The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has welcomed the Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Mariana Gonçalves Madeira, in a meeting aimed at fostering academic and research collaborations between the two countries.
The proposed partnership will focus on critical areas such as agriculture, natural resources, climate and environmental science, education, and the built environment.
Professor Daniel Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office, provided context for the engagement.
“About a year and a half ago, we received a delegation from Brazil for cultural exchanges, facilitated by the Brazilian Embassy. Recently, we were informed that the new ambassador wished to follow up and establish more concrete partnerships,” he explained.
Ambassador Madeira emphasized Brazil’s commitment to strengthening technical cooperation with Ghana.
She highlighted the Federal University of Lavras, renowned for its agricultural studies, as a potential institutional partner.
The Ambassador also stressed the importance of cocoa research, noting that both Ghana and Brazil are leading cocoa-producing nations.
“I have connections with institutions focused on cocoa research, and there is a major event in Brazil in March, organized by the World Cocoa Foundation. I have learned about significant research initiatives at KNUST that align with Brazil’s interests. Additionally, with Brazil hosting COP30 this year, we can explore organizing a joint event on climate change and its impact on agriculture and livelihoods,” she said.
The Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Professor Dadson Awunyo-Vitor, shared insights into the university’s ongoing cocoa research, which is central to the collaboration.
“We have a successful program in cocoa agroforestry. One key project involves repurposing cocoa pod husks into compost to reduce soil acidity and enhance productivity, and we are achieving very promising results,” he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor (Mrs.) Akosua Dickson, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to global partnerships.
“This meeting marks the beginning of a journey that will drive impactful collaborations between Ghana and Brazil. At KNUST, we prioritize partnerships that address global challenges, ensuring that our research transcends national borders. We are eager to formalize this collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a structured framework for future engagements,” she said.
