Inauguration of AAMUSTED Council

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The Foundation Governing Council of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) was inaugurated on November 27, 2020, to pave the way for Ghana’s latest public university to swing into full operation. 

A group photograph of the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, some members of the AAMUSTED Governing Council, and Management Members of the UEW.

AAMUSTED has the core mandate to train Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teachers as part of a meticulously planned effort by the government to mainstream skills development and training for industrialization, sustainable job creation, and economic development in the country.

The Minister of Education (MoE), Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, swore the 16-member Governing Council into office, on behalf of the President, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and underscored the government’s conviction in the critical role that TVET plays to achieve expeditious industrialisation and development of the country.

Members of the AAMUSTED Governing Council (standing) swearing the Oaths of Office and Secrecy.

He charged members of the Council to remain focused on the core mandate of AAMUSTED, as provided in the AAMUSTED Act 2020 (Act 1026), and resist the temptation to veer into other areas (including academic programmes) that depart from the specific purpose for which the University has been established.

Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh addressing the gathering.

While reminding the Council of its role to provide leadership and direction to AAMUSTED within the confines of the government’s TVET vision and agenda, Dr. Opoku Prempeh asked the members, as a matter of urgency, to put in place mechanisms and processes for the recruitment of staff for the University and the admission of students for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Some staff of AAMUSTED  clapping hands in response to a comment during the ceremony.

The Minister asked them to ensure fairness and transparency in the processes since their actions in the present day would determine the future path of the University. 

In his response, the Chairman of Council of AAMUSTED, Mr. Paul Kwasi Agyemang, was thankful to the government for constituting a formidable Council and assured it that the Council shall take its responsibilities seriously and would deliver excellence.

Chairman of the AAMUSTED Governing Council, Mr. Paul Kwasi Agyemang.

He charged the staff of AAMUSTED to endear themselves to nothing short of excellence since that is going to be the University’s primary goal.

In a welcome address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo, touched briefly on the various tiring processes and efforts that have culminated into the birth of the University, and accordingly, encouraged the staff thus, “Now the ball is in our court. We have no option but to pick up our noble mandate and execute it to justify the efforts and sacrifices.”

Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo welcoming the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and other dignitaries to the swearing-in ceremony.

He also singled out a few personalities and institutions for praise and commendations for their unflinching support and efforts towards the founding of AAMUSTED.

Among them was President Akufo-Addo, whom he described as “Oseadeeyo” (literally meaning a Promise Fulfiller), for making good on his promise to grant autonomy to the Kumasi and Asante Mampong campuses of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), when he visited the Kumasi campus on December 1, 2019.

He mentioned His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his vision and commitment towards achieving the autonomy for the Kumasi and Asante Mampong campuses of UEW; the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei Mensah for their hard work, and the Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni and the Management of UEW for their role in the establishment of AAMUSTED.

Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful-Broni, for his part, pledged UEW’s continued support to ensure the success of AAMUSTED. A couple of years ago, he said, it became apparent that autonomy was imminent, so he deliberately made a strategic effort to ensure the replication of the academic programs of UEW on all of its four campuses. This was to guarantee a smooth take-off of AAMUSTED when the time was due.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (in blue short-sleeve shirt), and the Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni in a tet-a-tet during the ceremony.

He advised the management of AAMUSTED to concentrate their immediate efforts at improving staff quality through professional development and swift promotions.

Members of the Governing Council who were available to take the Oaths of Office and Secrecy, are the Council Chairman, Mr. Paul Kwasi Agyemang; Dr. Joseph A. Apprey, Nana Bamfi-Adomako, and Madam Nora Bannerman Abbott (all Government Nominees); the Acting Vice-Chancellor, AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo; and Prof. Mark Adom-Asamoah, Representative of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The others are Mr. Evans Douglas Salvo, APTVET Representative; Dr. Fred Kyei Asamoah, Representative of the Commission of TVET; and Dr. Yaw Adu Gyimah, Representative of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).

 
The Minister of Education in a group photograph with the AAMUSTED Governing Council and some Management Members of UEW.

While groups including SRC, GRASAG, Alumni, Convocation, UTAG, and TEWU were yet to submit their representatives to join the Council, one of the Government Nominees, Nana Ama A. Prempeh Gyesaw, could not attend the swearing-in ceremony. 

Some dignitaries at the high table during the ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo (2nd Right) in a hearty chat with the Council Chairman of UEW, Prof. Obeng Mireku (3rd right), Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful-Broni (1st left), and Registrar of UEW, Surv. Paul Osei Barima Esq. (in smock) as they walked away after the ceremony.