A Ghana Development Studies Programme

The California State University and the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, DC have initiated an education programme that will in the coming months hold potential benefits for the University of Ghana, Legon, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi and other policy and development institutions such as the Ghana Arbitration Centre, The Centre for Democratic Development and others.

Currently in Ghana to develop the institutional base for this are two senior faculty members of the California State University, Dr. Gary Cretser, professor and Department Chair, Behaviour Sciences and Ms. Ying Cao, Associate Director of the University's International Centre.

According to the Head of Public Affairs Department at the Embassy, Mr. Ivor Agyeman-Duah who also worked with the University on the project, the education programme will most certainly start in the summer of 2004. " The academic focus would involve the politics and economic development of Ghana and West Africa as well as the society and culture of Ghana. It will also afford exchange programme opportunities for students and faculty and also research linkages and summer school courses.'

Dubbed The Ghana Development Studies Programme, this will be the second time the twenty-three -campus university is venturing into Africa after it suspended its programme at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare.

While in Ghana, the University officials will meet with the President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Nana Dr. S. K. B. Asante who is also the Chairman of the Ghana Arbitration Centre; the Director of the Institute of African Studies, Legon, Prof. Takyiwaa Manuh, Deans of the Faculty of Law and the Ghana Law School, The Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development , Prof. E. Gyimah-Boadi and in Kumasi with the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Kwesi Andam.

During a courtesy call on the Acting Ambassador Mr. Isaac Aggrey before they left for Ghana, Dr. Greg Young, professor of International Economic Law at the University's College of Business thanked the Embassy for co-initiating the programme.

Mr. Aggrey expressed the hope that when the programme starts next year it will afford both the California State University and the beneficiary institutions in Ghana the opportunity to expand their knowledge base in a global world.