WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Warm welcome to the Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ghana.
Founded in 1961 as a semi-autonomous institute within the University, IAS was formally opened in October 1962 by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, with a mandate, to teach and conduct research on the peoples, cultures, and heritage of Africa. Since then, IAS has been at the forefront of African Studies pioneering research, innovative teaching and advocacy that deepen understanding of Africa and its global diaspora.
Our strength lies in our commitment to academic excellence, innovation and interdisciplinary research. We bring together scholars and students from diverse backgrounds to engage in rigorous, multifaceted research that bridge theory and practice. At IAS, our graduate programmes offer distinctive perspectives on Africa’s history, culture, politics, and development - providing fertile ground for critical thinking, creativity and ideas. We are enriched by unique academic resources, including our specialised Library, extensive Archives, vibrant Museum, and the renowned resident dance troupe (Ghana Dance Ensemble), each offering transformative insights into Africa and her people. Beyond the classroom, the Institute actively fosters collaborations and partnerships with institutions, organisations and individuals worldwide - shaping public discourse, influencing policy and contributing to scholarship that matters.
As we expand our networks and intensify our work, our vision remains clear; to be a global leader in scholarship on Africa and her Diaspora. Our mission is equally resolute; to contribute to the regeneration of Africa and her peoples through knowledge production, dissemination, application, and preservation.
I invite you to join us whether as a student, researcher, partner, or visitor in this vibrant intellectual community. Here at IAS, you will find a place where Africa’s past is honoured, its present critically examined, and its future imaginatively appreciated.
Professor Samuel Aniegye Ntewusu
Director, Institute of African Studies
University of Ghana