Former President of Ghana, Discusses African Sustainable Development, Quality Education and Gender Equity, at CSU

Chicago, IL- On Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Provost Angela Henderson and College of Business Dean, Derrick Collins, introduced Chicago State University (CSU) students and staff to His Excellency, Former President of Ghana John Mahama. Mahama served as the 4th President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana from 2012 to 2017.

President Mahama discussed his Sustainable Development Goals, which include access to education, industrialization, and promoting the global connections of development. A significant portion of his address promoted support for gender equity, as he quoted the familiar saying, “If you educate a man you educate an individual, if you educate a woman you educate a nation”. To advance this objective, President Mahama led his government to invest tremendous resources in education and scholarships for women.

CSU students asked questions and interacted with the former President regarding issues from political empowerment to the role of education in lifting a country out of poverty and pursuing one’s passion and goals.

Since 2013, CSU’s College of Business has sponsored students to participate in Study Abroad / Work Abroad internships. The program sends students to Ghana’s capital of Accra and enhances their perspective on international business and commerce. Dr. Wolanyo Kpo, a CSU Business professor and native of Ghana, manages this unique program.

Dr. Henderson stated, “We are honored and pleased by the visit of President Mahama. Thank you for your support of CSU and for the work of our College of Business to link Ghana and our students through international business.”

Dean Collins added, “Today’s event represented a fabulous opportunity for our students to learn from their interaction with a Head of State and for the University to build upon and further strengthen its relationship with the Republic of Ghana”.

Adjunct professor, Michael Chitavi, was instrumental in arranging for President Mahama’s visit to CSU.

Additional information on former President Mahama can be found at www.johnmahama.org.