Prof. Oduro Urges Accra Technical University VC to Prioritize Growth & Welfare

By Kodjo Adams, GNA Accra, Jan 19, GNA – Professor George K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, has urged Professor Amevi Acakpovi, the Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University (ATU), to prioritise the growth of the university. He charged the Vice-Chancellor to enhance professional development and welfare of staff and students to ensure effective academic activities. Prof Oduro gave the advice in Accra on Saturday at the investiture ceremony of Prof Acakpovi to serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2029. Prof Acakpovi served as Acting Vice-Chancellor since 2023 after replacing Prof Samuel Nii Odai. Prof Oduro urged the Vice-Chancellor to empower staff and genuinely trust the expertise of faculty and professional staff. “Create an enabling environment for the Student Representative Councils to function responsibly. “Do not micromanage; delegate intentionally and intentionally delegate and supervise,” he said. “To the university community and other stakeholders, I wish to remind you that leadership does not succeed in isolation.” He said the success of Prof Acakpovi would depend on the collective support of the Governing Council, the commitment of management, the professional dedication of teaching staff and non-teaching staff, and the students. “Let us remember that a Vice-Chancellor can set the direction, but it is the community that turns vision into reality,” he said. “Turning vision into reality should therefore be the heartbeat between you and Council members, Registrar, Deans, heads of department, faculty, Administrative staff, students and other stakeholders.” He expressed optimism that Prof Acakpovi’s leadership would succeed and consolidate its gains, deepen its impact, and position itself as a leading technical university in Ghana and beyond. He said the University held a special place in the heart of Ghana’s tertiary education because of its mandate of bridging theory and practice. Prof Oduro said the government’s agenda for a 24-hour economy demanded that technical universities prioritize practical skills development. Prof Acakpovi, in his acceptance speech, said since assuming office as the Acting Vice-Chancellor in July 2023, the University had recorded significant institutional progress. Academic offerings were expanded with the development of 25 postgraduate programmes, 17 fully accredited and operational and the accreditation of 30 four-year BTech programmes. He said the University had enhanced its research governance frameworks, expanded grant mobilisation, and increased publications in internationally indexed journals. Dr Clement Apaak, the Deputy Minister of Education, in a speech read on his behalf, urged the Vice-Chancellor to build a university that remained close to industry. “Build systems that support staff and students. Build confidence in the quality of teaching and training. Technical education must lead to skills that work in the real world,” he said. “It must prepare graduates not only to find jobs but also to create opportunities for others.” GNA Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe