By Rihana Adam
Accra, Feb.2, GNA- The newly elected leadership of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU) has pledged to work diligently to sustain the legacy of the Union and strengthen its role as a credible continental voice for African students.
Mr Enyinnaya Osikenyi Osisiogu, President of AASU, said the role came with huge responsibilities but the new administration was committed to preserving and building on the achievements of its predecessors.
“We are going to work very hard to sustain this union, stepping into the shoes our predecessors are stepping out of is not going to be easy, but with commitment from the new leadership, we will be able to sustain the legacy,” he said at the inauguration ceremony on Friday.
Mr Osisiogu expressed appreciation to members and stakeholders for their support and participation in the leadership transition ceremony, noting that unity would be key to the Union’s success.
The AASU President announced that the new leadership would immediately begin efforts to revitalise inactive sub-regional and national student unions to ensure their full participation in the activities of the Secretariat.
“We will ensure that every sub-regional union that is not active becomes active and that national student bodies contribute meaningfully to the work of this great Union,” he said.
Mr Divine Edem Kwadzodeh, the Secretary-General of AASU, expressed profound gratitude to the Government and people of Ghana for their enduring support to the Union for nearly five decades.
“For almost fifty years, Ghana has provided institutional support, protected the legitimacy of AASU and stood by the Union across generations of leadership, even during difficult times,” he noted.
Mr Kwadzodeh described Ghana’s support as a reflection of its strong Pan-African values, belief in young people and commitment to organised student participation as a driver of Africa’s progress.
He particularly commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its diplomatic guidance and practical facilitation, which had sustained AASU as a functional continental body.
The Secretary-General also acknowledged members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of embassies, international organisations and development partners, saying their presence underscored the importance of student voices in continental and global discourse.
He said: “Today’s ceremony marks a transition, but more importantly, it marks continuity.”
Mr Kwadzodeh paid tribute to the outgoing executive committee and Secretariat for their stewardship, saying: “We are not inheriting an empty house, but a strong foundation upon which we intend to build with courage and conviction.”
Reflecting on AASU’s history, he said the Union had served as an organised voice of African students, from the anti-colonial struggle and apartheid era to current debates on education quality, mobility, climate justice, digital transformation and democratic governance.
He said the new leadership would prioritise student participation in education policy, skills development linked to the labour market, gender equity, climate action and democratic governance.
Mr Kwadzodeh assured stakeholders that the Union would deepen collaboration with African governments, continental institutions, the United Nations system, universities and development partners, guided by the interests and voices of African students.
“To African students, this Union belongs to you, its relevance depends on your participation, its strength lies in your unity and its future will be shaped by your ideas and commitment,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe