The newly-constituted 15-member Governing Council of GCTU has been officially inaugurated by the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, at a brief but significant ceremony on 3rd June 2025 at the Ministry of Education’s Conference Room.
The Council, which is chaired by a seasoned telecommunications expert, Mr. Divine D. K. Kpetigo, took the oaths of office and secrecy administered by the Minister. Mr. Kpetigo has decades of experience, including his tenure with Ghana Telecom, which later transitioned to Vodafone Ghana
In his address, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu expressed deep personal and professional satisfaction in inaugurating the new Council, recalling his critical role in the establishment of the then Ghana Telecom University during his time as Minister for Communications.
“But for my actions and decisions back then, there would have been no Ghana Telecom University of Technology,” he noted. “Despite the challenges – including accusations of bribery during the Vodafone acquisition – our commitment ensured that this institution survived and thrived.”
The Minister used the occasion to challenge the University to position itself as a niche institution in science, technology, engineering and innovative communication. He emphasized the government’s vision to integrate Artificial Intelligence and coding into Ghana’s basic education curriculum and encouraged GCTU to take a leading role in preparing the country for the digital future.
“We expect you to roll out academic training that will empower public and private institutions in Ghana with AI capabilities,” he stated. “Let’s explore how Ghana can move towards a paperless public service – a task GCTU is well-positioned to lead.”
Hon. Iddrisu also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the University’s infrastructure and resource needs, including the completion of its multipurpose administration block, enhancement of ICT labs and provision of essential equipment and vehicles. He further mentioned ongoing discussions with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the GETFund to secure additional funding for GCTU’s developmental projects.
Mr. Divine D. K. Kpetigo, in his acceptance remarks as Chair of the Governing Council, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Minister and acknowledged his instrumental role in preserving the University’s legacy.
“When Vodafone bought Ghana Telecom, they made it clear they were not interested in the University. It was the Minister’s intervention that saved us,” Mr. Kpetigo said. “As we look to the future, GCTU must now broaden its focus to include modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. We must collaborate with industry and global partners to ensure our students receive the hands-on experience needed to thrive.”
He concluded by calling for stronger institutional collaborations and renewed focus on aligning GCTU’s academic direction with technological advancements critical to national and global development.
The other members of the Council are the Vice-Chancellor of GCTU, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa; the Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Mavis Asare Donkor; Representatives of Convocation, Prof. George Oppong Ampong (professorial) and Mrs. Victoria Amoah (non-professorial); a Representative of the Conference of Assisted Secondary Schools, Mr. Baro Primus; and three nominees of the President, Madam Augustina Akonnor (Ph.D.), Nana Mieza Agyavo Assyne and Janet Owusu Afriyie.
The rest are the SRC Representative, Mr. Gideon Asilenudzi; a Representative of the Alumni, Ms. Magdalene Lamptey; a Representative of GRASAG, Mr. Roger Tachie Doku Wills; a Representative of TEWU, Mr. Eric Adu-Gyamfi; a Representative of GAUA-GCTU, Dr. Kwame Owusu-Ansah Owusu Afram; and a Representative of UTAG, Dr. Patrick Acheampong.
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Clement Apaak, the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Mamle Andrews and other key officials as well as staff from the Ministry of Education.
