Georgia Southern Hosts Parliament Members from Ghana

Georgia Southern University hosted three honorary members of the Parliament of Ghana on campus Monday as a part of an organized training tour studying democratic governance in the Georgia Assembly and other state institutions.

College of Business Administration faculty member William Amponsah, Ph.D., and Russell Keen, vice president for Government Relations and Community Engagement led the committee that coordinated the delegates’ vist. In addition to touring Georgia Southern’s campus, the delegates also met with Provost Jean Bartels, College of Business Administration Dean Allen Amason, Ph.D., Statesboro Mayor Jan Moore and representatives from Georgia Southern’s Office of International Programs. The Ghana delegates included the Honorable Emmanuel K. Bedzrah, chairman of the Government Assurances Committee, the Honorable John O.K. Bless and Dr. Emmanuel Akrofi-Tibo, assistant clerk to the committee. The delegates’ visit offered opportunities to learn about oversight, ethics and accountability in government operations. “We are here to learn about your institution and what makes your government and democracy work. Everyone is looking up to America and we want to learn and also improve upon our working parliament,” said Bedzrah. “I’m impressed by the number of programs offered and the volume of students at Georgia Southern University. International students, including African students come here from all over the world. When I get back to Ghana, I will encourage more and more people to come and learn here,” said O.K. Bless. The nation of Ghana has  demonstrated keen interest in advancing democratic principles in its development strategies.  It is often referred to as the torchbearer of African democracy.   As a result, the nation was rewarded by President Obama in July 2009 with his first visit to a Sub-Saharan African nation as President. Following the visit to Statesboro, the Ghanaian delegation will travel to the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government for further training and then proceed to Atlanta to the Georgia Assembly and related institutions. Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.