The Ashesi student community this week prepares to listen to its student government presidential nominees engaging each other in debates about the future of the Ashesi Student Counci (ASC). This year, three candidates will get up in front of the Ashesi community to present their ideas and ideals for the council - Jessica Boifio ’14, George Neequaye ’14 and Michael Quansah ’14.
Elections for the 2012/2013 academic year will be held on Wednesday, 5th December 2012, and the Presidential Debate happens just a day before.
The Presidential Debate at Ashesi is organised to allow nominees a platform to share their ideas with the entire Ashesi community, and answer questions from the Ashesi electorate. Students have pointed out that this year’s Presidential race is one of the most competitive yet at Ashesi, and most of them are unable to confidently say which candidate stands the best chance of winning the election.
Here is a brief breakdown of the three candidates competing for the ASC Presidency this year.
You Matter: George Neequaye ’14 and Richard Bempong ‘14
George S.N. Neequaye ’14, is a Computer Science major, and believes the only way a leader can better add to people’s lives, is by being empathetic. George’s “You Matter” campaign revolves heavily around this message. His running mate, Richard B. Bempong ‘14, is a Management Information Systems major, who says his motivation comes from accomplishing useful things that positively contribute to his society.
The team’s overall plan is to “develop systems and programmes that will create a truly original and strong Ashesi culture, and that will enhance the Ashesi Student Experience by creating a more harmonized community.” Their manifesto focuses on increasing student diversity programmes at Ashesi, reinforcing health and wellbeing efforts, working with clubs and societies to improve extracurricular activity and building stronger academic support systems for students.
It’s about time: Jessica Boifio ’14 and Henry Olletey ‘14
Jessica Boifio ’14 is a Business Administration major, and is the only woman competing for the ASC presidency this year. In 2007, Ashesi elected a woman to be ASC president, a first in Ghana’s student government history, and Jessica says “it’s about time” Ashesi elected another woman to manage student government. Jessica runs for the Presidency with Henry Olletey ’14, a Computer Science major.
The team believes that the Ashesi student community needs to find ‘balance’ between its social and academic activities. Jessica and Henry’s ASC plans to focus strongly on improving academic excellence, while building sports and entertainment programmes at Ashesi. “We understand that good leadership empowers people to be the best they can be,’ says Jessica. “A holistic college experience sits on balance. It is good to have a great social life, or excel in the classroom, but it is best to have both.”
Let ME serve you: Michael Quansah ’14 and Jennifer Senoo ‘14
Micheal Quansah ’14, a Computer Science major, and his running mate Jennifer Emefa Senoo ’14, a Business Administration major, believe that the ASC Presidency, as with all leadership roles, is “truly a call to service.” The team refers to itself as ‘ME’ (derived from the initials of ‘Michael’ and ‘Emefa’), and runs on the slogan ‘Let ME serve you.’
The two candidates have both served in previous student government administrations, and explain that they have “identified the rough edges that need to be smoothened to help further Ashesi’s vision of delivering world class education, and ensure that it is faithful to its mission of training ethical entrepreneurial leaders in Africa.”
Michael and Emefa plan to focus on “developing a stronger sense of community and school spirit” and improving some key components of Ashesi’s infrastructure, including internet and learning resource reliability and availability, resources for student wellbeing and safety on campus, and current sports facilities at Ashesi.
The Judicial and Electoral Council (JEC) Presidency
Only one candidate, Francis Delali Vogbe ’14, is standing for President of the Judicial and Electoral Council, with Edwina Reynolds ’15 and Daniel Ankomah ’14 competing for the Vice-President slot.
Francis believes that “organisation of student government, the trustworthiness of processes, and the growth of the Ashesi Honour Code” are things that will strengthen the foundation on which generations of Ashesi students will continue to thrive, and under his leadership the JEC, will work towards these objectives.