Stories From AAI’s Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholars

In a letter from Araba Botchway, Executive Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at Ashesi University, AAI received personal stories from our scholarship students:

“Dear Ms. Appenteng and members of the Africa-America Institute,

Because of your generous support, Ashesi continues to welcome and unlock opportunities for bright and driven students from across Africa, regardless of their ability to pay tuition. It was truly my pleasure to continue to help select the recipient of the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship. Thank you for your continued support and helping to transform students’ lives.

I hope you enjoy this year’s letter from Aimy Daboat ‘28. Our students tell their stories best, and your support has shaped their future.”

AIMY DABOAT headshot

Aimy Daboat

Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Class of 2028 

I am deeply honored to receive the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support. I come from the upper east region of Ghana but reside with my family of six in Obuasi, Ghana. I first heard of Ashesi University from my senior high school, Holy Child Senior School, where a friend told me how her sister was admitted to Ashesi University as a scholar and how her journey in and after school has transformed her and the whole family.

As someone going through a family financial crisis in school, I became deeply invested in this information and prayed to God to bless me with this opportunity so I could bring hope and change to my family. I researched the school more and became more drawn to Ashesi because of its strong emphasis on ethical education, critical thinking, and leadership. I was drawn to leading people to make a difference. This encouraged me to choose Ashesi University.

My journey in Ashesi has been exciting yet challenging as I strive to meet academic demands. Still, I can accomplish this journey with perseverance, discipline, and grace. My favorite course so far is Intro to Engineering because it engages us in a more practical way of learning. Outside the classroom, I have been involved in the Photography club and church’s media term as a Photographer; I also volunteered as a photographer for the Ashesi career fair program, which is yet to start. My ultimate goal is to become an Electrical and Electronic Engineer who can encourage my younger generation, especially females, that they can also make irrespective of the challenges that they will encounter, everything will work out one day. I also hope to bring a financial breakthrough to my family and society by establishing jobs in my community.

One thing about me is that as much as I want to become an Engineer, I have always desired to be one of the greatest impactful African female CEO in my country and even the world who will bring a change to the economic growth of the country by increasing the rate of employment for the youth. Ashesi University is the perfect place to shape me in accomplishing my goal as it emphasizes ethical education, critical thinking, leadership, and building a better Africa. Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me and my family, as there have been times when pursuing a higher education seemed impossible. This scholarship has relieved me as I can focus on my education. I am incredibly grateful to you for making this possible.

Once again, thank you for your generosity and belief in my potential. Your support is impacting my education and future, and I hope to repay my society, country, Africa, and the world with the skills and knowledge I will gain from it. I will, therefore, work hard to make you proud.

More Student Stories:

  • Brian Gomora headshot

    Brian Gomora

    Electrical & Electronic Engineering

    Zimbabwe

  • Valentine Muriithi headshot

    Valentine Wanja Muriithi

    Electrical & Electronic Engineering

    Kenya

  • Afsanat Ineza headshot

    Afsanat Ineza

    Computer Science

    Rwanda

  • Hephzibah Emereole headshot

    Hephzibah Emereole

    Computer Science

    Nigeria

  • Paul Lamptey headshot

    Paul Lamptey

    Business Administration

    Ghana

  • Daphne Chebesi headshot

    Daphne Chebesi

    Business Administration

    Cameroon

  • Dorcas Osei headshot

    Dorcas Osei

    Electrical & Electronic Engineering

    Ghana

  • Lorraine Makuyana headshot

    Lorraine Makuyana

    Computer Engineering

    Zimbabwe

  • David Angyuum Nereh headshot

    David Angyuum Nereh

    Electrical & Electronic Engineering

    Ghana

  • Eunice Tachie-Menson headshot

    Eunice Tachie-Menson

    Electrical Engineering

    Ghana