The European Union (EU) has held a pre-departure orientation for Ghanaian students awarded Erasmus+ scholarships, equipping them with information and encouragement as they prepare to begin postgraduate studies and academic exchange programmes across Europe.
The event brought together beneficiaries of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Programme, Erasmus+ mobility schemes and scholarship programmes offered by European Union member states.
Addressing the students, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, congratulated the awardees on their achievement, stressing that their selection reflected excellence rather than chance.
"Your selection is not because you are lucky or fortunate. It is a recognition of your talent, your commitment and your hard work, and you should rightfully be proud of yourselves," Mr Skinnebach said.
Drawing on his own experience of studying abroad, he described international education as a life-changing opportunity that had shaped his academic journey, professional career and worldview.
He encouraged the students to seize the opportunity not only to excel academically but also to build lasting friendships, experience new cultures and develop networks that would benefit them throughout their careers.
"I hope you will all come back as EU ambassadors here in Ghana," he added.
Investing in youth, education
Mr Skinnebach reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to investing in education, youth and mobility through the Global Gateway Initiative, under which nearly €1 billion has been mobilised to support youth mobility across Africa.
He stated that every year, more than 1,000 Ghanaian students were supported by the EU and its member states to pursue studies in Europe.
In 2026, 446 Ghanaians were selected under Erasmus+ mobility schemes, including 28 students admitted to Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programmes, with 14 receiving full scholarships, while 418 students and staff were selected under the International Credit Mobility short-term exchange programme.
According to the Ambassador, the figures represented more than statistics; “they reflect life-changing opportunities, personal ambition and long-term partnerships between Ghana and Europe.”
GIZ access to study opportunities
The Country Director and Representative of GIZ Ghana, Sandra Retzer, described the selection for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Programme as a remarkable achievement, noting that the beneficiaries had distinguished themselves among thousands of applicants from around the world.
"You have worked hard to get here. Out of thousands of talented applicants worldwide, you have been given this opportunity to study, learn and grow in Europe," she said.
Retzer explained that GIZ, on behalf of the European Union Delegation in Ghana, supports the Ghanaian-European Centre for Jobs, Migration and Development, which works to make information about studying in Europe more accessible to students and young people across the country.
She said the centre had visited universities nationwide, engaged thousands of students and established Study in Europe Desks on numerous campuses to provide reliable information and guidance on scholarship opportunities and application procedures.
She encouraged students considering Europe as a study destination to make use of the centre's information and counselling services throughout the application process.
Learning beyond the classroom
Retzer urged the beneficiaries to see the Erasmus Mundus programme as more than an academic opportunity, noting that studying in multiple European countries would expose them to diverse cultures, educational systems and professional networks.
Sharing her own experience of studying abroad in China, she said the experience transformed both her education and career by teaching her to adapt to unfamiliar environments, appreciate different perspectives and build relationships across cultures.
Building lasting partnerships
The orientation also highlighted the EU's efforts to strengthen its alumni network by keeping former scholarship beneficiaries engaged through mentoring, networking and future collaboration opportunities.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the African Students and Alumni Forum (ASAF), the Erasmus Mundus Association and Ghana's Erasmus+ National Focal Point, to build a vibrant community of alumni who will continue to strengthen the Ghana-EU partnership.
