The German Academic Exchange Service has hosted a matchmaking event in Accra, bringing together a delegation of 21 senior leaders from German universities and representatives from a broad range of Ghanaian higher education institutions.

The event marked a key moment in a week-long visit aimed at strengthening academic cooperation between Germany and Ghana.

The delegation which is made up of university presidents, vice-presidents and chancellors, spent several days visiting universities, research centres and innovation hubs in Accra and Kumasi.

Organisers say the matchmaking session was designed to widen engagement, opening discussions to more Ghanaian institutions and creating new opportunities for collaboration.

Speaking to JoyNews, DAAD Secretary General Kai Sicks said both countries were keen to expand cooperation, despite growing funding pressures.

“German universities are very interested in furthering collaboration with universities in Ghana. We are very willing to explore the opportunities that exist. In both countries, however, funding is becoming more challenging than before, which means we need to focus on strong, high-quality projects and identify areas where we can work together to explore new ways of attracting funding.”

He added that closer ties could also support employment opportunities for students in both countries.

“It is also important to know each other well, which is why building personal connections is essential. The number of students from Ghana studying in Germany has increased over the years.

Currently, there are approximately 3,000 Ghanaians studying at German universities, which is a significant figure. This contributes to employment opportunities for students in Germany, as well as for those who return to Ghana.”

Ghana has become one of Germany’s key academic partners in West Africa, with partnerships between universities in both countries nearly tripling in recent years. Student mobility has also continued to rise.

Ghana’s higher education sector is also expanding, with public, technical and private institutions playing a growing role in teaching, research and innovation. Organisers say the event aimed to reflect this diversity while promoting more inclusive and strategically aligned partnerships.

Participants were given the opportunity to present their institutions, discuss shared research interests and explore collaboration in areas such as joint research, postgraduate training, student exchange and innovation.

The event also highlighted the work of the DAAD Regional Office in Accra, which supports cooperation between German and West African universities by providing funding guidance, facilitating partnerships and advising students and researchers on study opportunities in Germany.