Ghana’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Hajia Jamilatu Amadu Zongo, has paid a warm courtesy visit to a delegation from two Ghanaian universities, the University for Development Studies (UDS) and the Tamale Technical University who are currently in Dubai for a high-level training programme on Governance and Leadership.

The visit came as the Ghanaian teams participated in an intensive workshop on “Effective Governance for Council Members and Management Boards in Higher Education Institutions,” scheduled from February 2 to February 10, 2026. 

The programme coincided with Ghana’s heightened diplomatic presence in Dubai following the February 2026 visit of President John Dramani Mahama to attend the World Governments Summit 2026.

Welcoming the Deputy Ambassador, the Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the show of support. “We are deeply grateful to Her Excellency for taking time off her busy schedule to come over and check on us,” he said. “This gesture affirms Ghana’s commitment to strengthening higher education leadership and governance through international exposure.”

In a similar vein, the Vice-Chancellor of Tamale Technical University, Prof. Bashiru Ibn Imoro, used the opportunity to appeal for diplomatic support in building global academic bridges. “We would be grateful for the Mission’s assistance in helping our institutions establish relationships with reputable universities here in the UAE,” he noted, stressing that such partnerships would accelerate innovation, capacity building and student exchange.

The visit was facilitated by Arnold Mashud, a member of the UDS Governing Council, who underscored the importance of diplomatic–academic collaboration in advancing Ghana’s higher education agenda.

Addressing participants, Hajia Jamilatu Amadu Zongo said she was excited to see Ghanaian universities proactively seeking international exposure to enhance governance capacity. “It is refreshing to see our universities investing in effective governance for their leaders,” she remarked. An alumna of UDS herself, the Deputy Ambassador said she was particularly proud of the institution’s growing international footprint, adding that UDS’ recent strides resonated strongly within diplomatic circles.

Responding directly to the request from Tamale Technical University, the Deputy Ambassador assured both institutions that she would take the matter up in consultation with H.E. Hammed Rashid Tunde Ali, Ghana’s Ambassador to the UAE, to help facilitate partnerships with select international universities based in the Emirates. She emphasised that such collaborations are critical for knowledge exchange, innovation and global competitiveness.

The visit also echoed the broader message delivered by President John Dramani Mahama at the World Governments Summit, where he underscored Ghana’s readiness to deepen global partnerships as a pathway to shared prosperity, institutional reform and sustainable development, particularly through education, technology and governance.

Participants in the Dubai workshop are being taken through a comprehensive curriculum covering Foundations of Governance in Higher Education; Governance Frameworks and Regulatory Environments; Strategic Leadership and Decision-Making; Financial Governance and Resource Management; Academic Governance and Quality Assurance; Stakeholder Engagement and Communications; and Risk Governance in Higher Education, areas expected to strengthen leadership practice across Ghana’s tertiary institutions.

Story by: Abdul Hayi Moomen
(UDS Media)