Having lived, studied, and built her professional life as an entrepreneur across several industries in Liberia, Akouavi Tehoungue M’28 did not take her decision to leave for Ghana lightly.
Moving to another country meant stepping into unfamiliar territory.
“Would I be able to fit in? Would I be able to meet the demands of studying in another country?” she wondered.
But uncertainty was not new to Tehoungue. Years earlier, she had faced a different kind of challenge when she and her fiancé co-founded M&J Company Limited, a cement distribution business in Liberia.
As Operations Manager, she took on multiple responsibilities, learning largely through experience and self-study. But as the business grew, she began to recognize gaps in her technical knowledge. Within two years, the business collapsed, leaving the couple with significant debt.
The experience was difficult, but it also gave Tehoungue a clearer understanding of what she needed to become a stronger business leader. She wanted to understand not only how to manage a business day to day, but also the technical and strategic decisions that determine whether an enterprise can survive and grow.
That realization eventually led her to Ghana, where she enrolled in the Ashesi MBA program.
“I was looking for a competitive curriculum that would enable me to apply lessons immediately to my work, and I found that in the Ashesi MBA program,” she says. “The African Context also mattered because I viewed it as relatable to business realities on the Continent while benefiting from the University’s strong emphasis on ethical leadership.”
Already, Tehoungue is enjoying the experience of learning alongside professionals from diverse fields. As one of the program’s first international students, she sees herself as both a learner and a contributor, bringing perspectives shaped by years of working across different sectors in Liberia.
Viewing entrepreneurship as a crucial driver of Liberia’s economic development, she plans to mentor young entrepreneurs back home upon completing her studies. Her goal is to share the knowledge and insights gained from the Ashesi MBA program, helping others navigate challenges similar to the ones she once faced.
