Photograph of a Ghanaian woman making shea butter
Photo taken by UR alum Sherley Arias-Pimentel in Tamale, Ghana. The photo was one of the winners of the 2022 Spiders Abroad Photo Contest.

University of Richmond’s International Education Week Explores Ghana

Weeklong celebration of global culture includes academic programming and social events
November 17, 2025

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — International Education Week returns to the University of Richmond Nov. 17-21. This year’s weeklong celebration will explore Ghanaian culture, food, health, and environment with academic programming and social events for the campus community.

“Ghana and Africa more generally is a growing hub of global connection for UR students, faculty, and staff,” said Martha Merritt, dean of global education. “International Education Week provides the opportunity for our community to host our colleagues to further cement these connections. We are delighted to be bringing esteemed scholars and artists from Ghana to our campus to share and often to learn from each other.”

Guest lecturers include Richard Dzikuni, a health policy advocate who works with Ghanaian youth, and Gideon Sarpong, a 2023 Pulitzer Center Ocean Reporting Fellow who will lead a conversation about reporting on climate change in Ghana.  

Additional activities include:

  • A performance by Kwaw Kese, a Ghanaian hiplife artist
  • A celebration of Ghanaian cuisine across UR’s dining services
  • The annual IEW Fair, which will showcase UR and Richmond community ties to Ghana, including children’s literature, music, and study abroad programs
  • A Kente cloth exhibition in the International Commons Large Gallery

For more information, visit the Center for Global Engagement website.

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Media wishing to cover International Education Week should RSVP to Lauren Anesta, media relations manager, at lauren.anesta@richmond.edu.