By James Amoh Junior
Accra, July 24, GNA–The European Union(EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Rune Skinnbach, has urged 2026 Erasmus scholars to leverage their European educational experience to drive national development and strengthen Africa-Europe partnerships.
He also encouraged them to serve as bridges between Africa and Europe by fostering stronger partnerships through education, innovation, cultural exchange and people-to-people cooperation.
Ambassador Skinnbach said the scholars were not only pursuing academic excellence but also strengthening people-to-people ties between Ghana, Africa and Europe through education, innovation and cross-cultural exchange.
He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for young Ghanaians, describing international academic exchange as a strategic investment in human capital, innovation and stronger Ghana-European Union relations.
Ambassador Skinnbach made the remarks at a pre-departure orientation for Ghanaian beneficiaries of the 2026 Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarships in Accra, where students preparing to pursue postgraduate studies across leading European universities were encouraged to excel academically, embrace cultural diversity and return home equipped to contribute to Ghana’s development.
The Erasmus+ programme is the European Union’s flagship initiative supporting education, training, youth and sport through international cooperation and academic mobility.
Since 2014, thousands of Ghanaian students and academic staff have benefited from opportunities to study, teach and undertake professional training in Europe under various Erasmus programmes.
In 2026 alone, 446 Ghanaians were selected under various Erasmus mobility schemes, including 28 students admitted to the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme, with 14 receiving full scholarships.
The programme promotes sustained engagement through an active alumni network, enabling former beneficiaries to mentor prospective applicants, strengthen professional collaboration and deepen educational and development cooperation between Ghana and the European Union.
Ambassador Skinnbach encouraged the beneficiaries to approach the opportunity with determination and an open mind, stressing that studying in different European countries would expose them to diverse perspectives, innovative ideas and lifelong professional networks.
The Ambassador urged the students to become worthy ambassadors of Ghana by demonstrating excellence, integrity and respect for cultural diversity throughout their academic journeys.
He said while the programme demanded hard work and resilience, it also offered unique opportunities to develop critical thinking, leadership skills and international experience that would prove invaluable throughout their careers.
Mr. Skinnbach noted that the European Union remained committed to deepening educational cooperation with Ghana through programmes that promoted academic mobility, research collaboration and people-to-people partnerships.
Ms. Sandra Retzer, Country Director of GIZ Ghana, described the scholarship as the beginning of a transformative journey that would shape the academic, professional and personal lives of the beneficiaries.
She said studying in Europe would expose the students to world-class educational institutions, cutting-edge research, multicultural learning environments and international networks that extended far beyond the classroom.
Mrs. Retzer urged the scholars to remain curious, adaptable, and resilient, noting that the ability to learn from different cultures and perspectives was becoming increasingly important in addressing today’s global challenges.
She encouraged them to maintain strong connections with Ghana throughout their studies and to apply the knowledge and expertise they acquired to support national development upon their return.
The Country Director reaffirmed GIZ’s commitment to supporting academic mobility through the Study in Europe initiative, which provides guidance to prospective students while promoting stronger educational partnerships between Ghana and European institutions.
Nana Aba Anamoah, Ghanaian media personality and Erasmus+ Goodwill Ambassador, urged the beneficiaries to make the most of every opportunity available to them during their studies abroad.
She encouraged them to embrace new cultures, build meaningful friendships and professional relationships and remain focused on achieving academic excellence.
She reminded the students that they would not only be pursuing personal ambitions but also representing Ghana on the international stage, making it important to uphold the country’s values through discipline, hard work and integrity.
Ms. Anamoah further advised them to remain connected to their roots and to use the knowledge, skills and experiences gained abroad to support innovation and development back home.
The orientation formed part of activities organised under the Study in Europe initiative to prepare scholarship recipients for life and learning in Europe.
The session provided practical guidance on travel arrangements, cultural adaptation, academic expectations, student welfare and opportunities for networking before the beneficiaries departed for their respective universities.
Participants also interacted with alumni of the Erasmus programme, who shared first-hand experiences about studying in Europe, adapting to different educational systems and making the most of international academic opportunities.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme enables students to pursue integrated master’s degrees delivered jointly by multiple universities across different European countries, allowing beneficiaries to study in more than one country while earning internationally recognised qualifications.
The programme has become one of the European Union’s flagship initiatives for promoting excellence in higher education, research collaboration and international academic partnerships.
For many Ghanaian students, it has opened access to specialised programmes, advanced research facilities and global professional networks that might otherwise have remained inaccessible.
Beyond academic achievement, the initiative also seeks to nurture globally minded graduates capable of addressing complex development challenges through innovation, collaboration and evidence-based solutions.
GNA
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong