A research report released by Goldman Sachs entitled “Women Hold Up Half the Sky” has revealed that educating women is critical to the success of emerging economies. Acting upon the report’s recommendations, Goldman Sachs has launched the 10,000 Women initiative, for which three female Ashesi students have been selected.

The lucky students are Ms. Monica Maria Beecham, Ms. Christina Doe and Ms. Nana Achiaa Mansah Awuah-Frimpong, all final year Business Administration students. According to Nana Achiah Awuah-Frimpong, “this opportunity is the very challenge I’ve been looking for. I am pretty excited!”

The Ashesi students were selected from a large applicant pool, after completing an application and interview process. Marianne Potterton of Opportunity International, who assisted in the selection process in Ghana stated, “I am thrilled your students did so well in the process! I look forward to more of the same from Ashesi women in the next round of recruiting."

The selected students will participate in business management training, a mentoring program and networking opportunities. Goldman Sachs employees will be engaged in the initiative by training selected participants and offering technical assistance. In Ghana, the program is being handled by Opportunity International, an international development bank. Opportunity International will provide employment opportunities to students and will offer employees to mentor programme participants.

Goldman Sachs developed the 10,000 Women initiative to help develop people who have the potential to cause change. As Loyd Blankfein, the C.E.O. explains “Those of us who champion open markets must also do our part to create more opportunity to ensure economic growth is more broadly shared”. The program has partnered with universities and business schools and will ensure that participants are equipped with the tools they need to make lasting impacts in their countries of origin. The aim of the programme is to train 10,000 women across the world to enable them actively participate in their country’s economies.