In a short induction ceremony held at the Cornfield Courtyard at Ashesi, members of the Class of 2015 pledged to abide by and support the Ashesi Honour Code. The ceremony was organised by the Judicial and Electoral Council of Ashesi’s student government, together with the Class of 2015 and the Dean of Students Office. The class made the first step to joining the Ashesi Honour Code after a majority of members voted in favour of signing on last month.
Speaking at the event, alumnus Kwabena Owusu-Adjei ’10, who was one of the pioneer group of students who voted the Honour Code into force, encouraged the Class of 2015 to remember what the code meant for the values of Ashesi, the university’s reputation, and the larger society. “One of our biggest challenges in this part of the world is that we say a lot, but are not prepared to act on it,” Kwabena said. “I am glad you are part of the people that have decided to do more. You should also remember, that when you cheat or go against Ashesi’s Honour Code, you dilute our brand, and you take away a lot of opportunities from yourselves, and from the alumni community.
Jonathan Dotse, who also spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the Class of 2013, shared the challenges that his class has faced in abiding by the Honour Code. He cautioned the class of 2015 to not only take lessons from their missteps, but continue to remember what abiding by an Honour Code would mean for their future.
“My word to you today, Class of 2015, is that you should learn from our mistakes,” said Jonathan Dotse ’13. “The Honour Code is yours to keep forever. It will always represent your badge for honesty, integrity and accountability, long after you leave Ashesi. Guard it, protect it, and live for the values of the code that you have signed.”
With members of entire Ashesi community serving as its witnesses, the Class of 2015 went on to read their pledge to abide by the Honour Code, and made a commitment to ensuring that the Honour Code continues to stay strong on campus.
“Over our past year at Ashesi, we have come to develop an even stronger appreciation for the Ashesi Honour Code,” said Joseph Nti, a representative for the Class of 2015. “We understand what it means to us, our alma mater, its alumni and the entire community. We deeply respect it, and are motivated by it.”
Chairperson of the Judicial and Electoral Council, Nii Okai ’13, remarked that the induction ceremony, the first public event organised to celebrate a class signing on to the Honour Code, “is another step towards increasing student ownership of the Ashesi Honour Code. We believe it will become a tradition that reminds us of the society we hope to create and gives us the motivation to keep reaching for it.”
