President Mahama unveils 1,000 scholarships for ECOWAS students to study in Ghana
As West Africa marks five decades of regional cooperation, Ghana is turning celebration into action by extending a powerful hand of academic opportunity to its neighbours. In a bold commitment to regional unity, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana will offer 1,000 university scholarships to students from across the ECOWAS sub-region, positioning education as the cornerstone of deeper integration.
The announcement was made during the official launch of the 50th anniversary celebrations of ECOWAS, held in Accra on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Themed “Celebrating 50 Years of West African Unity and Integration,” the event brought together heads of state, top government officials, and ECOWAS Commission representatives to reflect on the bloc’s past achievements and future direction.
“To mark this moment and strengthen regional bonds, Ghana is offering a thousand scholarships to tertiary students from across the ECOWAS sub-region to study in our universities,” President Mahama said at the gathering.
Framing the initiative as a bold and necessary investment in the next generation, the President described it as a tangible effort to cultivate solidarity and understanding among young West Africans.
“This is not just a gesture,” he said. “It is a bridge to a future where our young people will grow up seeing each other not as foreigners but as partners.”
He further emphasized that diplomacy must evolve beyond conflict resolution and instead be actively harnessed to foster peace, inclusiveness, and progress. He reiterated the central role of youth empowerment and education in creating enduring regional bonds.
“Our drive for integration through diplomacy must extend to economic, social and cultural areas,” he said. “Whether it is harmonising trade negotiations or advancing cooperation in education and health, our diplomatic tools must always work in the service of our people.”
The scholarships will be rolled out through Ghana’s public universities and coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. The initiative is set to deepen cross-border academic exchange and foster long-term collaboration among young leaders across West Africa.
Founded in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was created to promote regional economic integration and political coordination. As the community reaches its golden jubilee, President Mahama called on member states to go beyond rhetoric and embrace practical actions that make the bloc’s vision more meaningful to its citizens—particularly its youth.
