Mechanical Engineering
Class of 2020
I am Alberta Danso. I am from Akropong in the Eastern Region of Ghana, but I live in Accra with my dear mother and brother. A university education has always been quietly revered in my home. My father had wanted to attend university after his secondary school education but was unable to because of financial issues and inadequate family support. Thus, coming to university is like a dream come true for my entire family and for me too. My elder brother, who was the first to attend university in my family set the trail ablaze; a trail which I fought hard to follow. Although he struggled through his education because of the inability to pay his fees on time, he persevered till the end. Thus, I believe I am quite privileged to have this scholarship that allows me the peace of mind to concentrate on my academics without worrying about how my family is going to come up with the fees.
Coming to university is like a dream come true for my entire family and for me too.
I first heard about Ashesi in my second year of junior high school. I was told by my friend (whose sister was enrolled at Ashesi) that it was a really good school. I saw several Ashesi advertisements on TV and I was so excited about Ashesi that I even told my mother about it. However, her reply crumbled my hopes of going to Ashesi. She simply told me she did not want to give me false hopes because she wouldn’t be able to afford the fees. Thus, I decided to forget about coming to Ashesi. However, after senior high, when I was contemplating how I was going to get enrolled at a university, I got to know about the Ashesi scholarship and decided to apply. It seemed that I was finally going to go to my dream school after all.
Initially, my family had decided that I stay at home until my brother completed his education because my mother could not afford to pay for us both. Thus, I can honestly say that my admission to Ashesi was one of the best things that ever happened to me and my family. I was super excited and so was my family. I am so glad to have been given this opportunity.
I am studying Mechanical Engineering at Ashesi and I must admit that it is quite challenging but also exciting. Whenever I send my mother videos about some of my engineering projects, she is excited to see that I am living my dreams. I am excited and passionate about engineering, the different career paths it leads to and the problem-solving skills that allow you to unleash your creativity in a guided way. Someday, I hope to own an engineering firm that produces affordable household electronic appliances and also inspires young people interested in engineering.
Whenever I send my mother videos about some of my engineering projects, she is excited to see that I am living my dreams. I am excited and passionate about engineering, the different career paths it leads to and the problem-solving skills that allow you to unleash your creativity in a guided way.
Last summer was quite exciting and eventful. I spent most of it in summer school and the half as an Ashesi Innovation Experience (AIX) engineering coach. It was quite insightful, especially when my team and I had to build a robotic arm and conveyor belt as our final projects. Indeed, school work took a toll on me, but I wasn’t even worried about that. I was more excited that our project had been successful and that it was able to execute the necessary functions. AIX was awesome; I learned even more about engineering than I had during normal school. It was quite intense but very satisfying to see my participant team getting more passionate about engineering. Aside from the many projects they did, I am glad most of them are considering pursuing engineering, even more so because they have developed a passion for it.
Finally, I would like to thank the donors for my scholarship. It has given me back my dreams and the chance to dream again. It has given me access to one of the best educational institutions worldwide and also relieved my mother from a lot of financial stress. I know that I cannot you thank you enough. “Medaase papaapa” – many thanks.
I know that I cannot you thank you enough. “Medaase papaapa” – many thanks.
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