A Great Day for Recognition & Upliftment of Leaders of Tomorrow
President David Wilson, Honorable Kweisi Mfume, Chairman and other esteemed members of the Board of Regents, Dr. Hongtao Yu, distinguished guests, proud parents, guardians, partners, relatives, friends, faculty, and most importantly, the spirited Class of 2024. As is customary in my country I greet you, “Me ma mo akye.”
Today we celebrate the efforts of the students, dedication of faculty and support staff, and the sacrifice of parents and guardians of the graduands of this great institution.
We stand in the dynamic heart of Baltimore, a city emblematic of resilience and transformation, much like Morgan State University itself—a beacon of academic excellence, empowerment, and innovation. It is both an honour and a profound privilege to address you at this grand celebration of your achievements, and the bright promise that each of you holds for our future. Morgan State’s journey from its humble beginnings to becoming a world-class urban research university epitomizes the transformative power of vision, ambition, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of humanity. Today, the universe joins in one resounding chorus to congratulate you, the Class of 2024! Ayekoo!! Well done!
History & Heritage: The Bond Between Ghana and HBCUs
I bring you greetings from Africa, and a message of hope from Ghana my beloved motherland, the West African nation that endured the tempests of colonial oppression to light the torch and blaze the trail for decolonization in Africa. Ghana and Historically Black Colleges and Universities share a deep bond, woven through shared struggles and triumphs. Our first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, graduated from Lincoln University before achieving greatness, becoming leader of the first black African nation to gain independence from colonial rule. President Nkrumah is a global icon of freedom, a visionary leader, and, even in death, has been honoured as the greatest African of the millennium. W.E.B. Du Bois, a titan of intellectual and civil rights achievement is an alumnus of Fisk University. He spent his last years contributing to Ghana and Pan-Africanism’s intellectual legacy, at the invitation of President Nkrumah. Du Bois is buried at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-African Culture in Accra.
Ghana, once entwined in the dark history of the transatlantic slave trade, marked by the infamous “Door of No Return” at the Cape Coast Castle, has transformed into a beacon of return and reconciliation for the African diaspora. Historically, this door was the last exit point through which millions of Africans passed before being shipped off to slavery across the Americas. In a positive pivot, Ghana has become one of the leading destinations for African Americans seeking to reconnect with their ancestral roots. In 2019, Ghana launched the “Year of Return” commemorating 400 years since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia, USA. It was a landmark initiative inviting the diaspora to return “home.” Ghana has further cemented this connection by offering citizenship to numerous African Americans including Global Music Icon & Social Justice Activist, Stevie Wonder just this Monday, fostering a renewed sense of belonging and healing from the scars of history. This initiative not only acknowledges the painful past but also celebrates the resilience, culture and profound longing of Africans and their descendants worldwide.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I stand here fully aware, and humbled, by the luminaries who have preceded me on this stage — among them icons Maya Angelou, whose words dance with resilience and elevate the human spirit, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose dreams continue to inspire generations, President Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, whose leadership transcended boundaries.
I am also aware, that barely a year ago, on this very campus, another luminary who has shattered the proverbial glass ceiling in the corporate world, made a profound statement that is as relevant today as it was then.
ABC News’ first black female President, Kim Godwin spoke these words to Morgan State University graduands of 2023. She said, “If there is a theme I want to leave with you today, it’s about meeting your moment in history. We stand on the shoulders of many who have already met their moments, and now is the time for you to meet yours.” I want to add my voice to that of Kim Godwin but it will be remiss of me not to highlight certain harsh realities of today’s world which you are likely to be confronted with as you strive to make your mark.
Global Challenges, & The Way Forward
Through no fault of yours, a different world with various, and evolving, challenges awaits you.
While many forebears may find cold comfort in progress made in certain aspects of life, I am not afraid to say in candour and humility that my generation has not been kind to you.
We have left for you a world riddled with wars, famine, disease, racial and gender discrimination, and a multitude of problems.
