The University of Ghana (UG) is collaborating with Lancaster University on a comprehensive programme to strengthen the role and impact of research administrators in research delivery under the Emerging Leadership in Research Administration and Innovation Management Programme. 

The Emerging Leadership in Research Administration and Innovation Management Programme is spearheaded by the Registrar, Mrs Emelia Adjei Mensah and Prof. Cynthia Forson, Deputy Provost (Lancaster University-Ghana) and Director of External Engagement – West Africa at Lancaster (UK).  The programme commenced in June 2025 with a series of online training sessions between Lancaster and UG research administrators. The first in-person immersion (staff exchange) took place from 17th – 21st November 2025, at the Research and Innovation Directorate (RID).

At the opening session, Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah traced the journey of UG’s engagement with Lancaster to 2023 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. She expressed her delight that the objectives of the collaboration align with UG’s strategic objectives to achieve impactful research outcomes.  An important facet of UG’s goal being to improve the grant management process to support the impact of research. She highlighted the programme’s alignment with UG’s commitment to faculty and staff, and to engage and build partnerships of mutual benefit. She expressed gratitude to colleagues at UG and Lancaster for their commitment to fostering cross institutional learning and sharing best practice.

Prof. Cynthia Forson noted that the exchange between institutions extends beyond training to challenge assumptions and build a lasting alliance of shared ideas.

Among UG officials the team interacted with were Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante (Pro VC, RID), Prof. David Dodoo Arhin, Director -RID and Mrs Cynthia Adu, Deputy Registrar, Office of the Pro VC (RID), who has worked with the Register to establish the partnership with Lancaster. The team of research administrators from Lancaster included Mr. Jonathan Powell, Mr. Andrew Wilkinson and Ms. Michaela Neild, whilst Senior RDO’s who make up UG’s core team are; Mr. Andrews Tetteywayo, Mrs Diana Owusu-Antwi and Mrs Mammie Nortey. 

The Research and Innovation Directorate, as hosts of the programme, lined up the schedule for the visit including workshops, presentations by UG startups and student innovators, visits to the RID makerspace enclave and the UGBS Innovation and Incubation hub. A tour of the Legon campus included visits to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, the World Bank Centres of Excellence, University of Ghana Medical Centre and other key facilities in the University. 

Outside UG, the tour took them to Lancaster University’s Ghana campus which is the only UK institution with a physical location in West Africa. Visits to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum/Independence Arch, as well as the Cape Coast slave castle completed their tour before departure to the UK on Sunday, 23rd November.

The partnership continues with online training and other engagements.