UEW Delegation Engages RUFORUM on Transformative Education and Agricultural Innovation
A delegation from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, has undertaken a strategic visit to the Secretariat of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture at Makerere University.
The UEW delegation, which included Prof. Benjamin Ghansah, Dr. Francis Adarkwah, Dr. Stephen Twumasi Annan and Ms. Florence Esi Nyieku, was received by RUFORUM officials, who provided an in-depth briefing on the organisation’s evolution, continental footprint and growing influence in shaping higher education across Africa.
Central to the engagement was a shared recognition of the changing role of African universities—from traditional centres of learning to active drivers of socio-economic transformation. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for institutions to align academic programmes with industry demands, innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in response to rising youth unemployment across the continent.
The RUFORUM Secretariat underscored its strategic focus on harmonising university curricula with Africa’s Science and Education Agendas while leveraging its extensive experience in implementing development-oriented projects across multiple countries.
A compelling illustration of transformative education was presented by Prof. Okori, who cited an initiative where ten graduates successfully supported over 1,300 farmers, generating improved cash flows of between USD 200 and 300. The example reinforced the potential of targeted educational interventions to drive sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.
In a strong show of commitment to collaboration, RUFORUM expressed keen interest in facilitating a partnership between UEW and the University of Cape Coast to champion this development-oriented model in Ghana. The Secretariat further pledged to share training resources and support efforts to redesign graduate training around innovation and entrepreneurship.
The engagement presents multiple strategic gains for UEW including access to cutting-edge curriculum frameworks, expanded research and collaboration opportunities, and enhanced capacity-building prospects for both staff and students. It also reinforces the university’s positioning as a development-focused institution capable of addressing critical national and regional challenges.
The visit marks a pivotal moment in UEW’s broader strategy to deepen international partnerships and reposition higher education as a catalyst for innovation, sustainability and economic transformation across Africa.
