The Institutional Advancement Directorate (InAD) of the University of Ghana has organised a one-day capacity-building workshop on the theme “Rethinking Revenue: Diversification and Fundraising in Higher Education.” The session was facilitated by Prof. Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, Professor of African Studies and former Senior Advisor to the President of Howard University, Prof. Ben Vinson III.

Coordinated by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, the training aligns with the University’s broader efforts to strengthen its institutional advancement systems and enhance sustainable resource mobilisation.

Prof. Zeleza examined the global financial pressures currently facing universities, including declining public funding, intensified competition for philanthropic support, demographic shifts, and increasing expectations for accountability, transparency, and measurable impact.

He emphasised the urgent need for higher education institutions to diversify revenue streams while reinforcing governance frameworks, leadership credibility, and institutional trust, key pillars for effective fundraising.

Drawing on his extensive leadership experience across Africa and North America, including his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the United States International University–Africa in Kenya, Prof. Zeleza emphasized that fundraising is fundamentally a leadership responsibility rooted in mission clarity, strategic alignment, and robust internal systems. He engaged participants on best practices in alumni relations, donor stewardship, data-informed decision-making, and the ethical use of digital tools in advancement work.

The session encouraged InAD staff to view fundraising as a shared, institution-wide responsibility that links academic excellence, student success, and societal impact with philanthropic investment. Prof. Zeleza underscored that resource mobilisation is a long-term process rooted in cultivating trust, shared purpose, and mutual investment, positioning universities as co-creators of knowledge rather than recipients of aid.

In his remarks, the Director of InAD, Prof. Gordon Abekah Nkrumah, stressed the importance of continuous learning and professional development in enhancing the Directorate’s effectiveness. He noted that the training supports InAD’s mandate to build robust systems for alumni engagement, donor relations, and resource mobilisation in line with the University’s strategic priorities.

Prof. Abekah Nkrumah reaffirmed InAD’s commitment to leveraging global expertise and best practices to reposition institutional advancement as a key driver of financial sustainability, institutional reputation, and long-term impact. He expressed appreciation to Prof. Zeleza and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for facilitating the training.

The Institutional Advancement Directorate serves as the University’s central unit responsible for enhancing visibility and reputation, fostering relationships with alumni and partners, and securing philanthropic support to advance the University’s mission.

The engagement with Prof. Zeleza reflects the University leadership’s broader commitment to strengthening advancement structures in response to evolving trends in global higher education financing.