The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has eulogized the transformative work of the African Centers of Excellence (ACE) on its 10th anniversary.
The event, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, brought together distinguished academics, researchers, policymakers, and international development partners to celebrate a decade of remarkable achievement in higher education, research innovation, and regional collaboration.
Welcoming participants to Accra, President Mahama expressed profound pride in the program’s transformative impact on Africa’s development landscape.
“This celebration marks a decade of transformative peak research and regional collaboration, fostering innovation and growth.
“From advancing cutting-edge research in infectious diseases and renewable energy to driving innovation in agriculture and digital technology, ACE has become a beacon of regional integration and digital technology.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
Launched in 2014 with support from the World Bank and African governments, the ACE program was designed to promote excellence in postgraduate education and applied research.
By adopting a results-based approach, the program has elevated academic standards, increased research output, and attracted significant global partnerships, thereby opening doors for tens of thousands of African postgraduate students.
President Mahama noted that the ACE initiative has become synonymous with excellence in fields critical to Africa’s future — from infectious disease research and renewable energy to digital technology and agricultural innovations.
“ACE has become a beacon of corporation. Its results-based approach to tangible outcomes has not only elevated academic support-driven institutional reforms, attracted global partnerships and opportunities for tens of thousands of postgraduate students.
ACE has made universities in which they are situated networks of inter-investing mobility, and academic. The ACE initiative has facilitated a joint research curriculum and fostered innovation difficult to build in isolation.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
Ghana’s Pride: Centers of Global Excellence
President Mahama paid special tribute to the ACE centers hosted in Ghana, noting their immense contributions both nationally and across the West African sub-region.
He singled out the West African Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana as a key example of success.
According to him, WACCI has become a continental leader in advancing agricultural productivity through innovative research and training.
“WACCI has empowered local farmers through advanced crop science training and research. Graduates from the center are now leaders in agricultural research, making tangible impacts on food systems not only in Ghana but across the broader region.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
He also lauded the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), describing it as a “beacon of scientific research in the health sector.”
Focused on understanding and combating infectious diseases, WACCBIP has trained a diverse pool of scientists, significantly contributing to Africa’s fight against pandemics and emerging diseases.
“The center’s work in advancing diagnostic tools, studying pathogens, and developing therapies has been critical in safeguarding public health. Especially in an era where global health challenges are intensifying, the importance of such research cannot be overstated.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
Collaboration: The Key to Sustainable Growth
President Mahama emphasized that the success of the ACE program highlights a broader lesson for Africa — that sustainable development and innovation flourish through collaboration, not isolation.
“The ACE journey is a reminder that the future of our continent, and indeed the world, does not lie in working alone. Rather, it lies in uniting our efforts to unlock talent and build a resilient, skilled workforce ready to drive development across the African continent.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
He called for continued investments in collaborative initiatives, emphasizing that Africa must position itself to lead global conversations on innovation, research, and development.
“Our collective efforts are creating a future where African universities can compete globally, where African scientists can solve continental challenges, and where our youth can find opportunities that match their talents”.
HE president John Dramani Mahama
Acknowledging Challenges and Sustaining Momentum
Despite celebrating the many successes, President Mahama acknowledged concerns raised by some stakeholders about the sustainability of funding for the ACE centers.
He reassured the gathering that his government remains committed to supporting research and higher education development initiatives.
“We are aware that some lament the potential loss of funding from the USAID but I want to assure you that under my leadership, Ghana remains firmly committed to supporting the sustainability of these centers. Research and innovation are at the core of our development agenda.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
He hinted at ongoing efforts to create new funding partnerships with the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and international development agencies to ensure that the centers not only survive but thrive well into the future.
“Innovation must not be interrupted. Research must not be abandoned. Our future depends on it,” President Mahama added passionately.
Vision for the Next Decade
Looking ahead, President Mahama challenged the ACE community to aim even higher over the next decade.
He urged the centers to expand their scope, deepen regional partnerships, and ensure that the knowledge generated directly addresses Africa’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
“Our vision must be bolder. We must create more entrepreneurs, more innovators, and more problem-solvers. We must align research priorities with our development needs — from climate change adaptation to food security, from health innovation to digital transformation.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
He concluded by reiterating Ghana’s unwavering support for the ACE initiative and calling for a renewed spirit of commitment among African leaders, academia, and development partners.
“Let us seize this moment. Let us reaffirm our commitment to nurturing Africa’s brightest minds and building institutions that will serve as pillars of our continent’s future prosperity.”
HE president John Dramani Mahama
As President Mahama aptly put it, the story of ACE is a story of what is possible when Africa believes in itself, invests in its people, and works together across borders for the greater good.
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