Education

US govt reaffirms committment to foster partnership between American and Ghanaian varsities

The U.S. government has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitate partnerships among American and Ghanaian universities, as well as to expand academic opportunities for Ghanaian youth to study in the United States. 

The visiting Assistant Secretary for Education and Cultural Affairs, Marie Royce met with the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah last Monday, to reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment.

She had earlier met with government officials, private sector representatives, local entrepreneurs, alumni from U.S. exchange programs, and university administrators to promote the United States of America’s’ cultural and educational diplomacy efforts, and highlight support for entrepreneurship in Ghana. 

The Assistant Secretary also met with heads of public and private universities and administrators, and private sector representatives to deepen educational linkages between the United States and Ghana, to further strengthen women’s economic empowerment.

Last Tuesday, Assistant Secretary Royce formally launched the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme, a new initiative supporting women entrepreneurs around the world. 

AWE will provide online education resources, foster networks that support access to mentorships, and connect women through existing exchange programmes. 

The inaugural cohort will feature women in 26 countries, including 10 in Africa:  Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  AWE is a part of the U.S. Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, a whole-of-government effort to advance global women’s economic empowerment established in February 2019. 

Following the launch of AWE, the Assistant Secretary visited an African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP)-supported and women-owned organic foods company, Kroms, and met with the founder and CEO Georgina Coomson. 

Launched by the U.S. Department of State in July 2010, AWEP assists women entrepreneurs across sub-Saharan Africa who are transforming their societies through economic development and social advocacy in their communities.

Assistant Secretary Royce delivered a keynote address to 40 exchange programme alumni from 14 African countries at an Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminar on women’s entrepreneurship on Wednesday, June 26. 

Under the theme: ‘Strengthening Business and Trade for Women Entrepreneurs in Africa’, participant-led sessions addressed topics such as mentoring, access to capital, business expansion best practices, and overcoming barriers to women in business. 

 U.S. Ambassador Stephanie Sullivan said, “We are honoured that Assistant Secretary Royce met with many Ghanaian women entrepreneurs, and that Ghana was chosen as the country from which to launch the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme.  The Assistant Secretary’s visit underscores the United States of America’s key priority to promote entrepreneurship, private sector growth, and economic development here in Ghana as around the world.” 

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