Reliving Commencement 2025
In a vibrant weekend of celebration, joy and accomplishment, Ashesi celebrated commencement ceremony for the twenty-first undergraduate class and our pioneer class of graduate students. The classes gathered with family members, friends, and guests to mark the end of their time as students. Watch the recap and read more about speeches and awards during the day.
The ceremony was one of joy and encouragement, heartfelt reflection, and reminders to the classes to have unwavering hope. In their remarks, the day’s speakers honored the perseverance and growth of the graduating classes, celebrating not just their academic achievement but the strength forged through their challenges, the depth of friendships built over time, and hopes for meaningful impact beyond campus.
In a heartfelt and humorous address, Maame Gyanwaa Otchere Duah reflects on the Ashesi Class of 2025’s learning journey through doubt, struggle, and growth.
In his address, graduate class of 2024 Speaker, Tim Asare M’24, honored the journey of Ashesi’s pioneer graduate class while calling them to bold, ethical action.
As Guest Speaker, Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy spoke to graduands about being unafraid to begin, and how this philosophy had shaped her career.
Ashesi President, Patrick Awuah, urged graduands to pursue lives guided by purpose beyond themselves; emphasizing that true leadership inspires collective action.
In her opening reading Provost Angela Owusu Ansah read prayerful verses from the Bible, combining Jeremiah, Romans, and Psalms, affirming God’s peace, presence, and protection.
The President’s Award for Scholarship, Leadership, and Citizenship at Ashesi University is the most significant award a student can receive upon graduation. It is presented to those who have not only excelled academically but have also demonstrated a deep commitment to the values and mission of Ashesi.
During this year’s Commencement Ceremony, Reeta Roy, CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, was named the inaugural recipient of the Ashesi University Medal. The award was presented to Roy for her extraordinary contributions to education, public health, and economic empowerment. It was also in celebration of her leadership and work, which have exemplified ethical action, courageous leadership, and a profound belief in Africa’s potential.
The Ashesi medal is awarded to those who significantly demonstrate Ashesi’s values of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship in the world, and who have acted in service of our mission and work in Africa through their scholarship, philanthropy, or service. The medal is the University’s highest award, conferred by the Board of Directors.
Photos from Commencement Day 2025
In Their Words: The Ashesi Advantage
From adjusting to campus life to discovering new strengths through global learning opportunities, members of the Class of 2025 share stories about the Ashesi experience, the opportunities that it presented to them, and the growth that came with the journey.
In Their Words: When Service Meets Learning
At Ashesi, service learning goes beyond volunteering; it’s a hands-on approach to education where students apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. From working with refugee communities to empowering rural businesses, students learn by doing while making a difference. Members of Class of 2025 share some of their examples.
In Their Words: Without My Scholarship, I Would Not be Here
Half of Ashesi’s Class of 2025 received scholarships, and about a third paid zero in tuition fees. Members of the Class reflect on why scholarships remain important to Ashesi’s story and how the impact is both immediate and enduring, reaching far beyond campus.
The Class of 2025’s academic work took centre stage at a June 5th ceremony held to honor strong research, innovation, and learning. Fourteen individual and team senior-year research projects received recognition this year, marking a night dedicated to knowledge contribution.
Watch: A Life-Saving Prenatal Monitoring System
Computer Science graduate Juliann Mc-Addy ’25 created MamaMonitor, a real-time prenatal monitoring system aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality.
Watch: A Low-Cost, Interactive Braille Device
Electrical engineering student Erica Amoa Atta ’25 developed a low-cost, interactive braille device that helps visually impaired children in Ghana learn the alphabet through tactile and audio feedback.
Watch: Smart Health Diagnostics at Home
Bridget Kwofie ’25 and Ben Charles Abdul ’25 developed a low-cost smart urine analyzer to improve access to preventive healthcare in Ghana.
Watch: A Wearable Device to Predict Epileptic Seizures
Computer Engineering student Valerie Maame Abena Ackon ’25 developed a wearable EEG device that predicts epileptic seizures, offering early warnings to enhance safety and independence for those affected.
Watch: Fighting Deepfakes with Real-Time Detection
Anne Achieng Alwala ’25 developed TruthScope, a browser extension that detects deepfake videos in real time on social media, helping users combat misinformation.
Watch: An AI-Driven Tool for Detecting Lung Disease
Evans Kumi ’25 and Tendai Machaya ’25 developed a low-cost device and telemedicine platform to detect Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease through breath analysis.
In celebration of their Commencement, the graduands also collectively raised and made a gift of GHs25,000 to Ashesi in support of scholarships.
Marking their graduation decennial, the Class of 2015 also welcomed our newest graduates to the alumni community. Portia Honu ’15, speaking on behalf of the Class of 2015, congratulated the graduands and reminded them that Ashesi had prepared them well. The Class of 2015 also raised GHs103,000 in direct contributions, encouraging the others to support Ashesi’s work.
Dear Graduates...
Previous
Next