On Fridays, the Archer Cornfield Courtyard takes on the form of a mini-exhibition of cultural dances, indigenous cuisine and traditional wear from across Africa. At these exhibitions, known as Global Cafe, students set up stands to share information on their home countries and cultures to the rest of the community.

For the Office of Diversity and International Programs (ODIP) which helps run the Cafe, the exhibitions are an opportunity to foster diversity and inform the community about different cultures on campus.

“At the Global Cafe, similarities and differences shared by various countries are brought to bare,” explained Benardine Holdbrook Ghanson of the ODIP. “We are working to make people aware of the diversity we have on campus, while drawing their attention to the opportunities to grow a more inclusive society.”

While the Global Cafe provides the opportunity to celebrate the over 21 countries represented on campus, they also bring to fore Ashesi’s growing diversity. In the years ahead, Ashesi is looking to grow its non-Ghanaian African population to between 30–50%, to reflect a truly pan-African university.