The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, has said that excellence must be part of the values of the University.
Prof. Afoakwa made the remark during his address to the University’s staff at the third edition of the Annual Staff Durbar on Friday, January 31, 2025.
The event which brought together all categories of staff, served as a platform for the Vice-Chancellor to outline his vision for the University in 2025.
In his address, Prof. Afoakwa emphasized the University’s commitment to excellence, stating, “If it must be done, it must be done well.
Excellence is my hallmark and as a university, it must be part of our values.” He expressed gratitude to the staff for their dedication and contributions towards making GCTU a leading institution in ICT education and innovation.
Key Achievements in 2024
- Timely graduation of over 1,500 students, enhancing GCTU’s reputation.
- Major infrastructural upgrades, including office renovations, a modern reception and a state-of-the-art library.
- Growth in student applications, with 8,800 applications, 6,400 admissions and nearly 12,000 total enrolments.
Strategic Focus for 2025
- Enhancing Student Experience & Retention: Aiming for a 99% graduation rate and creating a conducive learning environment.
- Staff Growth & Development: Continued sponsorship for advanced degrees with over 120 staff members benefiting since 2018.
- Infrastructure Expansion: Renovation of staff offices, expansion of student facilities and establishment of a new Computer Engineering Laboratory to train students in Innovative Technology and Entrepreneurship.
- Renewable Energy & Sustainability: Launching a Solar PV Installation and Training Center.
- Digital Learning Enhancement: Strengthening online and distance education programmes.
Commitment to Staff Development
The VC assured continuous training for all staff categories and reaffirmed fair promotion policies. He encouraged staff affected by the GTUC-GCTU transition to go through examinations and regain their ranks.
Research & Academic Excellence
- Lecturers must publish at least three research papers annually.
- A database of 2024 research outputs will be compiled.
- External research grants are encouraged, with management ceasing funding for international conferences without external sponsorship.
Welfare & Resource Support
- Completion of payment of Tier 3 pension arrears; Tier 2 payments to be finalized by next year.
- Acquisition of new desktop computers, laptops and printers to enhance work efficiency.
GCTU’s Growing Reputation & Expansion Plans
- GCTU placed 6th in Ghana’s University Rankings.
- Plans to increase faculty strength to match the growing student population.
- Commitment to merit-based staff promotions.
Graduate Programmes & Certifications
- Expansion of postgraduate programmes across all Departments.
- Integration of professional certifications into Masters programmes.
- Targeting 2,000 postgraduate students in the next two years.
Infrastructure Development
- Completion of the 8-storey building with lecture halls, offices and labs by September 2025.
- Development of an 8-storey hostel through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
- CITSET nearing completion to position GCTU as Ghana’s premier ICT training hub.
Strategic Cost-Cutting Measures
- Phasing out rented campuses to save GCTU GHS 500,000 annually.
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Consolidating operations within permanently owned facilities.
Staff Recognition & Future Outlook
The VC acknowledged hardworking staff and reaffirmed his leadership from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2029. He urged staff to embrace collaboration, accountability and innovation to transform GCTU into Ghana’s Silicon Valley.
“Together, we will build GCTU into a hub of excellence, innovation, and academic growth,” he concluded.
