By: Kwame Bediako
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on Thursday, April 24, 2025 officially launched its new regional office in Ghana. The new office will oversee collaborations not only in Ghana but also in neighboring countries like Cameroon and Nigeria, which are recognized for their growing educational potential.
The launch was attended by DAAD President, Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee, who emphasized the importance of this initiative in fostering international cooperation amidst global challenges.
Prof. Mukher outlined that the new DAAD office in Accra marks an important milestone in Germany’s commitment to academic and scientific cooperation with West Africa.
“This marks an important milestone in our commitment to strengthening academic and scientific cooperation between Germany and West Africa. We are gathered here at a time when the world seems to be in turmoil”; Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee said.
The DAAD, celebrating its 100-year jubilee, has supported over 3 million scholars worldwide, building bridges through academic excellence and soft diplomacy even during times of crises.
“Since its founding in 1925, the DAD has supported over 3 million scholars worldwide. Our global network comprises almost 60 offices around 400 teaching and research posts at universities on all continents and a huge network of alumni who are building bridges across borders and oceans,preserving channels for dialogue even or particularly under challenging circumstances”; Prof. Joybrato Mukher said.
Since establishing its presence in Ghana over two decades ago, the DAAD has actively contributed to the growth of academic exchange in the country. Prof. Mukherjee noted that Germany is now the third most popular study destination for Ghanaian students, with the number of DAAD scholarships for Ghanaians increasing more than ten fold in the last 25 years.
“Germany is now the third most popular study destination, as we heard already, for Ghanaian students, out numbered only, out ranked I should say, only by the US and the UK, and the number of DAAD scholarships for Ghanaians has increased more than ten fold in the last 25 years”; Prof. Joybrato Mukherjee affirmed.
The new regional office aims to further facilitate access to German higher education, strengthen university partnerships, and support the expanding network of students, researchers, and alumni across West Africa.
Approximately 13,500 students from Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon are currently enrolled in German universities, and this number continues to grow steadily. The office will serve as a central contact point to facilitate collaboration among universities and researchers in the region.
It will provide academic advisory services, foster institutional partnerships, and act as a hub for regional interconnections, thereby supporting the ongoing development of higher education in West Africa.
The new office reflects Germany’s broader strategy to build resilient global knowledge networks, promote sustainable academic exchanges, and address regional and global challenges through science diplomacy and collaboration.
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