The Alumni Group of the University of Bradford has paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) in Accra, to officially welcome him. Mr Paul Adjei took office in February 2025, and as custom demands, the Ghana chapter of the group extended warm courtesies to him in a meeting that combined strategic collaboration and a shared vision for excellence in education.

Leading the delegation to the GETFund Secretariat to meet with Mr Adjei, Dr Joseph Danquah, a distinguished academic at the University of Bradford, UK, praised the Administrator, extolling his bold vision for the secretariat, including leading reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in the award of scholarships, and working with government to introduce a new legislative framework for the Fund.

“The alumni group has enjoyed a steady relationship with GETFund, working with past administrators to enhance the image of the Fund while collaborating effectively on mutually beneficial educational assistantships,” Dr Danquah narrated the purpose of the visit.

He continued, saying, “So today, we have come to officially welcome you and wish you godspeed and a successful tenure, as you begin your journey as the GETFund Administrator and introduce the University of Bradford Alumni Group, Ghana chapter as a vibrant community dedicated to supporting Ghanaian students studying in the UK, particularly those on GETFund scholarship.”

The delegation was warmly received by the secretariat, with the new Administrator leading the handshake pleasantries. He expressed delight in the group’s visit, conveying enthusiasm about the potential for continued and deeper engagement between GETFund and the Bradford alumni community.

A key highlight of the visit was a briefing on a special mentorship programme that has been running over a years to groom GETFund scholarship beneficiaries studying in the University of Bradford. This initiative was inspired by the vision of Professor Vishanth Weerakkody, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Bradford, who has consistently championed student development, internationalisation, and alumni engagement. The programme has been actively implemented and spearheaded by Dr Danquah, who also serves as its patron. It is one of several initiatives of the Alumni Group that offer academic, well-being, and emotional support to students studying in the University of Bradford.

“Life abroad is an entirely different experience, especially for students, many of whom are living independently of their parents for the first time. The mentorship programme aims to offer support to every student funded by GETFund and studying at Bradford, making them feel connected and empowered to succeed,” Dr Danquah shared, emphasising the power of experience-sharing.
“We share real-life experiences with students, helping them steer the academic system and prepare them to return home not just as international scholars, but with strong global perspectives and enhanced leadership skills.”

The new GETFund Administrator commended the group for their proactive approach and reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to enhancing the experiences of Ghanaian students abroad. He praised both Professor Weerakkody’s institutional leadership and Dr Danquah’s practical execution of the mentorship initiative, describing it as a powerful model for student success and reintegration. Mr Adjei acknowledged the importance of mentorship, branding it as “a good pathway to a smooth transition from the classroom to the staffroom.” He vowed to explore ways to formally support such programmes.

In November 2024, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK, recognising Dr Danquah’s commitment to education and mentorship, appointed him Academic Adviser to provide leadership to the Commission on matters relating to education. This additional role has further positioned him as a strong link between Ghanaian students and the global academic community.

Deda Ofosu Dote, Ing William Lartey Darko, Abigail Obuobi, and Papa Kwadwo Abebrese, who lead the Ghana chapter of the alumni group, were part of the delegation. They took turns to share their readiness to collaborate with GETFund in organising educational forums and reintegration workshops for returning scholars and provide relevant career guidance consistent with the demands of the job market or job creation.

GETFund was established by the Government of Ghana in 2000 to train talents that would drive the country’s socio-economic growth agenda. It has, over the years, granted thousands of scholarships to students to pursue various higher-level education programmes, including medicine, pharmacy, and engineering.

Mr Paul Adjei is expected to enjoy an overwhelming wave of support from the management and staff of GETFund. In a Facebook post, the enthusiastic staff stated their willingness to work with the new Administrator. “With his extensive experience in public administration, as well as his work with international development partners, Mr. Adjei’s leadership is expected to drive the Fund’s commitment to supporting the delivery of quality education in Ghana. We look forward to working together to achieve our shared goals.”