Georgia Southern Hosts Parliament Members from Ghana

February 25, 2014

Georgia Southern Hosts Parliament Members from Ghana

Georgia Southern University hosted three honorary members of the Parliament of Ghana on campus this week as part of an organized training tour studying democratic governance in the Georgia Assembly and other state institutions.

Coordinated by a committee led by College of Business Administration faculty member William Amponsah, Ph.D., and Russell Keen, vice president for Government Relations and Community Engagement, the Ghana delegation included the Honorable Emmanuel K. Bedzrah, chairman of the Government Assurances Committee, the Honorable John O.K. Bless and Dr. Emmanuel Akrofi-Tibo, assistant clerk to the committee. 

The team traveled to the United States specifically to learn from Georgia institutions about oversight, ethics and accountability in government operations.  In addition to touring Georgia Southern’s campus, the delegation also met with Provost Jean Bartels, representatives from the Office of International Programs and from the City of Statesboro, Mayor Jan Moore. 

“The most interesting thing so far that we have seen is how this area is a University community. In Ghana, we don’t have such a thing. We are a new democracy,” said Akrofi-Tibo.

 “We are here to learn about your institution and what makes your government and democracy work. Everyone is looking up to America and we want to learn and also improve upon our working parliament,” said Bedzrah.

“I’m impressed by the number of programs offered and the volume of students at Georgia Southern University. International students, including African students come here from all over the world. When I get back to Ghana, I will encourage more and more people to come and learn here,” said O.K. Bless.

The nation of Ghana has demonstrated keen interest in advancing democratic principles in its development strategies.  It is often referred to as the torchbearer of African democracy.  As a result, the nation was rewarded by President Obama in July 2009 with his first visit to a Sub-Saharan African nation as President.

Following the visit to Statesboro, the Ghanaian delegation will travel to the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government for further training and then proceed to Atlanta to the Georgia Assembly and related institutions.