education­al ties between Ghana and the United States (U.S.A).

The centre, which is part of a global network of 450 centres in 170 countries, is designed to provide Ghanaian students with comprehensive and accurate information on U.S.A higher educa­tion opportunities.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Mamle Andrews, who represented the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, expressed excitement about the new centre, stating that it would be particularly beneficial to students in the southern parts of Accra and the country at large.

She noted that the centre would provide a critical link between Ghanaian students and U.S.A educational institutions, facilitating access to academic opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Furthermore, Mrs Andrews pledged the Min­istry’s commitment and assured the people that it would continue to partner with the U.S Embassy and EducationUSA.

This, she noted, would not only ensure the success of the centre but also help to address any challenges that may arise.

“The inauguration of the EducationUSA Advisory Centre is a significant step towards strengthening educational ties between Ghana and the U.S.A,” she emphasised.

The Ambassador of the U.S.A. to Ghana, Ms Virginia Palmer, announced that a total of 9,394 Ghanaians studied in the U.S last year, which she said was a 45 per cent increase over the previous academic year.

This achievement, she indicated, placed Gha­na 18th worldwide in terms of the number of students studying in the U.S.

Ms Palmer also highlighted a significant increase in Ghanaian graduate students in the U.S. A, with a 54 per cent increase, totalling 6,337 students, which she indicated had placed Ghana in the top 10 countries, sending graduate students to the U.S.A.

The Ambassador commended the Educatio­nUSA advisors for their hard work in making it easier for Ghanaian students to access the U.S education.

“Ghanaian students earned nearly $9.2 million in scholarships to over 680 higher education institutions in the U.S last year,” she noted.

“The U.S remains the top destination for international students, with 1.1 million students currently studying in the country,” she added.

Moreover, she emphasised the importance of international education in fostering global un­derstanding and cooperation while advising the citizens to grab the opportunity to be enrolled in the centre.

For his part, the Osu Manste, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, expressed gratitude for the progress of education in Ghana, citing it as a key factor in the country’s development.

He applauded the embassy for coming up with such initiative in enhancing the education system of the country.

“You have created a long line of human re­source for our country, and for that, you should be proud of yourself,” he said.

EducationUSA guides qualified individuals to be successful applicants to U.S colleges and universities. Ghana currently has two Advising Centres located in Accra at the newest ACE Consult location at Osu and at ACE Consult at Asokwa-Kumasi. EducationUSA Advisors work with students individually and in groups, in-person and virtually to enhance understanding of the college or university application process to be successful applicants. Over the last year, EducationUSA advisors from the Accra and Kumasi based centres have helped thousands of Ghanaian students apply to admissions across hundreds of accredited institutions of higher learning