The Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), University of Ghana, has officially launched its year-long 20th Anniversary celebrations to mark its two decades of excellence in migration research, postgraduate training and policy engagement across Africa. The anniversary launch brought together key national and international stakeholders to reflect on the Centre’s contributions and reaffirm its relevance to migration governance, development and regional integration.
Held at the ISSER Conference Facility, the launch was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, with the Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, serving as Special Guest of Honour. The celebrations are being held under the theme “Celebrating Migration Scholarship, Partnerships and the Future of Mobility.”
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak called for a balanced and humane approach to migration governance, stressing the need to harmonise national security imperatives with the human dimensions of migration. He noted that migration governance must go beyond border control to recognise the lived realities, vulnerabilities and aspirations of migrants.
The Minister acknowledged that the Centre’s extensive body of research on migration has deepened his understanding of migration issues, particularly within the context of internal security and national governance. He emphasised the importance of evidence-based policymaking and described CMS as a critical bridge between academic research and policy action.
Hon. Muntaka further highlighted the role of focused research centres in national development frameworks, noting that CMS’s sustained research and policy engagement have contributed to positioning Ghana as a leading hub for migration research in Africa. He expressed appreciation for the Centre’s contribution to national and regional policy discourse and its support for improved migration governance.
Earlier, in her capacity as Chair of the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, congratulated the Centre for Migration Studies on its achievements over the past two decades, describing its journey as evidence of sustained academic excellence and relevance. She noted that CMS has significantly enhanced the University of Ghana’s research profile, international visibility and graduate training.
Prof. Amfo described CMS as the only academic centre of its kind in the West African sub-region, highlighting its interdisciplinary approach to migration studies and its production of rigorous, policy-relevant research that informs academic debate, public discourse, and governance frameworks.
She observed that the Centre’s MA, MPhil and PhD programmes have trained graduates from Ghana and beyond, many of whom now occupy key positions in government, international organisations, civil society and academia. According to her, these alumni continue to promote the University of Ghana’s reputation as a leading institution in research and capacity-building.
Situating the work of CMS within the University’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the Centre exemplifies the University’s priorities of impactful research, transformative student experience and meaningful engagement and partnerships. She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting the Centre’s growth and impact.
Delivering a report on the Centre, the Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, Prof. Mary Boatemaa Setrana, reflected on the Centre’s 20-year journey, highlighting its growth into a regional hub of excellence in migration scholarship, training and policy engagement. She noted that the anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and to strategically reflect on the future of mobility research and governance in Africa.
Prof. Setrana outlined key strategic priorities for the Centre, including expanding academic programmes to train more migration scholars and practitioners, strengthening research collaborations locally, regionally and internationally and increasing student and faculty exchanges to enhance exposure and capacity-building. She also announced plans to establish a modern Migration Complex to support the Centre’s teaching, research and administrative operations.
She reaffirmed CMS’s commitment to advancing migration scholarship, deepening policy engagement and strengthening capacity-building initiatives across Africa and the Global South, noting that the Centre remains dedicated to producing knowledge that responds to real-world migration challenges.
Several internal and external partners also delivered solidarity messages, commending CMS for its sustained impact and leadership in migration research and policy engagement. Within the University, messages of support were delivered by Prof. David Dodoo-Arhin, Director of the Research and Innovation Directorate; Prof. Joseph Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities and Prof. Jemima Anderson, Dean of International Programmes.
External partners, including representatives from the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, and Parliament’s Select Committee on Defence and Interior, also praised the Centre’s role in shaping migration governance and institutional capacity. Additional messages were delivered by Mr. Jonas Claes, Deputy Head of Delegation and Head of the Political Section of the European Union; Dr. James Rajamani, President of Kingdom Exim Group of Companies; members of the Diplomatic Corps and an alumni representative, Dr. Ernestina Korleki Tetteh, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Social Policy Studies, University of Ghana.
The CMS@20 celebrations will continue throughout the year with a series of academic, policy and community engagement activities, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to scholarship, partnerships and shaping the future of mobility in Africa.
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