Ashesi University holds graduation ceremony

ASHESI University College has held a graduation ceremony for 55 of its students at the Burma Camp Hall in Accra to usher them into a new phase of life.
The graduation ceremony marked a turning point in the lives of the new graduands, and the end of classroom work and the beginning of working life.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ms Joyce Aryee who was the guest speaker said life outside school would be difficult but the greatest failure in life was to stop trying.
She said it was pathetic to realise that most students lose confidence during difficult times particularly when they found it difficult getting money to pay their fees for the semesters and said that nothing could be achieved without courage and determination. The job market is such that a new graduate has to struggle in order to secure a job, she added.
"My dear graduands, in my line of profession as a communicator, and generally in life, it pays to be on top, to be prepared, to be impactful, to be on time and also to work with a passion for excellence. These are some of the traits I developed in my days at the university. You will soon find out that the experiences you had in school and the lessons you have learned from your seemingly hardhearted lecturers will come in handy as you enter the corporate world", she said.
The President and Founder of the university, Mr Patrick Awuah said, the greatest human achievements were made by those who endeavoured in the face of enormous risks, those who had the curiousity to explore the unknown and those who were afraid to challenge the status quo.
“The Ashesi education has provided you an experience, in an out of the classroom, that has nurtured many of these qualities. The intensity of the academic programe here has pushed you to keep striving in the face of difficulty. The selection of courses and our teaching approach have helped to sharpen your sense of curiosity, your ability to synthesise complex information and your ability to craft novel solutions to new problems”.
"By doing community service, you discovered first hand, some of the most pressing problems confronting your society, as well as your ability to make meaningful contribution in addressing those problems. You learned the privilege of service”, he said.
He said there was no doubt there was risk involved with the institutions current path and added that there were greater potentials to create an institution whose very fabric nurtured the sort of enlightened leaders that Africa needed.
Mr Awuah encouraged the graduates to rise up in order to be counted among their fellows who have been able to attain higher goals in life.
The university, which began instruction in March 2002 with a pioneer class of 30 students, has quickly gained a reputation for innovation and quality education in Ghana.