In a bid to provide more educational opportunities for Ghanaians, the US embassy has commissioned a new American Corner in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region.
The initiative aims to empower Ghanaian youth, with over 6,400 students reported to have studied in the US during the last academic year.
The American Corner, an information space, offers free resources such as WiFi, computer access, and engaging programmes on various topics.
The Kumasi branch, joining two existing spaces in Accra and over 600 globally, will serve as a hub for science and technology, women’s empowerment, US study opportunities, and entrepreneurship.
“We believe in empowering young Ghanaians to take the lead in shaping the future of Ghana and to deepen their friendship with the people of the US,” said Virginia Palmer, the US ambassador to Ghana on Wednesday (15 November). “Young people across Ghana are working every day to make a difference – By promoting economic opportunity, political participation, public health, peace, and community building”.
Emphasizing the strategic choice of Kumasi, Ambassador Palmer noted the region’s significance as the “heartland of West Africa” and its rich history of ties to the U.S. The facility is expected to foster innovation, with plans for educational exchanges between the U.S. and Ghana.
“It’s not by chance that we chose Kumasi as our first space outside of Accra. [It is] the home to numerous important universities, businesses, and even historic ties to the US. The city is full of new ideas and innovation. We’re also proud to have a vibrant community of alumni from our U.S. government exchange programmes here,” she said.
Kumasi Mayor, Samuel Pyne, expressed optimism about the potential for educational collaborations, revealing plans for student exchanges between Ghanaian and U.S. universities. The American Corner is poised to contribute to the development of essential skills and educational opportunities for the local community.
“Universities in the US want Ghanaian students because the Ghanaians usually show conduct that management of the universities want their students to emulate. We are at the preliminary stages to get more students to have exchanges at some universities in the U.S.,” he said.
The commissioning of the American Corner marks a significant step in strengthening ties and fostering educational growth between Ghana and the United States.
