The High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda to Ghana on Monday, 9 February 2026, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, and the University Management to deepen relations and explore practical collaboration between UPSA and higher education institutions in Rwanda.
The delegation was led by H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Ghana with concurrent accreditation to Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Togo, Benin and Liberia, accompanied by Mr. Matthew Rwahigi, Executive Assistant to the High Commissioner.
The Vice-Chancellor received the delegation together with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Selase Asamoah; the Registrar, Mrs. Lorraine Gyan; the Director of Finance, Mr. Nicholas Nelson Adjei; the Director of Public Affairs, Ms Aba Lokko; the Director of the Centre for International Education and Collaborations (CIEC), Dr Edwin Ayernor; and the Deputy Director of Administration, Dr Leticia Akyeampong.
The engagement formed part of efforts to strengthen the rapport between UPSA and Rwanda’s higher education sector, while also reinforcing cooperation between the High Commission and the University.
Discussions focused on building structured exchange programmes, deepening academic collaboration, expanding partnerships for community service, and advancing skills development for students, with emphasis on initiatives that are responsive to labour market needs and societal priorities.
In his remarks, Prof. Mawutor commended Rwanda’s progress across key areas in national development and acknowledged the value of learning from governance models that prioritise discipline, innovation and measurable outcomes.
He referenced Rwanda’s development journey and the leadership lessons it offers, noting that such examples reinforce UPSA’s commitment to producing ethically grounded, future-ready graduates and to pursuing partnerships that create real opportunities for students, faculty and communities.
He further noted that His Excellency Paul Kagame’s purposeful and impactful leadership offers important lessons for African institutions striving for excellence.
H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi commended the UPSA leadership for the transformative impact on Ghana’s higher education system and encouraged the University to sustain its focus on practical, problem-solving education rooted in African realities, and highlighted Rwanda’s emphasis on homegrown solutions, a strong spirit of volunteerism, and deliberate systems for tracking graduates into the labour market to strengthen employability outcomes and inform academic programming.
She reflected on the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Rwanda, acknowledging Ghana’s historic solidarity and the importance of African cooperation in shaping a safer, more prosperous continent.
The High Commissioner also underscored Rwanda’s commitment to continental integration, referencing Rwanda’s ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol and encouraging broader alignment to unlock trade, mobility and skills opportunities for Africa’s youth. Emphasising shared African identity and purpose, she remarked, “I am an African first, and simply reside at home in Rwanda, or anywhere else on the Continent.”
The engagement concluded with a shared commitment to translate the discussions into clear, actionable collaboration through UPSA’s Centre for International Education and Collaborations (CIEC), including the identification of priority partner institutions in Rwanda and the development of a structured roadmap for exchanges, service-learning and youth skills initiatives.
UPSA invites its Faculties, Centres, student leadership and relevant units to submit partnership concepts and community-focused proposals that can be developed into joint programmes with Rwanda, particularly in student and faculty mobility, academic collaboration, professional skills development and volunteer-led community service, as the University positions itself to expand meaningful pan-African partnerships that deliver measurable impact.
