Opinions of Sunday, 28 September 2003

Columnist: Awuah, Patrick

Ashesi University responds to messages of support from Ghanaians

Dear Ghanaweb Friends,
I am writing to thank you all for the overwhelming words of support and encouragement that you have sent to me since the Ashesi University story ran in the Seattle Times on September 14th 2003, (READ)

I am inspired by your sense of excitement about what Ashesi represents to Ghana, and I'm encouraged by those of you who have shared your dreams of returning home to contribute to Ghana's development. I am very heartened by your requests for information on how you can contribute to Ashesi's success.

I strongly believe that Ashesi University is an important development in the Ghanaian academe, and I am personally committed to doing everything I can to achieve Ashesi's mission. But as many of you have indicated in your messages to me, Ashesi could use your help. It is going to take a village -- a global village that includes Ghanaians living all over the world -- to nurture this institution to reach its full potential.

There are many ways that those of you in the Diaspora can help: First, Ashesi University, like any other institution, needs significant amounts of financial support. Anything that you can contribute to Ashesi will go a long way to help us accomplish our mission. Just think what we could achieve if every Ghanaian living abroad contributed $100 to this enterprise! And think how inspiring it would be to have so many Ghanaians listed as founding donors to this institution. Second, we strongly encourage Ghanaian academicians to contribute their expertise to Ashesi and other universities in Ghana. You can make this contribution as visiting lecturers, while maintaining your full time teaching positions at foreign institutions. Third, you can assist Ashesi by sharing our story with your friends and encouraging them too, to get involved.

Contributions to Ashesi University can be made payable to:
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Ashesi University Foundation
603 Stewart Street, Suite 819
Seattle, WA 98101
USA.
e-mail: foundation@ashesi.org

Ashesi University Foundation is a non-profit, publicly supported US corporation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Charitable contributions to the foundation are tax deductible.

Once again, thank you all very much for your very enthusiastic and supportive response to Ashesi University.

Warm regards,


Patrick Awuah, Founder and President
Ashesi University
www.ashesi.edu.gh