The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA)Dr Mary Awusi on Tuesday led a 12-member delegation from the Government of Ghana to The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Centre for African Studies, as part of efforts to deepen the Columbus–Accra Sister City relationship and expand academic, research, and policy collaboration between Ghana and the United States.

The high-level visit brought together representatives from key Ghanaian institutions and agencies with a shared commitment to fostering lasting partnerships with OSU and other American counterparts.

The delegation was warmly received by OSU’s leadership, with Dr. Kaya Şahin, Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs, officially opening the engagement.

Dr. Şahin emphasised the university’s strong dedication to global collaboration and highlighted OSU’s longstanding connections with Africa.

Dr. Ousman Kobo, Director of the Centre for African Studies, facilitated the discussions, reaffirming the university’s continued interest in Ghana and its broader work across the African continent.

He underscored the importance of sustained institutional ties and welcomed the Ghanaian delegation’s interest in expanded cooperation.

In her remarks, the GFZA CEO outlined Ghana’s strategic vision to become a globally competitive hub for export-oriented manufacturing, services, and innovation.

He invited OSU to play a key role in this effort through joint initiatives in applied research, technology transfer, business incubation, and policy development.

“We believe OSU’s academic and research strengths can be instrumental in accelerating Ghana’s industrial transformation,” the CEO said.

The Ghanaian delegation was also joined by Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Advisor to H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

She shared reflections on the critical importance of long-term educational and institutional partnerships in national development.

OSU faculty members presented ongoing projects in areas such as health equity, agriculture, business, and nursing, sectors that align with Ghana’s development priorities.

The delegation expressed strong interest in future collaboration across these fields.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the reaffirmation of Ghana's ties with the City of Columbus and the announcement of a promising new partnership between the Centre for African Studies and Heart of Ohio Family Health, further reinforcing the growing Ghana–Ohio bond.

As the visit concluded, the GFZA CEO expressed optimism about the future of the partnership, describing the engagement as a “powerful step forward” in strengthening people-to-people, academic, and policy linkages between Ghana and Ohio.

“This visit reflects our mutual desire to build a more prosperous future—through shared knowledge, innovation, and purpose,” she said.