“Through my experience at Ashesi, I learned not to settle for a ‘no’. I rather say, what are the options or alternatives? Why no? What if? We reason through decisions and challenge them so we make them better.”
Background and Family
I am Benedicta Amo Bempah, a rising senior pursuing Management Information Systems at Ashesi. Born into a big family. I live at Afienya, off Akosombo road, Tema in Ghana.
Greatest thing you’ve learned at Ashesi
Orientation week blew my mind. They brought in onions to the class and asked to distinguish between them. None of them stood out, nothing unique about them just different types. After another batch was released with much décor and everyone chose that one because it stood out. Our current Dean, Ruth Kwakwa, compelled my thinking on the essence of being unique and standing out wherever you find yourself. The honor code discussion by Patrick Awuah blew my mind on the need to reject corrupt ways. He said, will you let a friend who cheated in class throughout to get as treat your sick mom? Definitely no, because this person has no knowledge in the field. My lecturer, Esi Ansah, hit the nail on the head when she gave a class lecture on the hummingbird in my last leadership class. She more than prepared me to make massive change in the world. She told us the story of the hummingbird and she told us to do the very best that we can as we cant individually change the world but the little quality and excellent inputs are what will change the world.
Personally, one thing I have learned and taken seriously through out my Ashesi education, is to be an educated student/citizen rather than just excel in academics as that is just facet of education. This is because if one is truly educated, they won’t encourage corruption, won’t have some of its citizens drink muddy water whilst they drink clean, won’t have some in school and others not – they will strive to improve the lives of all around them wherever they find themselves and that’s what I do.
Most challenging part of being an Ashesi Student
I wont say it’s challenging, rather I find it intriguing. Everything is fascinating – the style of education, sessions with lectures, campus engagements, opportunities available – all are exciting. I would say though that the rigid curriculum is annoying because you are slightly stuck in the box from your first to the fourth. You can’t really do much but then again Ashesi is still new and small but that’s something I look forward to – a more flexible curriculum from the first to fourth year.
Activities/clubs involved in on campus
I do everything. I don’t think I let any opportunity swing by. Even when I don’t have interest in them, gaining exposure is what matters to me. I am all over the campus supporting, participating, initiating, reflecting, listening and designing. A couple of activities I can think of now are: Off-Campus Welfare Chairperson, Ashesi Freshmen Mentor, Spring Macalester/Ashesi Exchange student, Design tutor, Founder of Smile Hub club, Ashesi Inter-University Debate Representative, Career Peer Advisor, Ashesi Innovation Experience (AIX) facilitator, Ashesi- Babson Student Ambassador, Ashesi International Open House Representative, Team leader for most class projects, Volunteer of MasterCard Foundation Community Service Day, Representative of Ashesi at the 2014 Yale Pre-MBA Global Leadership Program to many others. I have won a number of awards as well as been nominated for several awards as a result of my diverse engagement with the Ashesi community and beyond. I love doing this and I will continue to do this.
Proudest accomplishment
My offer as a pioneer intern for the Ashesi University Foundation is one of my proudest accomplishments in Ashesi. Having been selected to engage in this amazing experience to share my experience with donors and other Ashesi stakeholders, work in an international setting with a renowned non-profit like Ashesi University Foundation, manage and organize activities to network and support administrative works is incredible! The very most thing I love is, sharing my Ashesi values and experience with people who made my education possible and I am doing it and it is very fulfilling.
Most important work that Ashesi does
I believe there are three major areas that act as the most important work Ashesi does:
1. Instilling the values of being an ethical leader by promoting the honor code and its value for leadership seminar courses by helping students fully understand the concepts of ethics and the need to be ethical.
2. Molding students to have international values and be abreast with information and experiences around the world is what the Office of Diversity and International Programs (ODIP) do a great job with. It has diverse number of activities for students to partake in, in order to improve themselves as well as be excellent representatives where ever they find themselves
3. The ability to prep students well enough to be able to manage both international and domestic career settings is one of the most important works Ashesi does. The Career Services Department constantly organizes activities to ensure the average Ashesi student is well equipped to represent themselves.These are the incredible things that I believe are the most important works Ashesi does because these areas are the forefronts that Ashesi students depict: their sense of scholarship, citizenship and leadership.
Describe Ashesi to others
An idea hub that encourages critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, multiculturalism, entrepreneurship and ethical leadership. If you are looking for a place that would steer your level of thinking beyond imagination, Ashesi is the place for you. If you are looking for new beginnings and great attention, Ashesi is the right place. Here, faculty members care about your well being and give you the very best and mostly, the President is always with you and has open doors. Walk in anytime and say Patrick, I’ve got a problem or I have an idea – its very simple.
Future plans
I have tons of things on my mind and a number that I have planned out but generally I intend to join the university to support, working alongside with the Foundation to promote the great values of Ashesi. Right after graduation, I want to take some adventures – do lots of traveling and take my Master’s program afterwards. Another area I intend to look at is to conduct a research study to examine the graduates of Ashesi and how they are maintaining the values of Ashesi and working towards improving the African continent. The other area is to also get back to my high school and try to incorporate the values of ethical leadership in the school system so it helps Ashesi get a better foundation. Lastly, I focus on establishing my foundation very well to support the young adults of Ghana.