A delegation from the Teesside Ghanaian Students’ Representation has paid a courtesy call on the Executive Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, in a move aimed at strengthening engagement between the city’s leadership and its growing international student community.
The delegation, led by Barnes Adu Antwi, Ian Okwei and Ransford Kennedy Gyimah, used the meeting to reaffirm the Ghanaian students’ commitment to supporting initiatives that promote youth empowerment, education, entrepreneurship and community development across Teesside.
During the engagement, the student leaders expressed their support for Mayor Cooke’s flagship programmes, including youth funding initiatives, business development schemes and educational pathways designed to drive sustainable growth and create opportunities for young people in the region.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the Mayor to outline a number of major events and development projects planned for Middlesbrough.
Among the initiatives announced were the expansion of local business support teams, the hosting of major sporting events and conferences, and a planned visit by the owner of PlayStation from Japan.
The city is also preparing to host what is expected to be its largest art conference to date, further positioning Middlesbrough as a centre for creativity, innovation and international collaboration.
Mayor Cooke welcomed the contribution of Ghanaian students to the social and economic life of the town and expressed a desire to maintain regular engagement with the Ghanaian diaspora community.
“Proud to see Ghanaian students contributing to Teesside’s future. I would be glad to have regular interactions with the diaspora students from Ghana to know much from them,” he said.
According to the Mayor, sustained engagement with international students enriches cultural diversity, promotes social cohesion and creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue on issues affecting local communities.
The Ghanaian student representatives, in response, pledged their continued participation in activities and programmes organised by the Mayor’s office.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to building stronger educational, cultural and development links between Ghana and Middlesbrough.
The delegation noted that Ghanaian students in Teesside remain eager to contribute positively to the local community while serving as ambassadors of Ghanaian culture and values.
The visit highlighted the growing role of international students in local development and underscored the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, community groups and local authorities.
For members of the Ghanaian community in Teesside, the meeting was seen as a significant step towards strengthening relations with civic leaders and ensuring that the voices of international students continue to be represented in discussions about the future development of Middlesbrough.
The engagement also served as a reminder of the important role that education, cultural exchange and inclusive leadership can play in fostering stronger communities and building lasting international partnerships.
