Accra: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has urged the newly inaugurated board of Accra Technical University (ATU) to ensure transparency in appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor. He gave the directive on Tuesday during the inauguration of the 19-member board in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister highlighted the urgency of filling the Vice-Chancellor position, which has been vacant for the past two years, warning that the continued vacancy could impede the institution's operations. During the inauguration, board members took the oath of office and secrecy, administered by Mr Iddrisu.
Mr Iddrisu charged the board to uphold ATU's mandate of delivering higher education in engineering, technical, and vocational training. He advocated for the prioritisation of students from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) backgrounds in the admission process. He also praised ATU for its expansion into postgraduate programmes, reflecting its growing reputation.
The Minister underscored the role of technical education in addressing youth unemployment, challenging the stigma that technical and vocational schools are for less academically inclined students. He proposed branding the university as a viable alternative route for employment.
Mr Iddrisu further addressed delays in infrastructure development at ATU, mentioning that he has requested an inventory of uncompleted projects from GETFund. He committed to completing these projects, including the university's administration block, which is 85 per cent complete.
Professor Ernest Kofi Abotsi, Chairman of the Board, expressed gratitude for the Minister's trust and affirmed that appointing a Vice-Chancellor would be a priority. He assured that the process would adhere to due procedures, acknowledging that effective university operations depend on having a head.
