The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, has entered into partnership with SEND GHANA, a policy, research and advocacy organisation to advance environmental governance, sustainable development, and capacity building in Ghana. This partnership is anchored in a shared commitment to advancing environmental governance, sustainable development, and capacity-building efforts in Ghana.
The collaboration was initiated following an engagement between the two bodies in November 2024.Both institutions identified key areas of synergy and expressed enthusiasm for a strategic alliance. The partnership is centered on five key areas of mutual interest: including joint fundraising for research and advocacy, collaborative research on environmental governance, internship opportunities for UESD postgraduate students, opportunities for SEND GHANA staff to pursue further studies at UESD, and expert collaboration in monitoring and evaluation.
To consolidate the partnership, a follow-up meeting was held at the UESD Council Chamber on July 7 where the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Nyarko-Sampson, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to the collaboration. He stated that the partnership aligns well with the University’s mission, and he envisions a relationship of shared value where both institutions contribute their strengths for mutual benefit.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the ongoing development of UESD’s first agricultural programme, currently undergoing accreditation, as part of the University’s commitment to offering only accredited and relevant academic programmes. He noted that UESD currently runs 27 undergraduates and 3 postgraduate programmes and is open to partnerships that provide scholarships to support student learning and development.
The Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong, expressed appreciation to both teams for the engaging dialogue. She described the meeting as inspiring and emphasised the importance of institutional partnerships in achieving UESD’s vision of being “the University of the future’.
The Chief Executive Officer of SEND, Ghana, Mr. Siapha Kamara underscored his organisation’s interest in environmental issues and the need for academic collaboration to deepen its impact. “While our interest in the environment is strong, we recognize the need for academic and technical expertise, which is why this partnership with UESD is so important,” he stated.
The Country Director of SEND GHANA, Ms. Harriet Nuamah Agyemang, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the openness of discussions and the shared desire to create lasting impact. To formalize the partnership, both institutions agreed that UESD will initiate the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide their collaborative efforts moving forward.
By: Eric Smart Anumah