Duke of Edinburgh Visits Ghana to Strengthen UK-Ghana Partnership Across Education, Innovation, and Culture
His Royal Highness Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, arrived in Ghana yesterday for a two-day visit aimed at reinforcing the contemporary partnership between the United Kingdom and Ghana.
The visit will spotlight key areas of collaboration, including sustainable climate-smart development, education, innovation, inclusive sports, and Commonwealth initiatives. In Aburi, the Duke will tour a Kindergarten and observe a teaching-student session at the Presbyterian Women’s College of Education. He will witness firsthand how Sabre Education has partnered with the Government of Ghana to implement a play-based curriculum that equips teachers with modern skills to enhance early childhood education nationwide.
The United Kingdom has been a committed partner in ensuring universal access to high-quality early education, supporting Ghana’s efforts to prepare its youngest learners for lifelong success.
At the renowned Aburi Botanical Gardens, His Royal Highness will visit a plant nursery that propagates and preserves native flora while serving as a practical training ground for horticultural students.
The Duke will also meet pioneering entrepreneurs from the UK and Ghana’s cocoa sector, whose initiatives in artisanal production, sustainable trade, and inclusive economic growth are transforming cocoa-growing communities. He will plant a tree at the gardens, symbolizing a shared commitment to sustainability—a tradition followed by previous dignitaries, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.
In Accra, the Duke will engage with participants of the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Programme Bootcamp, which unites entrepreneurs from 24 Commonwealth countries. Delivered in partnership by the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and Imperial College London, the programme supports innovative startups addressing global challenges, underscoring the UK’s commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across the Commonwealth.
A key highlight of the visit will be the Duke’s engagement with Ghana’s Paralympic athletes and sports associations ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The sessions will emphasize the power of inclusive sports in promoting physical well-being, social cohesion, and character development, while affirming Ghana’s leadership role within the Commonwealth in Africa.
His Royal Highness will also attend a UK-Ghana Theatre and Creative Arts event, showcasing Ghana’s dynamic creative industry and positioning the UK as a preferred partner for skills development and investment in the sector. The programme will feature a performance of “The Black Star – Teacher of Africa” by Kofi Adinkra, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and demonstrating how cultural collaboration can spur innovation and deepen bilateral ties.
The Duke will call on President John Mahama and attend a durbar with the National House of Chiefs, highlighting enduring connections between the British Royal Family and Ghana’s traditional leadership. He will also pay respects to Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah, at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
Speaking ahead of the visit, British High Commissioner Dr. Christian Rogg said: “His Royal Highness’s visit to Ghana celebrates the enduring and evolving UK-Ghana relationship. It reflects our shared values and the tangible impact of our cooperation across education, climate action, inclusive development, and innovation, while honouring Ghana’s leadership within the Commonwealth.”
Throughout his stay, the Duke will engage with government officials, development partners, the Ghanaian diaspora, and business and community leaders, further highlighting the vibrant, living bridge between the UK and Ghana. The visit will conclude with the King’s Birthday Party at the British High Commissioner’s residence—an annual gathering of government, business, civil society, and diplomatic stakeholders to celebrate the historic partnership between the two nations.
Source: Abubakar Ibrahim
