KNUST–GPE KIX Project Strengthens Cross-Border Research Collaboration

A Nigerian research delegation has concluded a three-day knowledge-exchange visit to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, marking a significant step toward advancing culturally responsive education across West Africa.

The Institute for Rural Development and Innovation Studies (IRDIS) at KNUST hosted the team from Sydani Group to observe Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices (CRTP) and its impact on social and emotional development in early childhood classrooms in Ghana. The visit is part of an ongoing international project the impact of culturally responsive teaching practices on social and emotional development in diverse early childhood classrooms in Ghana, a collaboration between KNUST and the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX), a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Prof. Paul Sarfo Mensah, Principal Investigator of the project, emphasized that knowledge sharing was central to driving meaningful research outcomes. 

“Information exchange is very critical. It is central to knowledge mobilisation and dissemination. Hosting you satisfies an important obligation of this project, and we believe this engagement will be very useful and impactful,” he told participants at the opening session.

The visit focused on strengthening the Pre-Service Teacher Education Programme’s (STEP) research and implementation capacity by learning from the design, execution, and findings of the Ghana CRTP project. Participants also discussed potential collaborative research opportunities, including comparative studies and cross-country publications.

Mr. Andikan Ibanga, Project Manager for Pre-STEP Nigeria at Sydani Group, praised KNUST’s approach during the closing session.

"Over the last three days, we have learned from KNUST's experience in implementing culturally responsive pedagogy in schools in Kumasi and Accra. Their social and emotional learning framework, stakeholder engagement, and use of state structures for project monitoring are very impressive," he said.

Mr. Ibanga added that the visit had opened doors for future collaboration in research, proposal development, and concept design.

"We should leverage these opportunities to strengthen partnerships and advance impactful research for our countries and for Africa as a whole," he concluded.

The collaboration represents a growing trend of African institutions sharing expertise to develop education models that respond to local cultural contexts while meeting international standards.