UG’s New Strategic Plan (2024-2029) and Key Documents Launched and Outdoored
A new era is underway at University of Ghana, as the premier University has launched a new Strategic Plan and outdoored three other critical documents to chart the course for the University’s future development.
These documents include the Revised Statutes, Research Strategy and Manual on Human Resource Management and Administrative Policies and Procedures.
With an aim to reflect the University's dedication to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of academic and research excellence on the global stage, UG's new vision focuses on achieving global impact through innovative research, teaching, and learning, using a technology-driven and people-centred approach.
This vision is anchored on five strategic pillars: Transformative Student Experience; Impactful Research; Commitment to our Faculty and Staff; Engagement and Partnerships and Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship.
Beginning her address as Chairperson of the ceremony, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo (Rtd.), who is also Chair of the University Council, welcomed the gathering, stating the need to “celebrate the culmination of months of meticulous research, thoughtful deliberation and collaboration among faculty, staff and students who have painstakingly contributed to the design, development, review and approval of these four documents.”
She seized the moment to commend the teams that worked tirelessly to develop the documents and thanked all stakeholders for their valuable input.
The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan was enthusiastically launched by the Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, Guest of Honour at the ceremony. She iterated some significant strides made in various areas of the University, over the past years and noted her confidence in the University’s readiness to face the next five years guided by the new Strategic Plan.
Presenting highlights of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, admitted that it will take a concerted effort from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners to ensure a successful implementation.
Prof. Amfo acknowledged all the Committee Chairs and members. Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement and Prof. Nana Akua Anyidoho, Director, Centre for Social Policy Studies were Chair and Co-chair of the Strategic Plan Development Committee; the Research Strategy Development Committee was chaired by Prof. Felix Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development and the Statutes Review Committee, by Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Dean, School of Law.
Additionally, the Manual on Human Resource Management and Administrative Policies and Procedures was chaired by Mr. Samson Dontoh, Chief Executive Officer & Lead Consultant at ServAid.
Outlining the details of the Strategic Plan, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Amfo, explained all the five strategic priorities, encapsulated in the mantra, 5 for 5 (5-4-5), which she encouraged members of the University to embrace.
The two Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante (in charge of Research, Innovation & Development) and Prof. Gordon A. Awandare (responsible for Academic and Student Affairs), took turns to make presentations.
Prof. Asante provided an overview of the Research Strategy and outlined the University’s goals for collaborative and impactful research. Prof. Gordon A. Awandare, on the other hand, shared highlights of the Revised Statutes and the Manual on Human Resource Management and Administrative Policies and Procedures.
In brief remarks, the Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. Dr. John Ntim Fordjour, lauded the University’s Management for the development of the strategic documents. “The Ministry of Education assures of our continued support in the implementation of this Strategic Plan, the running of the University and attainment of your strategic objectives,” he pledged.
Rev. Dr. Ntim Fordjour charged the University to maintain its lead on the continent, as the preferred institution for research and higher education.
Earlier, the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia N. K. Agyei-Mensah, spoke highly of the processes leading to the development of the four documents. She revealed the intentional efforts, through extensive discussion and consultation, undertaken to achieve stakeholder buy-in before gaining the University Council’s approval.
Mrs. Agyei-Mensah called on "all stakeholders to embrace the documents and play their role in achieving our strategic goals."
The Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah, at the beginning of the ceremony, welcomed all present and declared the purpose of gathering. In her remarks, she encouraged the University’s publics “to own the Strategic Plan, walk it and talk it to collectively achieve the intended vision for a greater impact.”
She recounted the successes chalked under the erstwhile strategic plan (2014-2024). "I am proud to mention that the implementation of this strategic plan over the past years has seen the University of Ghana consistently ranked as the top or one of the top institutions in Ghana with significant positions in various global rankings as well," said Dr. Ameyaw-Buronyah.
In the Chairperson’s final remarks, Justice (Rtd.) Sophia Akuffo admonished all to play their role in the implementation of the documents launched and outdoored. “I look forward to seeing how their adoption pans out and improves the work and functioning of our dear University. Let us use these new resources and work together to build a University of Ghana that is truly world-class in all aspects”, said Justice Sophia Akuffo (Rtd.)
The event was interspersed with colourful performances by the Department of Dance Studies, the Wind Ensemble from the Department of Music and the Ghana Dance Ensemble from the Institute of African Studies.
It is anticipated that members of the University community - students, employees, office holders as well as friends and stakeholders of the University will work to achieve the set strategic goals and commit to excellence, innovation and service to Ghana and humanity.
Several dignitaries were present at the launch, including past Vice-Chancellors, members of the University Council, past and present senior officers of the University, friends of the University, staff and students. There was also an active online audience, who joined the ceremony via the University’s YouTube and Facebook channels.