The current global landscape is deeply influenced by a myriad of geopolitical and socio-economic challenges across all continents, highlighting the intricate interdependencies, and the urgent need for radical action.
Societal divisions have intensified. Indeed, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to staggering human and material losses, starkly illustrating the dire consequences of prolonged hostilities. We pray that there will be a redoubling of efforts to resolve the present conflict in Gaza and to find a long-term solution to the Israel-Palestinian problem. Sadly, all these seemingly intractable global crises reveal a paucity of humane, decisive, just, and provident leadership. It is instructive for the old to listen in humility when the young today say with anger and pain that my generation has failed them.
In recent times, these seeming exogenous events have manifested themselves on university campuses across the United States of America very much in keeping with the age old American tradition of student protests. Indeed, students of history will appreciate the role student activism has played in various aspects of human history. It is in this country that student activists helped in the emancipation of women and African Americans, campaigned for the creation of African American and Black Studies programs in several American universities in 1968, and campaigned for an end to America’s participation in the Vietnam War. In Ghana, South Africa, and almost all African countries, student activism was at the forefront of our independence and liberation struggles. What we are therefore witnessing today is not unusual in the context of the historical role students have played in the quest for a just and fairer world.
It is welcoming to have your voices heard loudly on social matters but in doing so, I entreat you not to do anything that will distort nor detract from the clarity of your message. The global challenges notwithstanding, I am of the firm belief that the education you have received on this campus has equipped you to surmount any obstacles.
As you step into this world, I implore you to engage in the political processes of your countries. Your active participation is crucial, for as Plato wisely said, “The price of apathy in public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” By not getting involved, we leave the door open for less principled individuals to take charge. Your education and the values you have learned here at Morgan State University make you ideal candidates to be the ethical and visionary leaders the world so desperately needs. Do not shy away from this responsibility. Embrace it, and strive to create a society where justice, fairness, and integrity prevail.
In the words of President Barack Obama: “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek.”
The world is therefore looking to you; to be the change-makers we have been waiting for, and the change we seek. This change must herald in its wake a more friendly and humane world; a more gender-balanced world; a more economically equitable world, a climatically safer planet, and a world devoid of injustice, wars, famine and poverty.
As a historically black university, you are very familiar with the harm that racial discrimination does to society.
While there have been major strides in both the corporate and political world, many incidents in the recent past remind us that there is a lot more to do in the quest for a fairer and more equitable society.
Similarly, my motherland Ghana and most of the sub-Saharan African countries are still reeling from the impact of the inhumane slavery and plunderous colonialism that our people have endured.
Class of 2024, the world is looking up to you to change the narrative.
A great Ghanaian pioneer of formal education, Dr Kwegyir Aggrey famously said; “Black keys of the piano give good sounds, white keys of the piano give good sounds, but the combination of the two gives the best melody.”
The revered Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, dreamt of a society where his four children shall not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. This peaceful society of different colours perceived by these visionaries of their time must become your reality! Let nothing detract nor obstruct you from the progress you can make for all the human race in justice, peace, and harmony.
This is the change for which your forebears sacrificed sweat and blood for you. It is the change that we seek from you!
And always remember that you do not journey alone. Take a moment to look at the person beside you, and say to them, “Everybody needs a helping hand.”
Do not hesitate to offer yours, or to reach out when you need one. In the words of the great civil rights leader, and the legal luminary, Thurgood Marshall, “None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody – a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony,
or a few nuns – bent down and helped us pick up our boots.’’ The Zulu concept of Ubuntu captures it aptly; “A person is a person because of other people”, or “I am because you are.
Championing Women for Progress and Parity
Every society has its history, heritage, and heroes. Allow me to share some attributes of my greatest hero with you!
This person was a paragon of integrity and humanity, exemplifying what it means to lead with generosity and compassion. Despite modest means, this person’s efforts to feed the poor and needy in our community underscored a profound lesson: We thrive by supporting one another. This individual’s life, rooted in a mining town in my country, teaches us the power of community care, instilling values of kindness, moderation, selflessness, and honest labour. This person was Beatrice Jonah of blessed memory, my dearly beloved mother!
