ANU African students visit Ghana High Commissioner to Australia

The Australian National University African Students Association (ANUASA) executive members paid a courtesy call on H.E High Commissioner Mr. Edwin Nii Adjei at the Ghana house on the 8th of February 2018. The purpose of the call was to introduce the association to the High Commissioner.

The team was led by their acting president Miss Eddah Lijoni from Malawi. The head of chancery Ms. Vivian K.A. Asempapa welcomed the students to the High Commission.

Ms Lijoni briefing the High Commissioner said, ANUASA’s main focus is student experience.

“Because African students are far away from home, it helps connect them with other African students to make their stay in Australia very successful,” Ms Lijoni said.

“We are also involved in other activities like the ANU enterprise which through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade gives scholarships to African students to do short courses.

“We help the incoming students to have that connection with their fellow African students during their 6 weeks short stay in Australia by organising excursions, barbecues and de-stressing from studies by having fun.”

The general secretary of the association Thabani Zondo added that, they are trying their possible best to raise the African flag high.

“We are making sure that Africa gets noticed through academic and social activities.”

H.E Adjei commended the association for creating a platform for the African students to be able to share ideas and also to showcase the rich and diverse culture of Africa to the Australian community enabling them to have a better understanding of our continent.

“For so many people outside Africa and in other parts of the world, they often don’t get to know Africa as they should…there are still many people who think that Africa is just one country and sometimes they don’t even comprehend the fact that we have different parts.

“Your association is in a very enviable position to be able to open the eyes of a lot of people in Australia to the realities of Africa the continent, so it is important as you interact with the community at the university and outside to always try to create this awareness of Africa.

“You are also in a way ambassadors of Africa and partners with the African missions here and the way you comport yourselves and try to work with the university community will in a way help to let people see Africa the way they should as people coming from there.

He further urged them that as students who have been giving the opportunity to acquire certain skills to be able to contribute to national development, it is important that they apply due diligence in their studies and gain all the knowledge and necessary skills which will enable them to make positive contributions back home in Africa.

Mr Bismark Adjei who is the treasurer of the association thanked the High Commissioner and his staff for the warm reception accorded them.