GCTU has officially launched the GCTU Pensioners Association on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025 at the Tesano campus.
The event, which was held under the theme “Creating a New Era between Pensioners and GCTU for Institutional Advancement,” was meant to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the University’s pensioners while outlining a renewed commitment to collaboration and mutual growth.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the University Council, Ing. Divine D.K. Kpetigo, described the event as a momentous milestone in the history of the University. He emphasized that the creation of the Association represents not only recognition, but also a reaffirmation of the University’s respect for the individuals whose dedication and service helped shape GCTU into the institution it is today.
Speaking on the theme, Ing. Kpetigo noted that it comes at a crucial time as the University seeks to redefine and strengthen its relationship with its retirees. He explained that the theme challenges the institution to rethink how it engages with those who devoted years of service to its development.
“Today, as we celebrate them, we also affirm our belief that their journey with us does not end at retirement but rather evolves.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, who later joined the ceremony, expressed his excitement at being part of what he described as a historic and proud moment in the University’s journey. He acknowledged how the institution’s name has evolved over the years, from Ghana Telecom Training Centre to its current GCTU, but emphasized that regardless of which version of the University staff belonged to, “you are still a staff of this institution.”
Prof. Afoakwa stressed that retirement is an inevitable chapter in everyone’s professional life and for that reason, it is important to build a strong, united and proactive association that prioritizes the welfare of its members. He encouraged pensioners and current staff to continue engaging, supporting each other, and strengthening the bond that connects them to the University.
Delivering the keynote address, the Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, described the event as a profound moment of reflection and appreciation for those who have contributed significantly to GCTU over the years. He stressed that the launch was not merely another gathering on the University’s calendar, but “a celebration of legacy, wisdom, and the enduring bond between our pensioners and the University.”
“Today, this Association becomes a community where the wisdom of our pensioners will continue to guide and inspire us all,” he stated.
He concluded with a call to unity and collective action: “Let us build a culture where generations work together, where innovation is rooted in experience.
The Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Malcalm, who spoke earlier on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, described the launch as the beginning of a transformational chapter in GCTU’s institutional evolution. He noted that this new era will “hand-craft practical and sustainable engagement mechanisms, including a formal platform that brings our retired experts into strategic dialogue, policy development, quality assurance, governance reforms, and institutional culture shaping.”
Prof. Malcalm reminded the audience that “institutions that silence their heritage, weaken their future, but institutions that harness the accumulated wisdom of their elders, become resilient, grounded, and visionary.”
He concluded with a powerful affirmation of GCTU’s commitment to its retirees: “As we launch this new relationship, let it be said that at GCTU, we do not simply honour our past; we activate it. We do not merely celebrate our contributors; we continue to learn from them.”
New Executives of the GCTU Pensioners Association
As part of the ceremony, a distinguished leadership team was inaugurated, comprising the following members:
- Prof. Kofi Bobi Barimah– Chairman
- Mrs. Susan Aryee – Vice Chairperson
- Dr. Pius Kwame Agyekum – Secretary
- Mr. Alfred Arthur – Treasurer
- Mr. Gregory Osei Mensah – Organizer / Welfare Secretary
The logo of the Association was unveiled by the Council Chairman, the VC, and the Chairman of the Pensioners Association. In a related development, awards being presented to Dr. Emmanuel Adjepong and Dr. Kwame Owusu Afram for their outstanding roles in pioneering the formation of the association.
The launch ceremony was attended by management, faculty, staff and pensioners, all of whom lauded the initiative as a progressive and forward-looking move.
With this development, GCTU signals its commitment to building a future informed by the wisdom of the past, ensuring that the legacy of its pioneers continues to shape the institution for generations to come.
Click on the link below to see more pictures from the event:
https://site.gctu.edu.gh/photo-gallery?category=gctu_launches_pensioners_association
