Our History
Since our founding in 2002, Ashesi has established a reputation as a leader in undergraduate education in Africa, with an educational experience that fosters ethical leadership, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to solve complex problems.
Africa’s future is being shaped in its universities, where only 10% of sub-Saharan African youth are enrolled. These students are destined to become the continent’s next leaders yet face educational systems plagued by overcrowding, underfunding, and a lack of practical training. Academic dishonesty is too common. How can Africa’s future leaders possibly learn to think and behave differently if we don’t educate them in a different way?
If we want different results, we must do something different. Ashesi was established in 2002 as an example of how innovation can bring out different and better outcomes. Starting with just 30 students, the University has grown significantly, well on its way to an enrolment of 2000. It challenges the norm with a multidisciplinary core curriculum, a student-led honour code, and a focus on ethical leadership. Ashesi’s model has also proven successful, with nearly all of its graduates quickly finding employment and a majority doing so in Africa. The University’s impact now extends beyond its graduates, influencing the broader educational landscape in Africa.
Here’s our journey.
Jump To:
A Community of Trust Takes Shape
A New Era in Berekuso
Gaining a Charter, and Independence
![](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/history-4.webp)
“If there is anything you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”
These words, attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, are the inspiration behind the university’s name, Ashesi, which means “beginning” in Fante (a Ghanaian language).
1997
1998
1999
Ashesi opens its campus in rented facilities to first class of thirty students.
2002
![](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/121615125_10224365068371427_1004927023405568493_n.webp)
2005
![Photo: Ashesi's first commencement ceremony](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ashesi_Labone_b.webp)
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Ashesi moves to its permanent campus in Berekuso
2011
2012
2013
Ashesi's work and impact grows, as does recognition
2015
That same year, Ashesi President, Patrick Awuah, is named one of World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine and also receives a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship in recognition of Ashesi's impact.
2016
![Ashesi President receives 2017 WISE Prize.](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ashesi_WISEAward_newbanner-1024x320.webp)
2017
![](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/images/news_events/news/2019/June/EducationCollab2019/Ashesi_EducationColab2019_inline6.jpg)
The Education Collaborative at Ashesi also launches in 2017 to serve as a platform for African universities to collaborate and work together, with a goal of strengthening student learning and outcomes, and sustainable access to quality education on the continent.
Ashesi receives Presidential Charter
2018
2019
![preview](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/images/news_events/news/2019/August/U7_Alliance/Ashesi_U7AllianceSummit_Paris2019_banner.jpg)
Also, in 2019, Ashesi Venture Incubator launches in partnership with MIT D-Lab and supported by USAID.
Twelve alumni are selected as inaugural fellows for the Incubator. The initiative will seek to provide funding, training, and mentorship for young entrepreneurs at Ashesi. The incubator will eventually be consolidated with other entrepreneurship programmes into the Centre for Entrepreneurship.
![](https://www.ashesi.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ashesi_ETH_Zurich-e1720641901776.webp)
2020
![Ashesi ranks first in Ghana in THE Impact Rankings](https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/aaaxs.png)