One would not be far from right to describe Johanna Koua ’26 as a seamless blend of sports and music. Growing up in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the songs sung by the choir at Notre Dame de l ‘Incarnation Catholic Church were something nine-year-old Johanna always looked forward to every Sunday. She admired the singers deeply and often imagined herself in their place one day.
When the church announced plans to form a children’s choir, Koua saw her chance. “Now, I could also sing and move my body rhythmically like the choristers,” she recalled thinking. With her mother’s encouragement, she signed up and committed herself fully, never missing rehearsals. Within weeks, her dedication and potential caught the attention of the music director who took a personal interest in nurturing her talent.
“Vocal warm-ups, curated articulation exercises, using my head voice, and activities to build my confidence were all part of my personalized coaching sessions,” Koua shared. A few months later, she performed her first solo at church, shaping her confidence. “For the first time, people could associate the voice with the face,” she said. “It was such a good feeling.”
In high school, she pursued music courses and participated in musical competitions, earning third place in one. This opened the door to a new phase of performing for much wider audiences.
At Ashesi University, Ashesi Voices and the Ashesi Chorale have been instrumental in her musical journey. She considers both a “blessing” to her growth. “Through the music groups, I got the chance to perform at Christmas on the Hill for the first time,” she said. These groups also gave her opportunities to perform outside of campus, which she cherished. Memorable among them is the 30th anniversary of Kwibuka at the Accra Marriot Hotel.
Balancing academics with her other commitments was not always easy. When she thought of stepping back from music to focus on academics, the guidance and support of Dr. George François, the music director and her mentor, kept her grounded.
Just as with music, Koua has long nurtured a passion for sports. In high school, she explored football, basketball, tennis, and swimming; initially as part of school requirements for first- and second-year students, but eventually out of genuine interest. At Ashesi, she deepened this passion through active participation in campus sports. She served as captain of the Red Army team, where she played a key role in encouraging female students to take up football
Noticing limited opportunities for female basketball players, she contributed to developing the women’s basketball league at Ashesi. Additionally, she served as captain of the Celestial Storm basketball team. “Celestial Storm was a new team, and many members were beginners in basketball,” Koua explained. “I had to figure out how to help them learn without being too hard on them. That taught me patience.”
“Balancing sports, music, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration demanded discipline. For Koua, measurable improvements such as better statistics on the pitch, including points and rebounds, are proof of her growth. Nearing the end of her time at Ashesi, she hopes for greater female participation in sports in the coming years.
Koua highlights the university’s inclusive and diverse community as a key part of her experience. “As an international student, I was initially scared I wouldn’t be able to make friends,” she admitted. “But the community helped me settle in comfortably.” Inspired by this, she hopes to create similar spaces of belonging wherever she goes.
