Patrick Awuah believes that a liberal arts education is key to developing strong leaders in Africa. He shares stories and insights from his own experiences, highlighting how critical thinking and a sense of responsibility can transform a nation. His work with Ashesi University aims to cultivate ethical and entrepreneurial leaders who can tackle complex problems and drive positive change across the continent.
The Need for True Leadership
Patrick Awuah makes a strong case that Africa’s transformation depends on its leaders. He shares a story about an American nurse in Ghana who witnessed firsthand the consequences of poor leadership in a hospital. Twice, during surgeries, the power went out, and emergency generators failed. There were no flashlights or candles, leaving patients in the dark. In one instance, a patient cried out in pain as anesthesia wore off. Another time, nurses refused to give a dying patient oxygen they had available. These incidents, according to Awuah, show a severe lack of responsibility among those in charge.
He explains that the people in these positions—doctors, nurses, administrators—are part of the elite, those who receive education beyond secondary school. Their decisions directly affect the nation. Awuah emphasizes that he’s not just talking about political leaders, but all those who are meant to be guardians of society: lawyers, judges, police, engineers, and civil servants. He believes they must be trained properly.
Lessons Learned
Patrick Awuah recounts a personal experience from when he was 16 in Ghana, shortly after a military coup. Soldiers were everywhere. One day, at the airport, he was stopped by two soldiers with AK-47s and forced to run up and down an embankment because he had walked on a path considered "out of bounds," even though there was no sign. He tried to argue, but then a Ghana Airways pilot, also caught in the same situation, intervened. The pilot spoke to the soldiers’ boss, and everyone was released.
This experience taught Awuah several things:
- Leadership matters: The soldiers were just following orders.
- Courage: It was important not to be intimidated by the guns.
- Perspective: Thinking about what others might think can sometimes help.
Years later, Awuah went to Swarthmore College in the United States. Unlike his education in Ghana, where memorization was key, Swarthmore encouraged critical thinking, analysis, and concern for social issues. He realized that the managers of Ghana’s economy were making very bad decisions, leading to economic problems. This reinforced his belief that leadership truly matters.
The Microsoft Experience and a New Purpose
After college, Awuah worked at Microsoft. He was part of a team that designed new software. This experience showed him the power of being able to solve complex problems and create solutions. He realized that his time at Swarthmore had given him the ability to confront problems and design solutions, which he found very empowering.
While at Microsoft, the company’s annual revenue grew larger than Ghana’s GDP. Awuah attributes Microsoft’s success to its hardworking, creative, and empowered people, as well as external factors like free markets, the rule of law, and good infrastructure. These systems were run by leaders who were trained to do their jobs.
Becoming a parent made Awuah think more about Africa’s future. He saw the continent facing many problems, like anarchy in Somalia and genocide in Rwanda. He felt a strong need to return and help. He came back to Ghana and talked to many people, identifying three main issues:
Key Takeaways
- Corruption
- Weak institutions
- Poor leadership
These problems seemed overwhelming, but Awuah asked a crucial question: Where do these leaders come from? He looked at Ghana’s education system and found that it focused on rote learning, with little emphasis on ethics. Graduates often had a sense of entitlement rather than responsibility. He decided to address this problem, believing that every society needs to be intentional about how it trains its leaders.
Ashesi University: Training New Leaders
Awuah’s goal is to bring the kind of liberal arts education he experienced at Swarthmore to Africa. He believes that a liberal arts college in every African country would make a huge difference. This led him to establish Ashesi University, which aims to train a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. The university focuses on developing leaders with strong integrity who can tackle complex problems, ask the right questions, and find workable solutions.
He admits that it sometimes feels like "Mission: Impossible," but he believes in the students’ intelligence. By involving them in their education, discussing real-world issues, and giving them practical skills, he believes great things can happen.
One student’s email, simply stating, "I am thinking now. Thank you," deeply moved Awuah. It showed him the power of empowering individuals to think critically.
Ashesi University also challenges students to create their own honor code. This process encourages them to think about what a good society looks like and how to achieve excellence. Awuah is excited that every student at Ashesi completes community service before graduating, which helps them understand that leadership is about serving humanity.
Last year, the student body elected a woman as the head of Student Government, a first for any university in Ghana. She won with 75 percent of the vote, showing a positive shift in campus culture and a hopeful sign for the future.
Ashesi graduates are highly sought after by companies in West Africa. Employers are impressed by their work ethic, passion, persistence, and ability to handle ambiguity and solve new problems. These successes give Awuah hope, especially after times when the task felt impossible.
Patrick Awuah believes that Africa’s current and future leaders have a unique chance to drive a major renaissance on the continent. With the spread of democracy and free markets, he sees an opportunity to build a great society within one generation. He is convinced that the way leaders are trained will make all the difference.
