By Issah Mohammed/Jibril Abdul Mumuni, GNA
Accra, May 29, GNA – The University of Ghana (UG) has launched a Global Alumni Network (UGA) mobile application to strengthen alumni engagement, enhance professional networking and promote mentorship opportunities for students and graduates worldwide.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Institutional Advancement Directorate, is expected to provide a unified digital platform to connect the University’s vast alumni community across generations and geographical locations.
The app was developed in-house by the University’s Information Technology Directorate, reflecting what officials described as the institution’s commitment to building sustainable solutions through internal expertise.
University authorities said the platform would continue to evolve based on user feedback and emerging needs, with plans to expand its features to improve user experience and engagement.
The launch, held at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre at the University of Ghana, forms part of efforts to harness the potential of the University’s global alumni network to support teaching, research and innovation.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice-Chancellor, described the introduction of the app as a consequential moment in the University’s history, signalling a firm institutional commitment to reconnecting with its alumni base globally.
The University’s alumni, she noted, remained critical to its growth and transformation agenda, adding that they served as mentors, ambassadors, partners and contributors to institutional development.
“Our alumni are the mentors our students need before they leave campus. They are the ambassadors who validate in the real world the education the University provides,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the app would enable alumni to easily register, verify their status and connect with former classmates, year groups and professional networks, irrespective of their location.
She added that the platform would facilitate mentorship and networking initiatives by linking experienced professionals with students and young graduates seeking guidance and career development opportunities.
“Through features such as searchable alumni directories, event registration and tailored communication channels, the app also aims to support collaboration, knowledge-sharing and lifelong engagement between the University and its graduates,” she said.
Professor Appiah Amfo observed that for years, alumni engagement had been largely informal and fragmented, often relying on platforms such as social media or WhatsApp groups, which lacked central coordination and reliable data.
The UGA Network app addressed this gap by providing a verified, structured and sustainable system to keep alumni connected to the University and to one another, she added.
Professor Gordon Abekah-Nkrumah, the Director, Institutional Advancement Directorate, said the launch marked the beginning of a renewed relationship between the University and its alumni.
He noted that the application was not merely a technological tool but a strategic platform to foster a lifelong bond built on service, contribution and shared identity.
“For many years, alumni engagement has been pursued through fragmented efforts. Today, we are laying the foundation for a more connected, coordinated and vibrant alumni ecosystem,” he said.
Prof Abekah-Nkrumah emphasised that the platform would support a wide range of functions, including mentorship programmes, networking opportunities, data management, fundraising and institutional communication.
He encouraged alumni to actively participate by registering on the app, reconnecting with colleagues and contributing to the growth of the University.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Issah Mohammed/Jibril Abdul Mumuni