The landmark conference will bring global migration leaders to Ghana as CMS marks 20 years of research, policy engagement and plans for a dedicated migration complex.
The Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) at the University of Ghana is preparing to host the 2026 Metropolis International Migration Network Conference from 18 to 20 November 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Accra.
The conference marks a historic milestone as the first annual Metropolis International Conference to be held on the African continent, under the organising leadership of Professor Mary B. Setrana and the CMS@20 Anniversary Planning Committee. It will be a major highlight of CMS’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.
Under the theme “Rethinking African Mobility: Past Lessons, Present Realities, Future Possibilities,” the conference will convene migration scholars, policymakers, government officials and practitioners from across the world to examine migration governance and mobility in Africa.
The opening ceremony is expected to feature several high-level dignitaries, including His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, who is scheduled to deliver the keynote address; His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco and His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Other key guests include Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Ghana’s Minister for the Interior; Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana; Professor Anna Triandafyllidou, Chair of Metropolis International Migration Network; and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The conference programme will feature plenary discussions, roundtables and parallel academic sessions. Discussions will address key issues such as labour mobility, regional integration, forced displacement, migration and health, migration and development, border governance, and diaspora engagement. A research and impact exhibition will also showcase academic work, policy contributions and other outputs from CMS and its collaborators.
The conference will create opportunities for African and international researchers, policymakers and institutions to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships and consider approaches to migration governance that reflect Africa’s experiences, priorities and development aspirations.
Pre-conference activities will form part of the wider anniversary programme. These include academic writing retreats scheduled for 12-14 October and 2-6 November 2026. A Health and Migration Sensitisation Walk is also planned for 14 November, from Ayi-Mensah Toll Booth to Aburi, as part of the Centre’s public engagement activities.
The anniversary celebrations will continue beyond the conference. An Awards and Dinner Night is scheduled for Saturday, 21 November 2026, to recognise contributions to migration scholarship, institutional development and partnerships. A Thanksgiving Service will follow on Sunday, 22 November 2026, to express gratitude for the Centre’s growth, achievements and continued progress over the past two decades.
As part of its anniversary plans, CMS is also advancing proposals for a dedicated migration complex to house the Centre. The proposed facility is intended to support the Centre’s academic, research, administrative and public engagement functions. When completed, the complex is expected to strengthen CMS’s capacity to deliver teaching and research, host academic and policy events, support collaboration with local and international partners, and serve as a hub for migration scholarship and policy dialogue in Ghana and across Africa.
For CMS, the conference and anniversary activities represent an important opportunity to reflect on two decades of advancing migration research, education and policy engagement. They will also help strengthen the Centre’s partnerships and visibility within regional and global discussions on human mobility.
Conference Details
Dates: 18-20 November 2026
Venue: Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Accra
Theme: Rethinking African Mobility: Past Lessons, Present Realities, Future Possibilities
Format: In person
Further information is available on the official Metropolis International Conference website: https://metropolisintl.org/2026-conference-1
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