Ghana formalises Afrobarometer headquarters agreement after parliamentary approval
Afrobarometer and the government of the Republic of Ghana have formalised an agreement establishing the network’s headquarters in Ghana, following Parliament’s approval of the arrangement in December 2025.
Afrobarometer, a pan-African nonpartisan survey network operating in more than 40 countries, has spent over 25 years conducting research that reflects the views of more than three-quarters of Africa’s population.
The headquarters agreement provides a structured framework to support the operations of Afrobarometer’s secretariat in Ghana while ensuring compliance with the country’s laws.
Speaking at the official handing-over ceremony in Accra, Khadija Iddrisu, chief director of the ministry of foreign affairs, said the agreement reflects Ghana’s continued commitment to democratic governance, evidence-based policymaking, and support for credible research institutions.
She noted that Ghana’s more than three decades of constitutional rule has been anchored on transparency, accountability, and citizen participation, adding that institutions such as Afrobarometer play a critical role in ensuring governance is informed by citizens’ experiences.
Amina Oyagbola, chair of the Afrobarometer board, described the bipartisan parliamentary endorsement of the agreement as a significant milestone reflecting more than two decades of collaboration aimed at amplifying African voices.
According to her, the agreement provides a stable foundation for Afrobarometer to continue producing trusted data that supports democracy, accountability, and development across Africa.
Since its establishment in 1999, Afrobarometer has worked in Ghana through its core partner, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, which has conducted all 10 rounds of surveys in the country and oversees survey implementation across West, Central, and North Africa.
Over the past 26 years, the network has strengthened Ghana’s research and policy capacity by training many Ghanaians in survey research, data analysis, and communication.
Its pre-election surveys, conducted with CDD-Ghana, have also become an important component of Ghana’s electoral system by providing insights that enhance transparency and public trust.
Afrobarometer established its secretariat in Ghana in 2019, citing the country’s favourable operating environment. Since then, all grants for the network have been managed through Ghanaian financial institutions, contributing to foreign exchange inflows.
The organisation has also invested significantly in local operations, supporting Ghana’s economy and boosting sectors such as hospitality, tourism, and services while enhancing the country’s global visibility.
