Ghana, Afrobarometer Seal Headquarters Agreement After Parliamentary Approval

Afrobarometer, the pan‑African nonpartisan survey network operating in more than 40 countries, has formally concluded a headquarters agreement with the Government of Ghana, following parliamentary approval in December 2025. The agreement cements Ghana as the home of Afrobarometer’s continental secretariat.

For more than 25 years, Afrobarometer has provided reliable, comparative data reflecting the views and lived experiences of over three‑quarters of Africa’s population. Its surveys track public opinion on democracy, governance, and quality of life, offering policymakers, researchers, and citizens a trusted evidence base. The new headquarters agreement establishes a clear legal and operational framework for the organisation’s work in Ghana while ensuring full compliance with national laws.

Speaking at the official handing‑over ceremony in Accra, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, Chief Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the agreement underscores Ghana’s longstanding commitment to democratic governance, evidence‑based policymaking, and support for credible, independent research institutions.

“Ghana’s democratic journey, spanning more than three decades of constitutional rule, continues to be anchored in transparency, accountability, and citizen participation,” she said. “Sustainable governance must be informed by the voices and lived experiences of the people. It is in this regard that institutions such as Afrobarometer play an indispensable role.”

Afrobarometer Board Chair Amina Oyagbola described Parliament’s bipartisan endorsement as a significant milestone that reflects more than two decades of shared commitment to amplifying African voices.

“This agreement is far more than a legal instrument; it is a vote of confidence in our work and a recognition that listening to African citizens is a cause worthy of national support,” she said. “It provides the foundation and stability we need to continue producing rigorous, trusted evidence that strengthens democracy, accountability, and development across Africa.”

Since its inception in 1999, Afrobarometer has worked in Ghana through its Core Partner, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD‑Ghana). CDD‑Ghana has conducted all 10 survey rounds in the country and oversees survey implementation across West, Central, and North Africa. Over the past 26 years, Afrobarometer has contributed to building Ghana’s research and policy ecosystem by training numerous Ghanaians in survey methodology, data analysis, and strategic communication. Its pre‑election surveys, implemented with CDD‑Ghana, have become a key feature of Ghana’s electoral landscape, offering insights that enhance transparency, bolster public trust, and support credible elections.

Afrobarometer established its secretariat in Ghana in 2019, citing the country’s favourable operating environment. Since then, all grants for the network have been received and managed through Ghanaian financial institutions, contributing to foreign‑exchange inflows. The organisation’s investments in local operations continue to boost Ghana’s economy and international visibility while supporting the hospitality, tourism, and services sectors.

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