• June 20, 2023
• Leadership, News

One-On-One with Kufuor Scholar Emmanuella Osafo Adjei

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Interviewer: Tell us more about yourself and how life was growing up.

Interviewee: I’ve always been a creative person. From singing to dancing, drawing, painting and even modeling at a certain point. I first sang on stage in church when I was 11 years old. Things like that bring me joy, and people around me can attest to that same joy because they share in it. I’m the first of 5 children, and even though firstborns appear like they have it all together, I’m still finding my way as I go along. I thank God for a supportive family that continues to shape me as I go.

Interviewer: Tell us about schooling and the leadership positions you held.

Interviewee: Well, during my 2-year A-level pursuit at the Ghana Christian International High School, I was dining hall prefect. I served on the executive board for Levites and Ellipses, a gospel song ministration group and dance group respectively. I became a Praise and Worship leader, and I served as Class representative for 2 years. I believe the most challenging of all those roles was dining hall prefect because it involved coordinating activities with different crops of people over a very sensitive issue: food. I’m grateful I had help because, at the beginning, it affected my concentration in school. Later on, however, I was able to better navigate it. At the University of Ghana, I served as Vice President for the French Students Association and was a class rep for a year. Before I went to Christian High, I did some volunteering with Takoradi International Company. I also joined a group of girls in my hometown Akuapem Akropong to organise classes for some of the girls in the region. I had the opportunity to go to France and I volunteered with the Erasmus Students Network which involved interacting with persons with disability, both young and old and those taught me great lessons of love. I also gained the opportunity, through the KSP to intern with Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Ghana which was such a great learning experience for me, as I got acquainted with things outside of my comfort zone including research, analysis and cleaning of data.

Interviewer: How did you become a Kufuor Scholar?

Interviewee: I attended the popular K-Talk on campus where I learned things I was otherwise not exposed to in my regular learning environment like values, boldness, and confidence. And within a short while, I realised I wanted to be part of this. The coordinator of the program, Dr. Pascal Brenya encouraged me to apply. He stayed in touch with myself and other possible applicants and encouraged us throughout the process, for which we are very grateful.

Interviewer: Tell me more about your KSP journey… Which are some of the memorable moments that you remember profoundly?

Interviewee: The first camp we had at Ejura was one of the most refreshing experiences I’d ever had. The bonding moments we shared, the empirical life lessons we learned from different seasoned speakers, and definitely the fun we had are some things I would never forget.

Interviewer: What lessons have you learned from participating in the Kufuor Scholars Program in the areas of leadership and good values?

Interviewee: I have learned that there is never a perfect time to start something. Taking advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, assessing the risks and benefits, assessing your capabilities and strengths, thinking about others and Ghana first…those will never leave me. I’m generally more patriotic because of this program. Very key too, is the fact that we all need each other and people are the most valuable resource.

Interviewer: What can we expect from you as a Kufuor Scholar now that you have graduated from the KSP?

Interviewee: Stepping into the world, with the grace of God, in all my actions and endeavours, I will strive to think about others and my nation. The people around me must feel the effect of the training I have undergone. Most importantly, you should expect growth. Life hasn’t thrown all it has at me yet, but I know, that I have more to learn, and I commit myself to learning together with my fellow alumni, and definitely impart some of that to others.

Interviewer: What thank you words would you want to say to former President Kufuor, the John A. Kufuor Foundation, and the KSP?

Interviewee: To His Excellency President John A Kufuor, to the CEO Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, our amiable coordinator Dr. Pascal Brenya, Aunty Nana Ama, Jeffrey, and all others, I want to say a huge thank you. Most of the experiences, I am confident I would have never learned anywhere else. Being allowed to express my individuality, learning about myself and others, and understanding that mentorship is important…these have been taught me in the most unique way possible and I will always be grateful that our political science teaching assistant canceled our tutorials that fateful Thursday afternoon, so we could go and participate in the K-Talk at the Kofi Drah Conference Room.