June 2014: Over 1,000 family, friends, students, and alumni joined the Class of 2014 to celebrate their four years at Ashesi, and welcome them to the Ashesi alumni community.
In the usual Ashesi tradition, Chief Marshal Casper Annie led a procession of faculty, dignitaries, and graduating students, and welcomed friends, family, and community members to Ashesi. Provost, Dr. Marcia Grant opened the ceremony by reading a note on friendship and reminded the Class of 2014 about the importance of holding on to the friendships they had forged during their time at Ashesi.
Reading a tribute to the graduates, Jeffrey Odame-Koranteng ’14, shared stories about the Class of 2014, contributions they made while at Ashesi, and how they will use what they learned to change the world. “We speak with such conviction because it has been done before. We have changed the world- our world, Ashesi – in more ways than one. […] Today we sit here as men, women, and leaders. As the Black Stars of Ghana, we are ready to take on the world. We might falter, we might fall, we might complain, but rest assured we will not rest until we’ve made our mark.”
In his address to the Class of 2014, Patrick Awuah, Ashesi Founder and President, also shared the importance of acting boldly, “With the support of the Class of 2014, we finally decided to brave the unpredictable weather on campus and host our commencement ceremony here, come rain or shine. That was a brave decision.” He continued, “And you, Class of 2014, have done some remarkably bold things. […] You have dared to do a lot of interesting things, and in so doing, are making the world a better place. As you prepare to become Ashesi alumni, do not forget the satisfaction of daring to act and making your dreams real. As Ashesi’s 10th graduating class, I feel the same energy and hope for you, that I felt for our first graduating class,” he told graduates. “10 years from now, I will be learning about all the amazing things you are doing for Ghana and Africa; they will be as unique and remarkable as the stories I hear about Ashesi’s pioneer class of 2005.”
In a remarkable address to the graduating students, Guest Speaker Mr. Kweku Sakyi-Addo, reminded the class that despite all their hard work, more was still required of them, “Ghana needs people who will ask questions and challenge our norms. […] We need people like you with more than just a high IQ. We need you because you have a high EQ too – an ethical quotient.”
“Our country needs people who are not just out to make a living but are living to make a difference,” he told the class. “We need people who go to work, to work. Where work is not a noun, but a verb; a doing word, not a place!”
During the ceremony, Dr. Patrick Awuah also presented awards to three students – George S. Neequaye, Ruweidatu Salifu, and Francis D. Vogbe, for their exemplary commitment to representing Ashesi’s core values of “Scholarship, Leadership, and Citizenship.” This is the highest award a student can receive at Ashesi.
The Class of 2014 also presented a gift of GHs 2,400 to Ashesi’s President and Board Chairman, to support Ashesi’s new Engineering program.
Presenting the gift on behalf of the Class, Andrew Bimpong ’14 said, “Ashesi will remain our own, and we hope you accept this as a symbol of the support it will always receive from us, and the commitment we have made towards its growth.”
Congratulations Class of 2014!