Keep Dreaming: Lessons from Afia Asamoah and Ashesi’s Intellect Building Program (IBP)
At Ashesi, we believe education extends far beyond the classroom. The Intellect Building Program (IBP) was created with that belief at its core to help students cultivate the curiosity, confidence, and clarity they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Grounded in the principles of the Growth Mindset, a theory developed by psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, IBP encourages students to stay open, persistent, and reflective as they build the habits that support lifelong learning. Over the past two years, the program has hosted 11 sessions, each led by accomplished professionals from Ashesi’s global network, who join students for hour-long conversations that explore their life journeys, challenges, and lessons learned.
These sessions are intentionally unscripted, allowing students the freedom to engage authentically and discover new perspectives. This approach embraces the idea that “you don’t know what you don’t know” until you listen to someone with deeper lived experience.
The impact is clear. Students gain wisdom that extends beyond the curriculum, shaping how they see themselves and make decisions.
Since its launch, the program’s distinguished speakers continue to inspire students to grow, adapt, and lead with integrity.
Learning Through Real-Life Journeys: A Session with Afia Asamoah
In one of the many enriching IBP conversations to date, students met Afia Asamoah, a Harvard-trained lawyer and co-founder of Waymark, a health technology company improving care for underserved communities in the U.S. Previously, she served as Head of Legal for Google Health, where she helped shape Google’s expansion into healthcare innovation.
In her conversation with students, Afia reflected on her Ghanaian roots and an 18-year career spanning government, law, and technology. She encouraged students to keep dreaming, imagining, and reinventing, and to approach life as a continuous journey of learning.
Her story explored three powerful ideas that have guided her path: keeping your plans flexible, taking calculated risks, and mastering the art of reinvention.
Keep your plans flexible.
Afia shared how she started out wanting to become a doctor, only to realize during an internship in Ghana that her calling lay elsewhere. That turning point, she said, taught her to pursue impact and joy in the work itself, not rigid titles.
“Life is a journey,” she reflected. “You should always be thinking about ways to reimagine and reinvent yourself. The goal is to find work that brings both impact and joy.”
Take calculated risks.
She recounted the story of being recruited to Google while nine months pregnant and saying yes to a conversation that ultimately reshaped her career.
“Sometimes the best things in life come when you have a little faith and take a calculated risk,” she noted. “Even when it’s not part of your plan, say yes to the conversation. You never know where it might lead.”
Master the art of reinvention.
From government to tech entrepreneurship, Afia’s career reflects constant evolution. She urged students to remain curious, share their perspectives boldly, and advocate for themselves.
“Don’t assume people know what you’re capable of,” she advised. “You have to tell your story, dare to dream, and be willing to redefine yourself when the time comes.”
Her closing message echoed the very heart of IBP:
“There isn’t one way to be impactful in the world. Chart your own path. You are uniquely designed to do amazing things. Keep dreaming.”
Building Bridges, Inspiring Futures
Each IBP session reminds us of the power of connection. How one conversation can expand a student’s worldview and set them on a path toward bold, thoughtful leadership. The program continues to grow, with professionals from diverse industries generously sharing their time, experiences, and wisdom with Ashesi students.
Join the Conversation
If you are part of Ashesi’s extended community, an alumnus, partner, or professional eager to inspire the next generation, we invite you to become an IBP speaker.
Contact Erika Amoako-Agyei, Director for Strategic Partnership, via eagyei@ashesi.org or researchstudio@ashesi.edu.gh to learn more or express your interest.