The Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) at the University of Ghana has commenced a five-day writing workshop for young academics from across the African continent.
The 2025 edition of the workshop, which has drawn participation from scholars in various academic fields and selected African countries, runs from Monday, April 28 to Friday, May 2.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Lead Facilitator of the event and Professor of Sociology at the University of Ghana, Professor Akosua Darkwah, emphasized that the primary aim of the programme is to identify diligent African academics and equip them with the skills to produce high-quality research papers and articles that address pressing societal challenges.
“In our part of the world, the challenges academics face are well known—particularly the lack of funding for research-related activities from central governments. This impedes the growth of educational professionals in our institutions and limits the critical role that high-quality research plays in sustainable national development, especially when compared to countries in the Global North,” Professor Darkwah stated.
“To bridge this gap and encourage more dedicated young professionals into academia, MIASA and its local and international funding partners have developed this initiative. The Writing Workshop offers a platform for seasoned educationists to engage with their junior colleagues on how to produce impactful research and articles. These works aim not only to propose innovative solutions to challenges in their home countries but also to attract significant research funding from development partners to ensure real-world impact.”
The Director of MIASA (Ghana), Professor Grace Diabah, also spoke at the event, reiterating the institute’s mission of nurturing top African scholars and providing them with a conducive environment to secure sustainable funding for quality research.
She noted that over the years, the programme has taken deliberate steps to identify and train promising young African academics. As a result, many of the participants have gone on to make significant contributions to global knowledge production.
“At MIASA, we stay ahead by leveraging our networks both locally and internationally to nurture the next generation of African scholars,” Professor Diabah said. “Through structured programmes like this Writing Workshop, we aim to sharpen participants’ research and analytical skills, enabling them to produce excellent academic work focused on solving real challenges in their environments.”
“Ultimately, we aim to help these scholars publish in globally recognized journals and access competitive funding opportunities to translate their research into practical solutions across the continent,” she added.
Participants in the 2025 workshop have been drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Botswana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Mali.
