Lancaster University Ghana Hosts Model African Union Session on America at 250

Lancaster University Ghana has hosted a landmark Model African Union (AU) Session under the motion “America at 250: The Historical and Contemporary Role of the United States in Africa’s Stability and Development,” bringing together tertiary students from across the country for a day of rigorous debate and diplomatic engagement.

The event, held on Wednesday, February 11, formed part of activities commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and created a platform for young Africans to critically examine the evolving relationship between the U.S. and the African continent.

Student delegations from five leading public and private universities participated in the session, each representing one of Africa’s five regions. Lancaster University Ghana represented West Africa, the University of Ghana represented North Africa, Takoradi Technical University represented Southern Africa, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) represented Eastern Africa, while Ashesi University represented Central Africa.

Modelled on official African Union proceedings, the session featured structured, well-researched debates that explored both the historical and contemporary dimensions of U.S.–Africa relations. Discussions focused on U.S. foreign policy on the continent, trade and development partnerships, security cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and American mediation roles in ongoing conflicts in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

Participants also examined the broader implications of American global leadership for Africa’s peace, stability, and economic growth, while critically assessing policies, outcomes, and future opportunities for collaboration.

Organisers noted that the event was designed to achieve three key objectives: to provide Ghanaian tertiary students with the opportunity to engage meaningfully in global discourse; to expose the educational community and the wider public to deeper analysis of the United States’ role in Africa’s development and stability; and to strengthen collaboration between the American Embassy in Ghana and the country’s tertiary education institutions.

Beyond policy discussions, the Model AU session served as a practical training ground for diplomacy, equipping students with skills in research, negotiation, public speaking, and consensus-building.

As Africa continues to assert itself as a significant player in global affairs, the session underscored the importance of empowering young Africans to actively interrogate international partnerships and shape informed narratives around global engagement.

The successful hosting of the Model African Union Session reaffirmed Lancaster University Ghana’s commitment to academic excellence, global citizenship, and leadership development, with organisers expressing confidence that the conversations sparked will influence future scholarship, diplomacy, and policymaking across the continent.