Global Impact: Dr. Zoogah Leads McMaster’s Strategic Engagement in Ghana

In June and July, Dr. Banyielme Zoogah, Professor and Area Chair of Human Resources and Management at the DeGroote School of Business, embarked on a month-long visit to Ghana as a McMaster Global Ambassador. His visit represented a strategic push to strengthen academic ties between McMaster University and three higher education institutions: the University of Ghana (UG), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). 

A defining moment of the visit was the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between McMaster and KNUST. This milestone agreement sets the stage for interdisciplinary research collaboration, student and faculty mobility, and long-term capacity-building initiatives. A second MoU with UG is nearing finalization, further solidifying McMaster’s commitment to developing impactful academic partnerships across West Africa. The MoU also aligns with ongoing research efforts by McMaster faculty, including Dr. Nana Ofori-Opoku, whose work in materials science aligns with KNUST’s strengths in engineering and applied sciences.  

While in Accra, Dr. Zoogah held constructive meetings with Dr. Jemima Asabea, Dean of International Programmes at UG. The two explored innovative possibilities for joint research in key areas such as business development, climate change, and artificial intelligence—fields that hold global relevance and local urgency. 

In Kumasi, discussions at KNUST with Dr. Daniel Y.A. Duah, Dean of the International Programmes, focused on intensifying collaboration in business, health sciences, engineering, and environmental sustainability. These dialogues built upon ongoing faculty exchanges between both institutions, reflecting a shared vision of knowledge co-creation and academic excellence. 

Dr. Zoogah also visited GIMPA, where strategic conversations revolved around fostering academic cooperation, facilitating knowledge exchange, and launching joint initiatives that align with McMaster’s international priorities. The meetings opened pathways for future research and programmatic collaboration that will enrich both institutions. 

Reflecting on the impact of the visit, Dr. Zoogah remarked, “This trip reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of international partnerships. What stood out in each interaction was the shared energy and willingness to break disciplinary and geographical boundaries in pursuit of solutions. I left Ghana more convinced than ever that when institutions work together, we not only create knowledge—we create impact.” 

With the MoU now signed with KNUST and another nearing completion with the University of Ghana, Dr. Zoogah’s visit marks a pivotal chapter in McMaster’s international outreach in Africa. These partnerships underscore McMaster’s commitment to collaborative research, inclusive learning, and global citizenship. As the university continues to expand its global network, such initiatives underscore its mission to lead with purpose, connect across borders, and champion innovation.