Day 6 - The Future is Now!

We kicked off our day with breakfast and a chance to reflect on the things we’ve noticed about the city of Accra. It was a quiet moment to take it all in—how the city moves, how the people interact, and how much we've experienced in such a short time.

After breakfast, we had a guest lecture on education and innovation in Ghana. The topic was fascinating and it gave us a lot to think about. The speaker covered the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, which is one of the government’s big initiatives. While this is a positive move in terms of accessibility, the policy also brings its own set of challenges. Overcrowded classrooms and high student-to-teacher ratios are just a couple of the issues. But there’s also progress to celebrate: since 1999, the gap between male and female education rates has significantly closed. The new female Vice President is a big deal in this regard, serving as a powerful reminder to parents that girls don’t have to be confined to domestic roles—they too can achieve great things. There’s still work to be done, of course. Initiatives such as investing more in STEM and expanding teacher training programs are key areas for growth.


Next, we toured the University of Ghana, which, founded in 1948, is the country’s first university. The campus is massive—serving 60,000 to 80,000 students—and it has all the amenities you'd expect from a large, well-established institution. After the tour, we had lunch with University of Ghana undergraduate students, which gave us a glimpse into student life here. I had the chance to chat with Ella, a fourth-year student and entrepreneur. We bonded over the different opportunities that lie ahead after college and talking about daily life. It was great to exchange ideas and connect over our experiences. 


Lunch with University of Ghana students


After lunch, we made our way to the University of Ghana Mosque where some of us took the opportunity to witness the Muslim prayer ritual. It was a reminder of the diverse faiths and practices that shape this very diverse community.


In the afternoon, we visited ALX, a training arm of Sand Technologies. They’re on a mission to build a strong talent pool across Africa and they’re doing some interesting work. With operations in eight African countries and partnerships with big names like Mastercard, the NBA, and Amazon, ALX is positioning itself as a major player in the tech and innovation space. What I found especially intriguing was the sense of community they’re cultivating. Through programs like “Chale what’s up” on Fridays—where students come together to play games and hang out—and other initiatives like beach clean-ups and awareness campaigns, they’re creating a tight-knit community that’s both professionally focused and socially conscious. They also have partnerships with universities like Macalester College and Vanderbilt University, opening pathways for African students to study abroad.



Picture of our group at ALX 


At the end of the day, we gathered to reflect on everything we’ve experienced. I was struck by the balance between challenges and opportunities here in Accra. There’s a lot of room for growth, but also a lot of innovation happening in real-time. It’s been a day of learning, connecting, and thinking about what the future holds—not just for Ghana, but for all of us as we move forward.


Ire


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