Moving from Switzerland to Ghana to begin university was a bold step for Christine Carol Banson ’29. But for her, the decision to enroll in Ashesi’s Law with Public Policy program was not just about changing countries. It was about returning to a dream she had carried for years. “Law was what I wanted to do initially,” she says.  

She had begun her studies in Switzerland, pursuing social work, but soon felt drawn back to the field that had always fascinated her. When an uncle told her about Ashesi, she began researching the program and immediately felt a connection. The program also appealed to her because it bridged two of her strongest interests. With a background in social work, Banson wanted an education that combined legal knowledge with a human-centered approach. “I read about it and felt it was more complete,” she explains. “It combines legal and social aspects. It’s a good mixture.” 

Her social work experience gave her firsthand insight into the importance of inclusion. During a required year-long internship in Switzerland, she worked at a school for children with autism. For her final project, she supported a 12-year-old boy over eight sessions, creating a pictorial recipe to help him learn how to bake cookies independently. 

Now at Ashesi, she hopes to bring that same commitment to the field of law. Banson is especially interested in legal accessibility and how laws and rights can be made easier to understand for everyone, including people with disabilities. She is inspired by the presence of deaf students in her class and by opportunities to collaborate across different disciplines. 

“I realized I have a heart for working with people with disabilities,”  Banson shared. “I’m thinking of how I can combine my social work background with law.” 

Her early experiences at Ashesi have already affirmed that she made the right choice. She was particularly impressed by how thoughtful the orientation activities were, especially a session on community safeguarding. As an international student, Banson also valued the chance to bond with her cohort during orientation. Naturally reserved, she has found the Ashesi community warm and welcoming, making it easier to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. 

Before arriving on campus, she asked her mother what the word “Ashesi” means. When she learned that it means “the beginning,” it felt perfectly fitting.