Behind every great initiative, there's Nii

Some people take the stage. Others make sure the programme is ready and the right people are connected. Dr Nii Amarquaye Commey is usually among the second.

Nii joined GSU-Japan in 2022 to connect with fellow Ghanaians in research. After completing his PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of Yamanashi in March 2025, he stayed involved, and from March 2026 he took a bigger role, supporting his friends Dr Floret Owusu and Samuel Owusu (Papsy) as President and Organizing Secretary.

On 20 August 2025, Nii and two fellow GSU-affiliated students attended the Presidential Investment Forum at TICAD 9 in Yokohama, where they met Dr Joseph Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group. That meeting opened the door to further engagement with Ghanaian students and researchers abroad, and Nii went on to help coordinate and develop the Global Research, Advisory and Innovation Network (GRAIN), which encourages the diaspora to contribute to Ghana through research, business and innovation.

Within GSU-Japan he is a sounding board for ideas and a hands-on coordinator, helping with programme planning, publicity, networking and logistics. Most recently he led the curation of the programme brochure for the 10th Anniversary Symposium on 8 August 2026.

His motivation comes from his Christian faith and an idea from Marianne Williamson's “Our Deepest Fear”: that letting your own light shine encourages others to do the same. Outside work he enjoys hiking, photography, music and keeping fit. He hopes GSU-Japan will grow into an even stronger network linking Ghanaian talent in Japan with change in Ghana and beyond.

Oyiwaladɔŋŋ, Nii!

Connect with Nii: Instagram · LinkedIn · Research and portfolio