Germany Deepens Academic Diplomacy in West Africa, as DAAD Opens Regional Office in Accra, Ghana. By Raymond Enoch
In a strategic move to strengthen academic and scientific collaboration across West African States, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has officially launched its new regional office in Accra, Ghana. The office will serve as a hub for academic cooperation between Germany and three key countries in the region: Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, speaking at the launch in Accra, underscored the strategic importance of the new office. “By 2050, Africa will account for a quarter of the global population. West Africa, in particular, is seeing an explosion in student numbers, making it a vital partner for Germany and Europe. This regional office strengthens our science diplomacy and supports German foreign policy in a geopolitically sensitive zone.”
The new office is one of only two DAAD offices in sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to the continent as a key academic partner. Over 13,500 students from Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria are currently studying in Germany, and more than 130 academic partnerships are already in place with institutions in these countries.
Germany has long been a top destination for Ghanaian students, and DAAD’s footprint in Ghana dates back to 2000. Over the past 25 years, DAAD scholarships for Ghanaian students have increased tenfold, with academic collaborations between the two nations nearly tripling in the last decade.
The Accra office will act as a central point for students, researchers, and universities seeking guidance, collaboration, and access to Germany’s academic landscape. All advisory services will be provided free of charge, and inquiries can be directed to Senior Programme Officer Felix Barnes at barnes@daad.de or through www.daad-ghana.org.
With this move, DAAD is not only fostering academic excellence but also reinforcing the role of science as a vital tool in foreign and security policy.
