An Ashesi student team was named the best delegation at the inaugural Oxford-Harvard Intercollegiate Model African Union Summit (IMAUS) held at Oxford University from the 26th – 28th September 2014. The students, Leticia Opoku ’16, Kevin Banful ’15, Salifu Mutaru ’16, Akosua Dei-Anang ’15, Dorcas Mensah ’16, Maxwell Laryea ‘16 and Vanessa Amoako ’16 collectively won six of the awards presented at the Summit, more than any other student team. Organised by the Youth Alliance for Leadership & Development, the Summit was supported by The MasterCard Foundation, the Rhodes Trust, Dalberg and the Youth and the African Union Commission.
The Summit brought together young Africans from across the continent and the Diaspora (as mock delegates of the African Union) to deliberate and resolve some of the most important security and development challenges facing African nations today. The theme of the inaugural summit was “Celebrating Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance,” through which the delegates hoped to promote an agenda for overcoming food security and job creation challenges, among other issues.
“It was great listening to so many young Africans sharing ideas on how Africa could focus its resources for maximum growth,” said Kevin Banful ’15, who won the Best Chair award at the summit, and led the Ashesi team. “Africa’s future is really bright if this is the calibre of people who will be leading it one day.”
Students attended from Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Nigeria Botswana, and Uganda; Guest Speakers included His Excellency John Kufuor (former President of Ghana), Dr. Mamphela Ramphele (South African politician) and Sir Ketumile Masire (the second president of Botswana). The Ashesi team won Best Delegation, three Committee Leadership and Best Delegate awards, Best Chairperson and a YALDA (Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa) Ethos Award.
“It was good to engage a broad range of networks and see the leaders our generation will offer to Africa,” said Akosua Dei-Anang ’15. “It is easy to believe the community you live in is all there is in the world, and experiences like this provide incredible learning. Also, the Oxford University campus was breathtakingly beautiful!”