The Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana has held a strategic meeting with Prof. Johannes Maerk, representing the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna, Austria, to discuss the ongoing European Union-funded Conflict and Transformation Studies in Africa (COMMAT) project and preparations for its proposed second phase.
The meeting, held on 7 October 2026, was chaired by the Head of Department, Professor Isaac Owusu-Mensah, and brought together senior faculty members to review the project's progress, identify institutional priorities and explore opportunities for strengthening collaboration between African and European higher education institutions. Faculty members present included Emeritus Professor Atsu Ayee, Professor Mohammed Abdulai, Professor Boadu, Dr. Ateku Jalilu, Professor Asare Bossman, Professor Ian Boxill and Professor Duku Osei. Prof. Johannes Maerk provided an overview of the project and outlined considerations for the development of its next phase.
Strengthening African-European Academic Collaboration
The COMMAT project is an international higher education partnership focused on capacity building, academic development and mobility between African and European institutions. Its consortium includes the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in Wa, the University of Ghana Business School, the University of Rwanda, the Protestant University of Rwanda in Huye, and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain.
During the meeting, Prof. Johannes Maerk highlighted the project's commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and facilitating academic exchange. He also emphasised respect for the autonomy of participating universities, noting the importance of allowing partner institutions to retain control over their internal governance and curricula.
The Department of Political Science has already participated in aspects of the first phase of the COMMAT project. Three members of the Department: Professor Emmanuel Yeboah-Assiamah, Dr. Charles Amo-Agyemang and Dr. Abdul-Jalilu Ateku; contributed to selected activities under Phase One. Their involvement provides a foundation for the Department's continued engagement with the initiative and positions it to contribute to discussions on the priorities, academic activities and institutional arrangements for the proposed second phase.
Planning for the Next Phase of COMMAT
A key focus of the meeting was preparation for the proposed second phase of the project, referred to as COMMAT 2 or Strength 2. Participants discussed the anticipated funding application process and the need to align the next phase more closely with the academic priorities and institutional structures of participating universities.
One proposal under consideration was to strengthen the Department of Political Science's direct involvement in the Ghanaian component of the partnership, moving beyond the existing institutional arrangement through the Business School where appropriate. The meeting also explored the potential inclusion of Burundi as an additional African partner country. This could broaden the project's regional reach and create opportunities for comparative research on conflict, governance and post-conflict transformation.
Expanding Research and Training Priorities
Faculty members contributed ideas on how the proposed second phase could respond more directly to the needs of participating institutions and the communities they serve. Participants stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment before submitting the next funding proposal, particularly to identify gaps in infrastructure, equipment, academic resources and institutional capacity. Discussions also highlighted the need to broaden the project's thematic scope beyond general conflict studies. Proposed areas for further attention included decentralisation, local governance, the socioeconomic consequences of conflict, and maritime and other security challenges affecting national borders.
Participants further emphasised the importance of aligning academic programmes with regional labour-market needs to improve graduate employability. Innovative teaching approaches, including Participatory Video (PV), were also highlighted as potential avenues for promoting experiential learning and strengthening student engagement. Professor Ian Boxill's contributions to innovative teaching methods featured in these discussions.
Way Forward
The meeting identified several priorities for further work towards the proposed second phase. These included designating departmental coordinators, undertaking an institutional needs assessment, refining the project's thematic and training priorities, and continuing consultations with consortium partners ahead of the anticipated funding application deadline.
The engagement represents an opportunity for the Department of Political Science to build on its experience in Phase One, deepen its participation in international academic partnerships and contribute its expertise in governance, decentralisation, conflict transformation and public policy to collaborative research and capacity-building initiatives.
Through continued engagement with its African and European partners, the Department seeks to support academic exchange, strengthen institutional capacity and promote research and teaching that respond to the governance and development challenges facing African societies.