From Cameroon to Ghana

On August 30th, 2016, I received an email that read: “Good Day Hermann, We are very happy to inform you that you have been awarded the scholarship from Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, congratulations…” This was exciting news for my family and me. On 6^th September 2016, I left Cameroon to begin my new adventure away from home in Ghana.

I arrived in Ghana carrying with me one thing–my dreams–the hope that I could excel beyond my imagination, and that I could make life better for myself and my community.

When I arrived at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus in Ghana and I joined a family of Mastercard Foundation Scholars from different backgrounds, countries, and each with their own unique story and ambition. I felt privileged being part of this group of talented young leaders looking to shape the continent in every aspect. After a series of orientations from the school and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team, classes kicked off with full intensity.

Adapting to change

At first, it was not easy to adapt as an international student as the weather was a lot more inclement than that of Cameroon. Adapting to the system of education, food, currency, and language (Twi) took quite some time. However, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team at KNUST made sure we were comfortable and fitted in seamlessly. Furthermore, the people I met in Ghana were so welcoming that I always felt at home.

Though the academic journey in KNUST had its vicissitudes, when I look back, I am proud of how much I was able to learn in four years. The many projects and assignments that challenged me to think outside the box, learning to work in teams, and preparing myself rigorously for the world ahead. As the years progressed, my academic workload increased but once more, it taught me resilience.

Giving back

Beyond academics, I made consistent effort to contribute to my university community and my community back at home. I mainly focused on helping others build relevant digital skills as I worked with the Ghana Engineering Students Association (GESA) to provide training in programming (MATLAB and Python) to over 100 students. I also worked with the College of Engineering Center for Innovation and Excellence to provide training to over 100 students in Machine Learning. I have contributed to the development of the technology community in KNUST by supporting with organizing hackathons and collaborating on projects with others.

A sense of belonging

Being a Mastercard Foundation Scholar offered me the opportunity to be involved in several learning and growth opportunities outside the classroom. In my first year, I had the chance to partake in the International Leadership Foundation seminar series that laid the groundwork for us Scholars to be transformative leaders. The Annual Scholars’ Service Day was always one day I looked forward to as it gave me the chance to explore some of the communities in Kumasi and to work with other Scholars to impact lives. The Scholars’ monthly dinners allowed me to have a strong sense of belonging.

The Summer School provided a perfect way to take away stress from exams, and the trips during the period allowed us to visit new destinations in Ghana: Cape Coast, Volta Region, and the Eastern Region. In my second year, I was selected alongside other Scholars to represent the KNUST Scholars’ community at the BAOBAB Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. The Baobab Summit was a chance for me to network, meet like-minded persons and understand how the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is run in other sister institutions. Above all, listening to presentations from other Scholars on their community giveback projects made me believe in Africa again and the power the youth had in bringing about change on the continent.

Transitioning from school to the world of work

Graduating in 2020 was difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to complete our final semester online, work on our projects and graduate virtually. It has been a time filled with so much uncertainty on how the transition from the classroom to the place of work will be. Nonetheless, this period has taught me to be resilient and above all to remain determined.

I am very passionate about the advancement of technology in Africa and hope to use technology to contribute to the growth of economies across Africa. As my community giveback project, I worked with over 75 high school students in Bamenda Cameroon, to provide them with relevant ICT skills to thrive in this digital world. As I move towards the next stage of my life as an Engineering Analyst at Goldman Sachs, I am looking forward to building a career and gaining skills that will empower me to drive change on the continent.