The Woman Who Taught Me Learning Never Stops: Cheers to Mama Esther!

Looking back, it’s funny now, but back then, I hated it when Mama Esther told me to focus on school. Like any rebellious teenager, I’d get angry, skipping homework, showing up late, anything to push back. In hindsight, it was such a silly way to act. But Mama Esther? She was relentless. That woman did everything possible to make sure we studied, even if it meant locking us indoors to read. My sister Esi would wail loud enough for the whole neighbourhood to hear, but our mother wouldn’t budge. It felt unbearable at the time, and in our local language, we nicknamed her Evaglo: “Too much!!!”

But she knew exactly what she was doing. There’s a reason she pushed us so hard. Mama Esther never got the chance to go to school simply because she was a girl. It sounds unbelievable now, but that was her reality. She was one of the top three students (and the only girl) in her middle school exams, earning full scholarships to three of Ghana’s best high schools. My grandfather wouldn’t have had to pay a penny. Yet, he refused. “She’s a girl; she doesn’t need school.” She begged. She cried. She even sent people to plead with him. Nothing worked. So instead, she learnt to sew. And with that skill, she built one of the most successful tailoring businesses in her town. Her resilience didn’t just shape her life; it inspired one of my sisters, who is now a full-time fashion designer in her honor.

As a teenager, I faced a tragedy that forced me out of school for an entire year. Every day, I watched my friends share stories about their college adventures while I stood on the sidelines. It was during that painful year that I truly understood the weight of Mama Esther’s words to her four daughters: “Go to school. Learn.” When I finally returned to education a year later, I carried that lesson with me. Fast forward to today, and I’ve navigated two major career pivots, from researcher to full-time technologist. I loved my work, but at a crucial point, I heard Mama Esther’s voice again, reminding me, It was time to grow. Time to build my global leadership and business skills.

Choosing HEC Paris for my MBA wasn’t just an obvious decision; it was the only one that felt right. I can’t fully explain it, but something about the school resonated with me at my core. By this stage in my career, I’d received endless advice, but Mama Esther’s wisdom always stood out: “Only you know what your medicine is.” And I knew, even if it seemed crazy, that this was my next step. As I prepared for this adventure, I kept reflecting on what it means to never stop learning whether through YouTube, books, or, in my case, the incredible privilege of studying alongside brilliant minds at HEC Paris with the Laidlaw Women in Business scholarship. Learning isn’t just about absorbing knowledge; it’s about the people you grow with, the perspectives that challenge you, and the courage to keep evolving.

And just like Mama Esther, who once fought for an education she was denied, I’ve been blessed with a scholarship to pursue this journey. It feels like her prayers and favor are still guiding me. Now, my mission is to have the courage to build what she would have and even more. So today, I’m proud to announce to my network: Esther’s daughter (that’s me!) has begun her MBA at HEC Paris.

Cheers to life, to learning, and to legacy.