Kwamina Eyiah Arthur

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“I am passionate about democratizing technology to create access to all so everyday problems can be solved.”

Hometown: Cape Coast, Ghana.

Fun Fact About Yourself: My name is etched on a microchip that is on the surface of Mars right now!

Undergraduate School and Major: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana; Major: Actuarial Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: SecondSTAX Ltd, Head of Product Management

Berkeley Haas is founded on four Defining Leadership Principles: Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. Which principle resonates most with you and why? Beyond Yourself. This principle holds special significance in my life because of my communal upbringing in Ghana. Collaboration and community are deeply ingrained in my values, and I am passionate about equal footing in everything. I also believe it is crucial to pay it forward and leave the world a better place for those who come after me.

When you think of UC Berkeley, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why?: Community. Community fosters belonging and that is the lifeline of UC Berkeley’s vibrancy and diversity.

Aside from classmates and the Defining Leadership Principles, what was the key part of Berkeley Haas’ MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you?: It is Haas’ commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). A university is a melting pot of academic disciplines, cultures, experiences, and perspectives and it is important for DEI to be inculcated in every step of the experience. I find Haas’ commitment to DEI very reassuring.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Berkeley Haas (and why)? The Haas Africa Business Club. After working on several tech projects and solutions in Ghana and Africa, I would love to share some of the success stories and ingenious ways we have solved problems with the club. I’d also love to hear stories from other parts of Africa and the world at large!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment has been leading Vodafone Ghana’s mobile digitalization agenda as the product manager of the My Vodafone App (MVA). When the Digital Transformation department was newly formed, I was highly recommended for the role and decided to embrace the challenge and leave my comfort zone behind.

The results were remarkable. In one year, the MVA app had 1.2 million downloads, with store ratings improving from 1.3 stars to 4.5 stars, and a significant boost in transactions on the app rather than traditional channels (i.e., retail store visits and call center conversations). This led to cost savings and quicker customer resolution.

I felt honored to receive the Vodafone Hero award for my contributions, and MVA’s success was further recognized when it won the prestigious Digital Enabler of the Year award at the 10th edition of the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards. Additionally, my team’s dedication and accomplishments earned us the title of Digital Transformation team of the year during the 11th edition in 2021. This experience taught me the power of determination, collaboration, and embracing challenges head-on.

At this point, what do you hope to do after graduation? I aspire to leverage my existing product management skills and passion for financial inclusion to build fintech products. My long-term goal remains to deepen financial inclusion in Africa through a company that streamlines infrastructure technology for seamless international fintech solutions. However, in the short term, I see an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of scalable products within prominent tech firms. By combining my product management expertise with their resources and global reach, I aim to create impactful solutions tailored to the unique needs of the African market.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Northwestern Kellogg, MIT Sloan, Dartmouth Tuck

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Berkeley Haas’ MBA program? Invest time in self-reflection and thorough research on your post-MBA goals and how they align with the school. Cultural fit is crucial to the holistic experience, so demonstrate how you embody the Defining Leadership Principles in your application. Engage with the Berkeley Haas community by connecting with current students, alumni, and staff to gain valuable insights into the program’s culture and offerings. Use this knowledge to craft compelling essays that showcase your unique qualities and contributions. Be genuine and authentic throughout the process, reflecting your passion for making a positive impact in the MBA program and beyond.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE BERKELEY HAAS MBA CLASS OF 2025