GFZA CEO leads Ghanaian delegation to Ohio State University to deepen Ghana–US partnership

Dr. Mary Awusi, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), led a delegation to The Ohio State University (OSU) on Tuesday. This 12-member group aimed to strengthen the Columbus-Accra Sister City relationship. They also sought to expand academic and research collaboration between Ghana and the United States.

The visit included representatives from key Ghanaian institutions committed to building partnerships with OSU. Dr. Kaya Şahin, Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs, welcomed the delegation. He emphasized OSU’s dedication to global collaboration and its long-standing ties with Africa.

Dr. Ousman Kobo, Director of the Centre for African Studies, facilitated discussions during the visit. He highlighted OSU's interest in Ghana and its work across Africa. He stressed the importance of sustained institutional ties and welcomed further cooperation.

In her speech, Dr. Awusi shared Ghana’s vision to become a competitive hub for manufacturing and innovation. She invited OSU to contribute through joint initiatives in research, technology transfer, and policy development. “We believe OSU’s strengths can accelerate Ghana’s industrial transformation,” she stated.

Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Advisor to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, joined the delegation as well. She discussed the importance of long-term educational partnerships for national development.

OSU faculty presented ongoing projects in health equity, agriculture, business, and nursing—areas that align with Ghana's priorities. The delegation expressed strong interest in collaborating across these fields.

A highlight of the visit was reaffirming ties with Columbus and announcing a new partnership between the Centre for African Studies and Heart of Ohio Family Health. This partnership strengthens the growing bond between Ghana and Ohio.

As the visit concluded, Dr. Awusi expressed optimism about future collaborations. She described this engagement as a “powerful step forward” in strengthening connections between Ghana and Ohio. “This reflects our desire to build a prosperous future through shared knowledge,” she said.