French Embassy holds French Alumni Day
The third edition of France Alumni Day has been held at the residence of the French Ambassador in Accra to celebrate the vitality and diversity of the France Alumni community in the country.
The event organised by the French Embassy in Ghana in collaboration with the global France Alumni network, Campus France and French Alumni Ghana Association (FAGA), brought together professionals who have pursued academic studies, professional training or research activities in France.
The France Alumni network aimed at connecting, informing and supporting international alumni of French higher education institutions. It boasts of more than 600,000 members worldwide, and was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The France Alumni Day also underscored the strength and continuity of the partnership between France and Ghana, while recognising the essential role played by alumni as ambassadors of this bilateral cooperation.
Strengthening Franco-Ghanaian relations
The French Ambassador to Ghana, Diarra Dimé Labille said the France Alumni Day reflects the central role of alumni in strengthening Franco-Ghanaian relations, more than a celebratory gathering.
She said as ambassadors of French higher education and training, the alumni contribute to knowledge transfer, innovation and cross-cultural dialogue, reinforcing people-to-people ties between the two countries.
“The event also offers a space to present opportunities within the France Alumni network, including professional development initiatives, mobility programmes and future collaborations.
“In line with its commitment to fostering mobility, skills development and knowledge exchange, the French Embassy in Ghana actively supports a wide range of academic, professional and research mobility opportunities,” she said.
The French Ambassador stressed the strong human, intellectual, and professional bonds between two countries, thanks to the FAGA and its associated institution.
With nearly 530 members in the country, Ambassador Labille said the network aims to maintain lasting links with international graduates and facilitate their professional inclusion.
The Ambassador praised Ghanaian alumni, numbering over 1,000, for choosing France for their academic or professional journey, citing the country's excellent higher education, international recognition, and cultural diversity.
She encouraged alumni to bring the network to life, highlighting their roles as teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and ambassadors of the Ghana-France partnership.
Call to members
For her part, the President of FAGA, Catherine Lotsu urged Ghanaians who have studied in France to join the association, saying that, FAGA should not be an association to be run for members but a community built by members.
“We need your skills, your time, your ideas, your mentorship and your commitment. Whether you are a professional, entrepreneur, academic, creative, or student — there is a place for you in FAGA. This is your network. This is your platform. And together, we can make it work for all of us,” she said.
On the initiatives of FAGA for the year, Ms Lotsu said, a “FAGA Job and Career Portal” would be created to connect alumni to job opportunities, internships, and consultancies, serve as a talent pool for French companies and Francophone institutions in the country, promote career mobility, mentorship, and professional growth within our network.
