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CONMAT Project Commences at UBIDS Following Rwanda and Other Partner Institutions
February 23,2026
The Conflict Management in Africa (CONMAT) project has officially commenced at the University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) campus in Wa, marking the latest phase of its multi-country academic collaboration.
The initiative, co-funded by the European Union, has already been implemented at the University of Rwanda, the Protestant University of Rwanda, and the University of Ghana as part of its phased rollout among partner institutions.
During the Rwanda leg of the project, participants undertook field visits that included engagements with survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. They also visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they observed a moment of sober reflection on the atrocities and Rwanda’s reconciliation journey.
As part of the Ghana activities, participants visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra, gaining historical insight into Ghana’s independence struggle and the legacy of the country’s first President. The visit was described as both educational and symbolic, linking Africa’s liberation history to contemporary peacebuilding efforts.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Wa, Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile emphasised that the CONMAT project seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, promote joint research, and foster international academic exchange in conflict management and peace studies.
The Lead actor of the project, Professor Johannes Maerck also addressed the audience, providing an overview of the project’s objectives and highlighting the importance of bringing together universities and research institutions to jointly tackle complex conflict-related challenges.
He underscored that partnerships between universities play a vital role in promoting sustainable peace-building strategies, enhancing academic exchange, and building the next generation of conflict management experts.
The consortium brings together Hochschule Campus Wien, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, UBIDS, the University of Ghana, the University of Rwanda, and the Protestant University of Rwanda.
The commencement at UBIDS represents another milestone in deepening cross-border academic partnerships and building the next generation of conflict management professionals across Africa.
