GDI Merit scholar becomes General Secretary of Students’ Union

GDI Merit Scholar Kwame Kwarteng has taken up his role as General Secretary of The University of Manchester Students’ Union. He was elected as General Secretary in March and took up the post in July.

Kwame is the first international student to be elected to General Secretary in the Union's 158-year history. He will also serve on the University’s Board of Governors as part of the role.

Kwame joined the GDI last year, as part of the first group of GDI Merit scholars, to study an MSC International Development: Globalisation, Trade and Industry.

Originally from Ghana he spent four years working in the Ghanaian cocoa sector working on the unfair value cocoa farmers got from the cocoa-chocolate value chain. He also has eight years’ experience in the information communication technology, oil and gas and cocoa-chocolate industries. Working with The Quantum Group Limited, he executed marketing, product development and project management with both local and international companies, working on high-value projects with international stakeholders like Geospatial Enabling Technologies, Buhler and Caotech B.V.

“I see leadership as a privilege to offer the highest form of selfless service to the people you care about and the systems you dream to improve,” said Kwame.

“As I take on the chairmanship of the Trustee board of the biggest student union in the UK, I look forward to ensuring that a more inclusive environment and student employability enhancement platforms are created for all students,” he continued. As a new Governor joining the Board of Governors of The University of Manchester, I look forward to contributing ideas and thoughts towards making the University a safe and the most enjoyable place for both students and the diverse University community.

“Looking forward to an exciting journey.”