On Fridays, the Archer Cornfield Courtyard takes on the form of a mini-exhibition of cultural dances, indigenous cuisine and traditional wear from across Africa. At these exhibitions, known as Global Cafe, students set up stands to share information on their home countries and cultures to the rest of the community.
For the Office of Diversity and International Programs (ODIP) which helps run the cafes, the exhibitions are an opportunity to foster diversity and inform the community about different cultures on campus.
“At the Global Cafe, similarities and differences shared by various countries are brought to bare,” explained Benardine Holdbrook Ghanson of the ODIP. “We are working to make people aware of the diversity we have on campus, while drawing their attention to the opportunities to grow a more inclusive society.”
While the Global Cafe provides the opportunity to celebrate the over 21 countries represented on campus, it also bring to fore Ashesi’s growing diversity. In the years ahead, Ashesi is looking to grow its non-Ghanaian African population to between 30 – 50%, to reflect a truly pan-African university.
For the students, being exposed to different cultures and nationalities both informs and exposes them to the richness of various African nations.
“It’s an opportunity to experience a different country without having to travel there,” said final year student Esther Akoto ’17. “I remember the Liberian Cafe sometime back, I had a great time sampling all their dishes, while appreciating the subtle differences we have between us. It’s enlightening learning about other people’s history, getting to see their clothing and trying out their food.”
Essentially, the global cafes help nurture a community that embraces and celebrates differing identities. While creating a thoroughly diverse campus continues to be a goal Ashesi aspires to, the Global Cafe help inform, educate and also provide members of the community with a good sense of the differences and similarities therein.
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