The Master of Science in Foreign Service Program is delighted to announce the program’s fourth recipient of the Africa Scholarship Deborah Ofori. Deborah joins us from Ghana.
Since 2014, MSFS has been recruiting talented students through the Africa Scholarship Program, in order to expand the outreach to skillful students and strengthen the diverse student body at Georgetown University.
Deborah completed her undergraduate studies at the premier University of Ghana Business School, receiving a First Class Honors in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. Passionate for international affairs, Deborah set out to find a school that would equip her with knowledge and skills in her interests of global trade and international affairs, leading her to MSFS.
During her undergraduate studies, Deborah had the opportunity to put her theoretical knowledge to practice, piquing her interest in international affairs. Driven by her love for business, Deborah led a four person team in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Global Business Challenge in Poland and the CharterQuest CFO Global Business Case competition in South Africa, Johannesburg.
After graduating, Deborah served as a Business Development Analyst with the International Enterprise Singapore, propelling her to broaden her scope in international affairs.
Deborah is looking forward to studying international trade and development, as well as global business and finance. “MSFS will not only develop my analytical skills, but mold me to be a leader in my profession,” she said. Besides receiving an excellent education from the program, Deborah takes great interest in the diversity the program has to offer. She is hoping to “gain a firm ground to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana develop to compete in the global market.” Aside from academics, Deborah holds a variety of interests, including soccer, basketball, orchestra, band music, drama, and volunteer activities.
Deborah is excited to experience an abundance of what Washington D.C. has to offer. “Apart from the MSFS program which promises to be thrilling and of great value, the location of the school in the heart of D.C. makes it the desired destination for a first time entrant into the States,” she said. “Being at the center of international politics, trade and development, I am keen on contributing my knowledge at the heart of affairs, especially as an African. I am also interested in visiting the White House, Capitol Hill and the National Museum of American History.”
Deborah’s long-term goals include a career in business consulting. She hopes to become a corporate strategist and leader in advocating for SME development and internationalization in Africa, promoting its growth in global trade. Deborah envisions a great future for her home country: “It’s about time the African continent played its role in international trade and development; it is my goal to champion this worthy cause. I am not here at MSFS simply as another beneficiary of the Africa Scholarship award. I am here as an ambassador for Ghana and Africa. I am here as a game changer. And I am here to add value to Georgetown University.”