The immediate past Director, Directorate of Legal, Consular and General Services (DLCGS), UCC, Mr. Moses Abnory has officially assumed office as the Registrar of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) at an investiture ceremony held in Takoradi.
The same ceremony saw the investiture and induction of Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Victor Kweku Bondzie Micah, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Gabriel Sam Arhinful as the Director of Finance.
Mr. Abnory boasts of over two decades of experience both at the senior and management levels as a university administrator. He rose through the ranks as a Senior Administrative Assistant in 1996 and became a Deputy Registrar in 2012.
Charge to the New Officers
Speaking at the event the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the University, Dr. (Mrs.) Henrietta Abane, thanked the search committee for selecting accomplished men with huge and varied wealth of experiences in their respective fields to lead and manage the University. The Council chair also thanked all stakeholders for their support throughout the selection process and solicited their cooperation and support for the new team to move the University forward. Mrs Abane indicated that challenges would come but with perseverance and tenacity of purpose they could achieve their goals and charged the new team saying “You should deal with all manner of persons in a fair and firm manner”.
Vice-Chancellor's Vision
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John F. Eshun outlining his plans, promised to do his best to sustain the image of the University saying that “the appointment has come at a time that TTU wants to redefine TVET education in Ghana”. Prof. Eshun said he would work hard to improve on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), rebrand TTU, promote research and development and forge both local and foreign partnerships among others. “We need to have a vision that trains students to be highly skilled for the world of work, make TTU a research hub and expand partnership”, he stated.
The Vice-Chancellor said, “My vision is to bring innovation that delivers on my mandate, deepen the focus on diversification of both staff and students”.
“The task of directing TTU is like directing a boat, all paddlers must do so in the same direction”, he indicated. He promised to work with all for the university to reach its full potential.
Adjust to Changes in Tertiary Institutions Landscape
Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Kwesi Yankah, said the education landscape in Ghana was changing and for that reason, TTU must also change to reflect the times. Explaining further, the Minister said, the change of the institution’s status to technical University, if not handled well, would not achieve the desired results. “This transition has seen a lot of hurdles; however, it is all good. We must check them so they do not become monsters. TTU must chart a new path”, he emphasised.
Prof. Yankah said skills development in vocational and technical learning would transform Africa by making the young one’s masters of their own by employing people. “This will let them be employers and not employees”.
Caution
The Minister cautioned the University not to seek academic paths as the traditional universities, rather they should introduce programmes that are relevant to their cause by pursuing diversification and differentiation and set the pace for others to follow and not follow the crowd. He called on the Vice-Chancellor to pioneer a trend of getting a tried and tested template in the training of oil and gas professionals.
The Minister called on the foundation Vice-Chancellor to show the way for staff and students to follow. “I urge you all to give your best to ensure that the vision of the Vice-Chancellor though arduous, it can be achieved”.