Ashesi University College

Ashesi University is a private, non-profit and non-sectarian university located in Berekuso, near Accra, Ghana.

The university's story begins with its founder, Patrick Awuah, a Ghanaian who spent over 15 years living and working in the United States. Inspired by the transformative power of his own education at Swarthmore College, Awuah returned to Ghana in 1997 with a vision to establish a new kind of university. His aim was to create an institution that would not only provide academic excellence but also foster values of ethical leadership, social responsibility, and community engagement among its students. The journey began with a feasibility study conducted by a team of MBA students from the University of California, Berkeley. This study, completed in 1998, laid the groundwork for the establishment of the university's foundation in 1999. The name of the university, transcribed in Akan as "Ahyɛase," means "beginning," reflecting the institution's aim to provide a fresh start for its students and to foster a new era of higher education in Africa. The name symbolized the university’s commitment to initiating a transformative educational experience that would shape the future of the continent.

The university received accreditation from the Ghanaian National Accreditation Board in 2001 and began its first academic year in 2002. Starting with a small cohort of students, the university quickly gained a reputation for its rigorous liberal arts curriculum, emphasis on ethical leadership, and commitment to community engagement. These principles became the cornerstone of its academic philosophy, ensuring that students were not only equipped with technical knowledge but also developed a strong sense of responsibility to their communities. In 2011, the university completed the construction of its new campus in Berekuso, providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for its growing student body. A significant milestone was reached in 2018 when the university received a presidential charter, granting it the authority to confer its own degrees, marking a new era of independence and autonomy. Today, the university continues to thrive, educating a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa and contributing to the continent's social and economic development. Its graduates are recognized for their ability to drive positive change and make a lasting impact on their communities and beyond.