Accra, Ghana, Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Thank you for your warm welcome to this country and to this wonderful university. I am delighted to visit this wonderful institution of higher learning and to take part in this discussion.

Our topic today is one that is of considerable interest to me. Prior to becoming governor general, I spent the better part of my life and career as a student, teacher and university administrator—in fact, I think it is fair to say I have devoted my life to learning.

I should mention that one of my current priorities is to foster a culture of learning and innovation both within Canada and at the international level through discussions such as this.

So it is with great enthusiasm that I open this discussion on the subject of higher education and its role in the economic and development needs of our societies.

Let me start by emphasizing the very significant role that institutions of higher learning play in our economic development.

In Canada, for example, it is estimated that universities alone generate $30 billion in direct spending.

Given the global nature of today’s discussion, I would also like to point out the impact of international students on our economies. In 2012, it is estimated that the 265 000 full-time international students in Canada contributed more than $8.2 billion to the Canadian economy. The presence of foreign students led to the creation of 86 000 jobs and generated more than $445 million in government revenues. 

In terms of finances alone, therefore, the impact of higher education is undeniable.

But what is the role of post-secondary institutions in spurring innovation and generating new ideas and solutions for development?

In this, universities, colleges and other learning institutions frequently play a critical role. Time and again I have seen how post-secondary institutions can foster the collaboration that is necessary for prosperity.

Universities and colleges can do this in several key ways:

1. By developing and building on local, regional and national strengths and expertise;
2. By constantly seeking new partnerships and opportunities further afield and internationally;
3. By sharing specific needs and goals with those partners in planning for the mid- to long-term future.

When innovation occurs, it often does so at the intersections between communities, post-secondary institutions and businesses. These clusters of knowledge and enterprise are a key ingredient of economic development in today’s world.

I like to refer to this kind of collaboration as the diplomacy of knowledge, defined as the sharing of ideas and resources across borders—whether local, regional, national or international.

Here in Ghana, you have all of the elements needed for successful collaboration between schools, businesses and communities. Indeed, this university has long been reaching out and forming dynamic partnerships here in Africa and around the world.

I encourage you to go further and continue reaching out to solve problems and stimulate new ideas and solutions. A wonderful example of this is the current research project on gender and enterprise development being undertaken by this institution, with assistance from Canada’s International Development Research Centre, whose president is part of the delegation today.

In addition, the University of Winnipeg and Ghana’s University for Development Studies will create a Joint Institute for Indigenous and Traditional Peoples’ Development between the two universities.

This is not an exhaustive list of the joint Canada-Ghana efforts being undertaken. There also exist a number of collaborations with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Cape Coast, to name a few.

And, of course, today’s moderator, the Honourable Minister for Education, is herself a holder of a PhD degree from Canada’s York University.

Allow me to conclude with a reminder of the intrinsic value of learning.

As Dr. Stephen Toope of the University of British Columbia puts it:

“Education matters because it is the only investment that never reaches a level of diminishing returns. In this world, where you can cut too many trees, make too many cars or catch too many fish – where an overabundance of gold or wheat or widgets of any kind acts to depress the market – there is never a point where education begins to lose its value.”

That is truly said, and we must take care to never treat learning as we do gold or wheat or widgets—as a commodity, in other words. Learning is one of the keys to achieving our full potential as human beings and as whole societies, its true value far exceeding its economic potential.

Or, as Ghana’s own Kofi Annan put it:

“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.”

With this in mind, let us continue to learn together, as we work to build the smarter, more caring world of which we dream.

Thank you.