Ashesi graduate Ayeyi Ohene-Adu ’23 will travel to Montreal, Canada, in March as a global finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University. She is among 36 international finalists chosen from thousands of candidates around the world. The selection process includes a university nomination and emphasizes holistic criteria such as character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity. Ayeyi is applying for master’s programmes in Public Policy and Educational Leadership at McGill.
The result of a landmark C$200-million gift (GHS 2.06 billion) in 2019, McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies. Each scholarship covers tuition and fees for an eligible degree, a living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms, summer funding options, mentorship, coaching, a leadership curriculum, access to the McCall MacBain House, and a relocation grant.
Ayeyi, a recent Ashesi Business Administration graduate, is a campus research assistant managing five projects. She also previously supported a health leadership program, and led coordination for Ashesi’s first undergraduate research conference.
Before Ashesi, she volunteered at an orphanage, where she built digital marketing skills that helped raise funds. At Ashesi, she chaired the Student Council’s Public Relations committee, organising a creative festival and launching a podcast. She also served as a career peer advisor, tutor, and editor for the student football association. A 2021 L’Oréal Brandstorm global semi-finalist, Ayeyi mentors students in Ashesi’s entrepreneurship class.
“I feel honoured and excited to be a finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarships,” said Ayeyi. “Ashesi trains entrepreneurial and transformative leaders and emphasizes leadership and community engagement. This education allowed me to create an impact within communities through the numerous social organizations I joined. I also honed my leadership skills through formal and non-formal leadership roles while balancing a rigorous academic schedule.”
“We need more leaders who act with integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage,” said Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “We congratulate these students who have already distinguished themselves as the top candidates nationally and globally, and we thank the universities that nominated them for this opportunity.”
During her visit to Canada, Ayeyi will participate in interviews with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector. A cohort of up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. If not selected for the cohort, Ayeyi will be eligible to receive C$20,000 for master’s studies at McGill.
“We are grateful to the more than 300 senior leaders who contribute their time to the decision-making process,” added Natasha Sawh, CEO of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “The interview process allows students to reflect on their experiences and motivations, and we hope each one comes away from the process with a better understanding of their capacity to lead and to strengthen communities.”
In 2024, Daniel Amoshie ’23 received a McCall MacBain scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at McGill.
