Leaders of the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) from Kenya are fostering close ties with Universities across West Africa in order to improve and explore possible areas of collaboration. The University for Development Studies, the premier university in Northern Ghana is the first port of call by the group.

The High-Powered delegation comprising Vice-Chancellors from the Moi University, the Jaramogi Oringa Odenga University of Science and Technology, the Egerton University, all from Kenya and the leadership of the African Centres of Excellence arrived in Tamale on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 to commence their five-day working visit to UDS.
 
Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Prof. Gabriel Ayum Teye, expressed his delight and appreciation to the team for the visit and assured them of UDS’ commitment to the success of the intended collaborations. Prof. Teye briefed the team on the humble beginnings of UDS almost 30 years ago. He said what made the University stand out were its unique programmes, systems and pedagogies that earned it both local and international recognitions.
    
Part of the purpose of the visit, was to afford the delegation the opportunity to interact with management and staff of UDS and WACWISA to learn, exchange experiences and explore possible areas of collaboration so as to enhance, strengthen and replicate beneficial projects into their respective institutions and countries for the benefit of all.

On his part, Prof. Felix K. Abagale, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UDS and Director of WACWISA, recounted that back in 2018, he met with the Directors of African Centres of Excellence in Kenya where they initiated talks about possible collaborations with UDS. Subsequently, the desire for the collaboration increased as many institutions came on board. He therefore reiterated the need for all parties involved to sign a tripartite or multilateral agreement that will clearly define the terms and conditions governing collaborations of such nature.

Prof. Abagale added that areas of collaborations will include, but not limited to, exchange of staff, students and partnerships in executions of projects and programmes. The director of WACWISA thanked the team for the visit, acknowledging that, the fact that they had to travel from Kenya to UDS in Tamale and Nyankpala means they are serious with the partnership.
 
The leader of the delegation, Professor Stephen Agong Gaya, from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology thanked the Management of UDS and WACWISA for the warm reception and expressed his optimism for the success of the collaboration with UDS and WACWISA. He announced that some of his colleagues from other East African Universities are currently on their way to join in the 5 days discussions for collaboration with UDS. Prof. Stephen indicated that, his institution, African Centre for Excellence is on a project that is benefiting from the World Bank sponsorship which is gradually getting to an end. Knowing the benefits enshrined in the project, the organization decided to market the idea to the rest of Africa with the hope that collectively, African institutions will embrace, own and sustain the programme even when the World Bank leaves. In the light of this, Ghana and for that matter, UDS became the first point of call as it is identified as vibrant and a place of great potentials.  Prof. Stephen added that such institutional collaborations will go a long way to enhance the much desired African Unity as they team up to ensure good governance and progress in Agriculture, Education, Health delivery, Economic Management, engineering , research and other areas.

For his part, Prof. Issac Kibwage said the collaboration should not be limited to the agricultural sector, but should include Medicine and Pharmacology.  Issues of water and climate change are of great concern to the world today and Africa should not renege on them.

For her part, Prof. Monica Awuor Ayieko is worried about the global food insecurity, especially in Africa where people die every day due to hunger and malnutrition. She therefore advocates for domestication of insects for food. Adding that river flies are very nutritional and also medicinal. She called on UDS and other African institutions to research on that area and its marketing potentials for the benefit of all.
  
Professor, Stephen Tabiri, Dean of UDS School of Medicine also reiterated the need for collaboration in medical fields adding that such collaboration is very possible through AMPATH.

Also present at the meeting were: Prof. George Nyarko, Principal of the Nyakpala Campus, Prof.  Gordana Kranjac, Deputy Director of WACWISA, Prof. Courage Saaba, Director of  DIRA, Dr. Mohammed Hardi Shaibu, Director of Finance, Prof. Mahamoud Akudugu, Deputy Director of IIR and other key staff of the university.