“The environment was so serene, and I was amazed that there is an institution of this caliber in Ghana,” confessed Sarah, whose son Opanyin and daughter Shatti eventually enrolled. “From that moment we started working towards Ashesi, and helping our kids prepare both socially and academically.”

 

Having studied engineering in college and later transitioned to fashion design, Kwame found Ashesi’s multidisciplinary core and emphasis on hands-on teaching very compelling.

 

“In Shatti’s final year, I observed how she and some of her friends became entrepreneurs, turning their class project into an actual business,” he said. “And today following her graduation, she’s working as a Business Analyst in the oil industry. When I observe her and see how she’s spread her wings, I am proud to say this is the woman I wanted her to become.”

The Akuffos’ consider Shatti’s graduation from Ashesi as one of their their proudest moments yet as parents, and are now looking forward to seeing their son graduate also. “It is one the best feelings in the world, knowing your children have been in good hands and are well prepared for the next phase(s) of their lives,” shared Sarah.

“At home, our children help with others responsibilities,” Kwame shared. “However, we’ve learned to give Opanyin the necessary space to thrive as a student in this peculiar time. We’ve also learned to share the responsibility of making sure there are as few distractions as possible. He’s at home now, but he’s also in school. Seeing our boy study from home also gives us the experience of seeing Ashesi in action, and it is a good feeling.”

“I have seen a tremendous change in the lives of my children before and after they got into Ashesi,” he adds. “I see their maturity when we reason on the same level, and they take initiatives on their own. They were our children before, but now we call them friends.”