The Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) has successfully hosted a high-level delegation from the East Asian Institute (EAI) of the National University of Singapore at its headquarters in Accra, culminating in the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
The visiting delegation from EAI included: Dr. Chen Gang, Deputy Director, Dr. Kong Tuan Yuen, Research Fellow, and Mr. Tan Chia How, Research Associate.
The delegation was received by the ACCPA leadership team led by Mr. Paul Frimpong, Executive Director of ACCPA, along with Sylvia Sinkari, Research Fellow, and Miss Mercy Tedeku, Research Associate.
The purpose of the visit was to deepen academic and policy collaboration between Africa and Asia, particularly in the areas of international development, China-Africa-ASEAN cooperation, trade, climate policy, and regional security. During the visit, both institutions held extensive discussions on areas of shared research interest and future strategic cooperation.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of a historic MoU between ACCPA and EAI. The agreement establishes a formal framework for joint research initiatives, academic exchanges, policy dialogues, publication collaborations, and capacity-building programs. It reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to promoting South–South cooperation and addressing emerging global challenges through collaborative scholarship and policy innovation.
IMAGE: ACCPA team and EAI delegation in a group photo at the ACCPA Headquarters in Accra.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Paul Frimpong, Executive Director of ACCPA, emphasized the importance of Africa-Asia partnerships in shaping the future of global development.
“This partnership with EAI is a strategic milestone. It allows us to bring together leading minds from Africa and Asia to generate evidence-based solutions, foster intellectual exchange, and strengthen regional cooperation,” he noted.
Dr. Chen Gang, Deputy Director of EAI, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and outlined the Institute’s interest in building a long-term engagement with Africa through trusted institutional partners like ACCPA.
“We are pleased to partner with ACCPA, a fast-rising policy think tank that is helping to shape China-Africa dialogue. This collaboration will allow us to better understand Africa’s development priorities while sharing Asia’s policy experiences,” he stated.
The EAI delegation also visited several Chinese institutions and stakeholders in Accra, including the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana, China State Hualong Ghana Construction Company Ltd, and the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Ghana, as part of a broader institutional immersion facilitated by ACCPA.
This historic engagement further cements ACCPA’s growing role as a premier platform for China-Africa-Asia policy dialogue, research exchange, and international cooperation.