KsTU Introduces New VC and Pro VC to Asantehene
A nine-member delegation from the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) introduced the institution’s newly appointed Vice-Chancellor (VC), and Pro Vice-Chancellor to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The Chairman of the University Council, Prof Dr Ben Baffoe-Bonnie made the formal presentation of the two during a courtesy visit at the Manhyia Palace on Friday, March 1, 2024.
Introducing Prof. Gabriel Dwomoh as the new VC, Prof Baffoe-Bonnie said he is a native of Mampong Kontonkyi and had been at the post for the past six months.
“He has been at the post for the past six months and therefore there was a need to bring him here and introduce him to you formally as tradition demands.”
He further introduced the institution’s first female Pro VC, Ing Prof Abena Agyeiwaa Obiri-Yeboah.
“She is KsTU’s first female Pro Vice-Chancellor. We hope this will set the tone for the appointment of the first female Vice Chancellor of the institution in the near future.”
Additionally, he congratulated the King on his 25th Anniversary, saying, “He (Otumfuo) has exhibited exemplary leadership and taken the enviable Kingdom to the world.”
The appointment of the new VC took effect on January 1, 2024, while Prof Dwomoh was formally inducted on January 19.
In a submission, Prof Dwomoh expressed his immense gratitude to traditional authorities for releasing all lands the school own now at no cost to them.
“It has been six months since I took over as VC. I thank Nananom for the land they bequeathed to us in 1954 at Danyame. We still occupy that land. We didn’t pay a single dime for it. I appreciate it a lot. The same applies to our land at Amakom and Adakwagyakye.”
He further pleaded for the intervention of His Majesty in retaining the residence of four out of the 12 senior staff members of the KsTU who are being relocated by the Lands Commission for a redevelopment project at Danyame.
According to him, the relocation of the VC, the Pro VC, the Registrar and the Director of Finance along with eight others will take a negative toll on the operation of the University.
“The Lands Commission not too long ago informed us about plans to develop the Danyame land and asked for our relocation. We have 12 bungalows there and out of that, the bungalow of four of them are critical to the institution.”
He noted that the remaining eight staff would be relocated to a place rented by the Lands Commission.
In reaction, Otumfuo congratulated the appointees on their new role and underscored the significance of technical universities for national development and reduction in unemployment.
He averred that technical universities are critical to endowing students with the requisite skills for nation-building and solving national challenges.
“I am looking forward to seeing your products starting up businesses with the acquired skills. Not everyone can be employed by the government or the private sector, some will have to turn entrepreneurs. Skills are what many developed countries like Germany exploited to develop. We have to emulate that.”
He also urged the VC and the Pro VC to unite for the better course of the institution.
Meanwhile, the Occupant of the Golden Stool charged Mr Mark Kakraba Ampeh, a University Council member to follow up on the issue of the Danyame land with the Lands Commission.
The delegation included but was not limited to the Registrar, Mr. Kofi Boakye; the Deputy Registrar, Mrs. Mary Akom; Director of Finance, Mr. James Osei Brobey; and University Council member, Mr. Mark Kakraba Ampeh.