Heroism is not the preserve of men only. Indeed, the heroic and crucial role my mother played in my life and the cohesion of my wider family is typical for mothers in our culture, and from the little I know of the history of our brothers and sisters in this part of the world- is similar for mothers here. It seems to me that our mothers, wives, and sisters, also real heroes, do not get the recognition they deserve.
Many historical strides have been made by female figures such as the great Asante Queenmother Yaa Asantewaa, who led the great Asante Kingdom in warding off the pillaging army of the colonizers; the indefatigable Winnie Mandela, without whom the liberation and fight against apartheid in South Africa would not have been complete. Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, Angela Merkel, and more recently, leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris of the United States of America, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, and many others have given distinguished leadership in the political life of nations.
Women have proven their mettle in the corporate world as well, with leaders like your own highly-respected Morgan State University alumna, Valerie Thomas the NASA Scientist, Indra Nooyi the former chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo, Mary Barra the Chair and CEO of General Motors, and Rox Brewer, former CEO of Sam’s Club and soon to be CEO of Starbucks, setting benchmarks for excellence and ethical leadership, and of course media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, to mention a few. They all demonstrate the profound positive impact women can have, yet only a handful of nations in 2024 are led by women. This disparity highlights the continued need for gender parity in corporate and political leadership.
The accomplishments of our insightful, industrious and courageous women are not just victories for the female gender but for the organizations and nations they lead, proving that diverse leadership brings invaluable perspectives and superior outcomes. The journey is far from complete. Women, especially those from minority backgrounds, still face significant barriers in higher education and industry that must be dismantled to benefit all humanity.
As Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey famously said, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual; if you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation.” It is therefore imperative that we dismantle all systemic and institutional barriers, and create environments where women’s contributions are recognized and celebrated.
Class of 2024, let the story of every woman who has led, from the humblest villages to the grandest nations, inspire you to be agents of change in an evolving world where you actively support and elevate women in every sphere, from the grassroots to global leadership.
Curating a Brighter Future: Humanity & Artificial Intelligence
President Wilson, esteemed Board of Regents, Provost, distinguished guests, proud families and friends, faculty, and the Class of 2024, the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus stated that “Change is the only constant.” This statement is so true in the area of technological advancement.
Your journey ahead is one of great promise with more technological help than any generation has ever received. The new world of Artificial Intelligence presents exciting opportunities as well as significant responsibilities for your generation. Life is never going to be the same again. Automation and robotization will be of greater use to handle routine tasks to replace human labour in many fields, leading to a disruption of traditional industries. To mitigate the risks of looming joblessness in many sectors of the economy, the workforce of today and tomorrow needs to engage in upskilling and reskilling. Bright and industrious graduates and the workforce must commit to relearning so as to embrace new job opportunities as well as create new ones. As you go forth into the changing job market, consciously participate in advocacy for policies and regulations that will inure to the benefit of humanity. Inaction will not solve the problems that are sure to come with the greater use of AI.
In Asia and, in fact, back home in Africa, your counterparts have fully embraced the opportunities that come with Artificial Intelligence. While this means that your competition for jobs is no longer just local, AI also presents a solid platform for meaningful collaboration with diverse talents in various fields of endeavour across the planet. I strongly urge you to have a global and collaborative mindset in your quest for advancement. This will give a true meaning to the motto of Morgan State University: “Growing the Future, Leading the World.”
Personal Experience: Purpose & Persistence
Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I conclude my speech, allow me to share snippets of my life experience with you. My career as leader of a transnational mining company Ashanti Goldfields, President of AngloGold Ashanti, advisor to leaders of nations, a serial Director of top-notch global companies, and the longest serving Chancellor of Ghana’s University of competitive choice, the University of Cape Coast all began in the backstreets of a small mining town called Obuasi. This was at the time when mining was not the most fashionable trade, the preserve of unskilled nomadic labourers. All the Management positions were reserved for white British migrants or expatriates, who worked and lived in Obuasi under a system akin to the apartheid regime in South Africa
I vividly recall my mother almost having a heart attack when I told her about my career choice. Her exact words to me were and I translate, “Kwesi, do you want to send me to my grave ahead of my time.”
