DAAD Opens Regional Office in Accra to Deepen West Africa Ties; UG Vice-Chancellor Lauds Past Impact and Future Potential
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo has lauded the longstanding contributions of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to higher education in Ghana and expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated DAAD Regional Office in Accra to further strengthen academic cooperation and research excellence across West Africa.
Delivering the keynote address at the official launch, Prof. Amfo described the establishment of the Regional Office, which will serve Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, as a significant milestone in international academic collaboration.
She highlighted DAAD’s enduring impact at the University of Ghana, including initiatives such as the Ghanaian-German Centre of Excellence for Development Studies at ISSER and the DAAD In-country/In-region scholarships at centres of excellence like WACCI, RIPS and WACCBIP. She also acknowledged DAAD’s support for higher education management through the DIES programme.
“In the area of education, the impact and contribution of Germany has been strongly felt, particularly in higher education through scholarships, partnerships and the establishment of centres of excellence to promote research and innovation in specialised fields of study,” Prof. Amfo stated.
She added that the new office holds promise for attracting multilateral partnerships and reinforcing regional and international academic networks.
President of DAAD, Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee, noted that the opening of the Regional Office marks a new chapter in the organisation’s engagement with West Africa. He emphasised DAAD’s enduring commitment to student mobility, joint research, and institutional partnerships. “Our engagement has remained strong through wars, economic crises and political turmoil, proving that while nations may experience conflict, academic cooperation remains an enduring bond that transcends borders,” he said.
Prof. Mukherjee also pointed out that DAAD has supported more than 3 million scholars globally, with Ghana being a key partner country.
Acting German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Manuel Müller, described the launch as a major step forward in academic collaboration among Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. He referenced ongoing initiatives supported by the German government, such as the Falling Walls Lab and the Museums Lab, as examples of the growing cultural and educational ties.
Director of the new DAAD Regional Office, Ms. Lena Leumer, shared insights into the ten-month transition process that elevated the office from a national to a regional hub. She noted that the new space, in addition to being a vibrant and accessible environment, has facilitated the development of new academic partnerships and supported thousands of students and researchers across the three countries it now serves.
Also present at the ceremony was EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly, who hailed the launch as a vital step in expanding Europe-Africa academic ties. He reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to education, noting that over 1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to Ghanaian students through Erasmus+ and other EU-supported programmes.
The launch event brought together key stakeholders from academia, diplomatic missions, and government institutions, all united in their commitment to fostering international collaboration, research, and educational development across West Africa.