Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame recently honoured eleven Ghanaian graduates of the African Leadership University (ALU) during a prestigious ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda.
At the event, which also saw the participation of Rwandan Education Minister Dr. Gaspard Twagirayezu and Kigali City Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva, President Kagame commended the graduates as the continent’s “new generation of critical thinkers and innovators.”
The ceremony marked the culmination of the largest graduating cohort in ALU’s history, comprising 431 students from 30 African countries. Among them, the Ghanaian graduates received Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Entrepreneurship, Global Challenges, and International Business and Trade, as well as Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees in Computer Science. Notably, several students benefited from the ALU-Patoranking Scholarship Program, sponsored by Nigerian musician Patoranking, to foster equitable access to education for young African changemakers.
President Kagame underscored the significance of ALU’s mission in his address, highlighting the institution’s role in cultivating African-led solutions to regional challenges. During the ceremony, he was also honoured with the ALU Honorary Certificate of Merit for Exemplary Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Emmanuel Markwei Martey, a graduate in International Business & Trade from Ghana, expressed gratitude for the transformative experience at ALU, emphasizing the institution’s role in nurturing future leaders committed to addressing Africa’s pressing issues.
The graduation festivities included Asante Sana Day, celebrating the contributions of supporters, followed by the formal ceremony at ALU’s state-of-the-art campus in Kigali’s Innovation City. Veda Sunassee, CEO of ALU, and co-founder Fred Swaniker delivered inspiring speeches, emphasizing the graduates’ potential to drive positive change across the continent.
The event also featured the presentation of the Unsung Leader Awards, recognizing individuals dedicated to fostering leadership among African youth. ALU concluded the celebrations with Homecoming Day, welcoming alums to engage in activities to further the institution’s impact.