My dear father was slightly more accommodating, considering his own background as a military veteran of World War II. His cautionary advice about the career I had set my heart on and why, still rings in my ear to this day. “Son, this is a white dominated industry. If this is what you have chosen, understand that you will have to work thrice as hard to receive any plaudits. Let no man outwork you. Make no excuses, and someday recognition of your competence, diligence, and character will bring you the credit you deserve.” Then he added this proverb: “wo bisa wo fie, won bisa wo sika” to wit – ‘don’t be defined by your wealth, be defined by what you stand for.’ I imbibed and cherished those wise words throughout my career. Indeed, at every level of supervision or management in the Obuasi mines, I was blessed to be one of the first Africans appointed to lead. I worked hard, and studied even harder. I never let the colour of my skin become my burden. It was for those who were bothered to carry it, never mine. The words of my military father, an unabashed disciplinarian egged me on to prevail. By age 33, I became Deputy CEO by which time the company was one of the largest and certainly the richest gold mine in the world. By age 37, I was appointed the CEO of the company, Ashanti Goldfields. In 1994, I led my team to list the company in London, Ghana, and a number of other stock exchanges. In 1996, Ashanti became the first African-operated company to list on the New York Stock Exchange. I am filled with joy for the opportunities I was blessed to create for the empowerment of many young men and women through scholarships, training, and progress in various careers. My progress had to uplift others to be truly meaningful. We believed that mining had to be carried out with a human face. In this regard, we worked relentlessly to safeguard the environment in the knowledge that when the last tree dies, the last man dies.
Graduands of 2024, The Great African hero, Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
As you leave this campus be reminded of the transformative and impactful journey of a small Centenary Biblical Institute founded in 1867 to become the world-renowned institute of excellence in teaching, research, public service and community engagement that Morgan State University is today.
It is my belief that this institution has adequately equipped you with the most powerful weapon – your education, to change the world.
Today, your education and achievement, enjoin you to a sacred lineage of scholars, activists, entrepreneurs and leaders.
You are tasked with not merely navigating the world but with remolding it into a place of greater fairness, justice, and humanity.
This is your charge, and I have every confidence that you will rise to meet it, inspired by the education and values instilled in you at Morgan State University.
Your graduation today is not just a personal achievement but a continuation of a journey that many have traveled before you. It is a testament to the resilience of those who dreamed of this day, even when it seemed impossible. As you step into the future, carry with you the legacy of those who never gave up; who believed in the power of education, and who understood that true freedom comes from lifting others as we climb.
Strengthening Community; Building on Educational & Professional Relationships
I urge you to remember the value of community. The relationships you have forged here, with peers, faculty, and mentors alike, are a source of strength and inspiration. Nurture these bonds for they will be your support network as you embark on your respective journeys.
And whichever areas of expertise your gifts, talents and determination drive you to serve and lead, not only for your country but all humanity, remember the words of Plato: The punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government is to live under the government of worse men.” Your wisdom and knowledge are urgently required in every field of endeavour, no less of which is the government: The visioneering, formulation and timely delivery of provident policies, and enactment of prudent and humane laws for the protection and prosperity of the people. Your leadership in government and governance, in short politics, is equally vital if you are to help shape a better world.
The progress of humanity is a relay that relies not on the colour of your skin but on your purpose, your character, and your willingness to work with others in unity.
On your journey for justice, let the courage of your conviction in your voices be heard.
In all you do, remember that whilst your aptitude is a great asset, it is your attitude that will get you ahead.
The baton of human progress is handed to you today. Hold on for dear life, imbue it with added value, and when the time comes, pass it on to the next generation.
Class of 2024, go forth in wisdom, knowledge, unity and courage.
Congratulations!!! God Bless You All