Dr. Maame Mensah-Bonsu, the Head of Law, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Ashesi University, has highlighted the importance of designing Ghana’s educational curriculum to cultivate credible, capable leaders prepared to tackle complex societal challenges.
Dr Mensah-Bonsu commended Ashesi University for its intentional inclusion of leadership education within its curriculum.
She described how the university is committed to moulding students who will emerge as responsible and capable leaders, equipped with the skills necessary to make sound decisions and take accountability for their choices.
Dr. Mensah-Bonsu elaborated on the approach Ashesi University takes in teaching students to become thoughtful decision-makers.
She emphasised that education at Ashesi does not focus on prescribing the right decisions for students, as the correct choice in one context may not be the right choice in another. Rather, the university prioritises teaching students how to approach decision-making thoughtfully, how to consider the impact of their actions, and how to be accountable for the outcomes of those actions.
“We are very intentional about what kind of student we want to have and what kind of leader we want to see. And there is a direct line between the kind of student you create and the kind of leader you get. In the same way that if you raise your kids to play football, they are not going to win a baseball tournament. If you don’t raise leaders, you are not going to get leaders.
“As a person, what are the things you need to do, to know, to be aware of, to put yourself in a position where you are making choices that you can be responsible for and proud of? We are not actually setting out to teach you and say these are the correct decisions, because what are the correct decisions in 2024 may be the wrong decisions for 2092.
“What we are teaching you is how do you make those decisions, and how do you take responsibility for the outcomes of those decisions?”
