On Sunday September 28, Ashesi students, alumni and some members of staff volunteered at the second annual Accra International Marathon. Runners participating in the full marathon, which covered a total distance of 42kilometers, ran from the Ghanaman Sports Centre to La Pleasure Beach. In addition a half marathon walk started near the Valco roundabout in Tema and ended at the La Pleasure Beach.
The Accra International Marathon (AIM) is designed to support the efforts of the Longevity Project, a local NGO whose mission is to increase the life expectancy and quality of life of Ghanaians. See www.longevityghana.com. The marathon was organized to highlight the Longevity Project’s goal to increase public awareness of the link between health and life style choices.
Participants included people from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. Runners included children as young as nine and adults up to sixty-seven.
Team Ashesi helped with the transportation of runners and walkers to the starting points and distributed water, electrolyte drinks and energy gels to participants. After the race was finished Ashesi students helped clean up after the runners and walkers. According to Adwoa Tutu, Class of 2010, “I find this a fun way to spend a Sunday morning. I consider service a great way to improve the lives of others and I’m happy to be here.”
Community Service is one of the key components of Ashesi’s mission. Students are encouraged to give something back to their communities and Ashesi all students participate in volunteer projects before graduations. For example, students have worked to improve child literacy, started projects to supply clean drinking water to poor urban communities, raised fund for people living with HIV/AIDS, and taught business courses to Liberian refugees.