Odeefoo Oteng-Korankye II; Nananom; Your Excellency, Ambassador Simone Geiger of Switzerland; Members of the Board; Distinguished Guest Speaker; Distinguished Guests; Family, Friends, Colleagues; and Dear Class of 2026, welcome to the 22nd commencement ceremony of Ashesi University.
Class of 2026, congratulations! Congratulations also to your family and friends who supported you and helped you reach this important milestone—Commencement Day.
Today, we celebrate each of your achievements and cheer you on as you begin the next chapter of your life’s journey.
Facing a Turbulent World with Possibility
As you step into a world currently facing turbulence—geopolitical conflict, economic disruptions, and the profound changes brought by artificial intelligence—I urge you to embrace a sense of possibility rather than dread. The education and habits of mind you have developed at Ashesi have prepared you to succeed in a rapidly changing world. You are equipped to make a difference.
You’ve got this!
Lessons from Past Challenges
I am reminded of a conversation with a European friend during Ghana’s recent economic challenges—soaring inflation, a rapidly depreciating currency, and partial government debt default. She asked how Ghanaians would respond and what I planned to do. My answer was, “This is a time for stoicism.” Her astonishment was clear; she could not believe I could remain calm during turmoil or suggest that all Ghanaians do the same. In many other countries, inflation approaching 50% would lead to riots.
My answer was not passive fatalism but a quiet determination to guide our organization safely through difficult times. At Ashesi, our management team, in consultation with the Board of Directors, adapted our business model to address currency and inflationary risks, kept daily operations running smoothly, and continued executing a long-term strategic plan developed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was not our first rodeo.
Over Ashesi’s two decades, we have navigated a few stressful periods. The Covid-19 pandemic was perhaps the most daunting. In that moment, our team focused on addressing the immediate emergency, then turned our attention to the future and the possibilities ahead.
After transitioning to remote work, the faculty and staff began developing a strategic plan for Ashesi’s third decade. We conducted essential research, consulted with our governing and advisory boards worldwide, and most importantly, worked together as a team. This future-focused effort helped us cope with the crisis and emerge from the pandemic committed to our mission.
Once vaccinated and able to return to in-person work, we began executing a new strategic plan—”Beyond the Horizon.” We raised funds, started building projects, and designed and submitted new academic programs for accreditation. We achieved a great deal during the global crisis because we believed in looking toward a brighter future.
Power of Determined Effort and Organizational Culture
I share these stories to highlight the power of meeting uncertainty with determined effort toward a better future. We worked as a team, leaning on and learning from each other, applying our diverse perspectives and intellectual abilities to solve problems, and imagining new possibilities.
These examples also illustrate the organizational culture you will recognize in your own actions over the coming years. My alma mater, Swarthmore College, instilled this in me. Founded by the Religious Society of Friends—the Quakers—their central aphorism is, “Let your life speak.” They believe our choices and actions, not just our words, should reflect our deepest values. That principle continues to guide me today.
Similarly, you will recognize Ashesi in your decisions over the next decades. Your conduct over the past four years has already demonstrated this. For example, although your class narrowly missed the two-thirds majority required to join the honor system in your first year, data from the Ashesi Judicial Committee and Dean’s office show your class recorded dramatically fewer violations of Ashesi’s code of conduct compared to previous classes—just a quarter of the rate of the preceding three classes. This is a remarkable example of letting your lives speak. You are an extraordinary group, Class of 2026.
Looking Forward: Making Your Mark and Contributing to Africa’s Future
We are confident you will make your mark in this tumultuous world and contribute to a flourishing Africa. As I noted in my New Year’s message to the Ashesi Community, with Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, sustainable progress will require industrialization and the creation of goods and services for local and global markets. Robust economic growth will benefit Africans and make the continent a more attractive partner and market in the global economy.
Achieving this will require the innovative spirit you have gained here and the determination to provide leadership that benefits everyone.
The Importance of Democracy and Good Governance
The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan is a stark reminder of why democratic government—and peaceful leadership transitions—are essential for societal flourishing. Political competition conducted through war instead of elections brings suffering to innocent civilians. And the retreat of democracy across the Sahel should serve as a warning that those of us who live in democracies should not take it for granted.
Let Your Life Speak
Class 2026, over the coming years, I hope you will count yourselves among those who help preserve constitutional order by promoting and delivering good governance and economic development to the citizens of Africa’s emerging democracies. We look forward to seeing the innovations that you bring to the African marketplace and the organizations you will eventually lead towards a brighter future.
Let your life speak as you look beyond the horizon, Class of 2026, and Godspeed in the years ahead. Congratulations!