In July, Ambassador Kamissa Camara, professor of practice in international diplomacy at the Ford School of Public Policy, was invited to participate in the inaugural Executive Education program at the African School of Governance (ASG), a new pan-African university located in Kigali, Rwanda.
The program, themed "Becoming the Leader Your Country Needs," brought together 25 prominent African leaders, including former and current heads of state, heads of government, and senior ministers from across the continent, to contribute to a broader conversation on improving governance across the African continent. The event marked the inaugural activity for ASG, which will welcome its first cohort of students from across the continent this September.
“It was a privilege to be part of the launch of such an ambitious and necessary institution,” said Camara. “The event was exceptional in the diversity of its participants and faculty.
It felt like a mini summit of unlike-minded individuals, which made for a vibrant and honest conversation about Africa’s development and governance.”
Camara, who was invited to join in her capacity both as a former high-level government official and as a professor of practice at the Ford School of Public Policy engaged meaningfully with other participants and faculty. “I took the opportunity to ask questions. Lots of them. I engaged the faculty on their personal journeys, intellectual legacies, and reflections on how Africa is portrayed in global media. I also pushed us to confront the often unspoken question: now what? How do we move from diagnosis to action, from ideas to implementation? It was a lively and honest exchange.”
Over three days of intensive sessions, participants reflected on the foundational principles and identity frameworks that should guide Africa’s development journey. The goal: to shape a new generation of transformational leaders rooted in African realities.
“The emphasis on worldviews was particularly striking,” Camara said. “In fact, it echoed much of what I teach in my Great Power Rivalry in the 21st Century course at the Ford School, where we explore how global powers develop and project their worldviews through foreign policy. The African School of Governance is an ambitious and promising initiative, and I look forward to seeing how its participants take forward the ideas we explored together.”
Keynote speakers and faculty included:
- H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia & Co-Founder of ASG
- Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, President of ASG and Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Dr. Donald Kaberuka, Former President of the African Development Bank
- Dr. James A. Robinson, Nobel Laureate in Economics (2024)
- Dr. Ken Opalo, Associate Professor, Georgetown University
About the African School of Governance (ASG)
Founded by H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, African School of Governance (ASG) is a leading pan-African institution dedicated to promoting ethical and visionary leadership across the continent. ASG offers cutting-edge education in governance, executive training, and public policy research tailored to Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. Through strategic partnerships and innovative learning programs, ASG equips current and future leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive sustainable transformation in governance, business, and public service.
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