and a steady stream of problems to solve, the team has recruited two recent Ashesi graduates to join them full-time. “We want to expand our design, and business development functions, so it is great to have Dellis and George join our team. We are also working on launching some apps we have been working on for some time, and this will hopefully help us move our agency forward even more.”

July 27 – July 28 – The Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) held a two-day doctoral workshop at Ashesi. Hosted by the Engineering School, the workshop on the theme Sustainable Infrastructural delivery for Economic Growth on the Continent provided a platform for participating doctoral students to share empirical insights into the link between infrastructure delivery and economic growth.

The workshop explored topics in the areas of financing infrastructure delivery in Africa, public-private partnerships and infrastructure delivery, procuring infrastructure in Africa, infrastructure maintenance and facilities and also presentation skills. Participants, who included doctoral students, researches, academicians and professionals in the area of construction managements and other professional fields, had the opportunity to network, and learn through a series of presentations and exercises to help guide them through their work.

“ARCOM workshops provide a way to share knowledge, network, discuss issues based on their research, and share ways to take their research forward,” said Dr. Chika Udaeja of the University of Salford and workshop convener. “Participants learn about something they don’t have or may not have thought about, and get new insights into their work. Essentially, ARCOM helps provide a friendly environment for this to happen.”

The workshop also gave faculty members at Ashesi the opportunity to engage with colleagues from other universities and professionals in related fields. “ARCOM was important for Ashesi particularly because of the engineering environment Ashesi has,” said Ashesi lecturer, Dr. Sena Agyapong, who was also a convener for the workshop. “The mechanical engineers have a role to play in the mechanical systems of buildings, the electrical engineers have a role to play in putting together the whole electronics infrastructure, while the computer engineers have a role in the intelligent systems of structures. The workshop will also help us grow our clout and build exposure for our engineering program beyond Ghana and the United States so people in different parts of the world are exposed to our kind of engineering we do here.”

July 29, 2016 - In a brief ceremony at Ashesi’s Norton Motulsky Hall, the inaugural cohort of the Teach for Ghana fellowship program marked the end of their six-week training program. In all 33 fellows were selected out of a pool of over 1000 applicants for the fellowship program which will see the fellows working in schools in the Volta Region to teach, provide guidance, leadership and mentorship to junior high school students.

In 2015, Teach for Ghana became a Teach for All partner, joining a global network of organizations dedicated to expanding educational opportunities in the countries within which they operate. Around the globe, fellows of partner organizations spend two years in underprivileged communities providing guidance, mentorship and leadership in their roles as teachers. Beginning September 2016, Teach for Ghana’s pioneering cohort will also spend two years serving rural communities in Ghana's Volta Region teaching Math, Science, Information Technology and English to junior high school students. Ahead of this, fellows underwent a six-week training program to equip them with skills needed to get this done.

Photo Credit: Teach for Ghana

The training program was held at Ashesi where fellows were equipped with skills in pedagogy, classroom management, classroom culture, how to engage with children, and acting as leaders in the classroom. As part of the program, they visited junior high schools in Berekuso, Ketaase, Agymenti and Ayim where they worked with teachers and students. The workshop also hosted speakers including the Second Lady of Ghana, Her Excellence Matilda Amissah Arthur who spoke on the value of teaching in underserved environments.

“If each of us would give back to our communities, we would have a better Ghana,” she said to the fellows on her visit. “It takes a willing person to sign up for this. Being willing and ready to face the odds is a good sign for our country. Once the children you will teach are given the push and encouragement, you will unearth potentials which were not visible initially.”

In the closing ceremony for the workshop, Teach for Ghana CEO, Daniel Dotse, touched on providing quality education to all. “If we can work hard to provide great education to every child in this country, we can move this country forward in many ways,” he said. ”This country belongs to us. What we want to see of this country is what we need to make of this country - no one is going to do it for us. So if we can get off our feet, roll up our sleeves and get to work, the next couple of years could be different, and the younger ones will have a better future. See the fellowship as an opportunity to shine, an opportunity to give a chance to somebody else and finally an opportunity to rewrite the history of this country.”

In 2009, as part of an effort to boost Ghana’s image on the global landscape, the Ghanaian government launched the Brand Ghana initiative. In the years following, however, the initiative has yet to gain the needed widespread traction to be impactful.

In the recently launched book, Positioning Ghana, Challenges and Innovations, Anthony Ebow Spio, Head of Ashesi’s Business Administration Department co-authors a chapter, Branding Ghana: An imperative for country development that aims to provide direction on how we can more effectively build and implement the Branding Ghana initiative.

Edited by Professor Araba Apt, the book is a compilation of ideas from scholars, public officers and human development activists that focus on encouraging Ghanaians to contribute clearly thought-out and researched strategies and ideas to diverse sectors of Ghana’s development agenda. It also seeks to stimulate discussions about the strategies we should pursue to achieve development.

“The message we aimed to put across in the chapter is twofold,” Spio said. “The first is to make a case for nation branding to be considered as complementary to other initiatives and strategies that the government may adopt to achieve the development aspirations of the people or country. The second is to prescribe an approach for the Brand Ghana Office to consider in executing the country branding program.”

According to Spio who early on in his marketing career helped position some of Unilever Ghana’s products as staples in households, branding should come from within. “Branding Ghana is about mobilizing Ghanaians to create a unique, strong and favourable identity that makes Ghana an attractive place for people to invest or visit or make Ghanaian products and human capital the preferred choice both locally and internationally," he explained. "The creativity, participation and efforts of Ghanaians are critical to realizing the goals of any country branding assignment or exercise.”

At Ashesi, Anthony Spio’s students learn to create these unique, strong and favourable identities he touches on in their Startegic Branding and New Product Development classes. Within the chapter, he shares some of these tenets his students learn to apply to their work.

Students pitching a produce in Anthony Spio's New Product Development class

“Substantial knowledge from the branding class was incorporated in the approach we prescribed in the chapter,” he explained. “One of the ideas from the branding class we brought to bear in the book is promotions. We dubbed it conscious country promotion. Just like branding in commercial enterprises, conscious country promotion is about deliberately propagating Ghana’s identity, products and progress to all stakeholders especially its citizens. The rationale is to establish a desirable image and relationship with stakeholders that engender favourable attitude and behavour towards Ghana.”

While Spio believes positioning Ghana will require intentional and conscientious effort not only on the government’s part, but also from the people, he shares steps necessary for this position to be attained. “The first is getting to know your target audience, and then developing and articulating a brand strategy we want to project,” he shares. “Then we need to engage the people in what is called purposeful country culture. This is an initiative to get Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to be involved in the branding effort especially in terms of commitment and portraying appropriate behaviour. Finally, we need to consciously promote Ghana.”