The Governing Council of the University of Ghana has announced the re-appointment of Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo as Vice-Chancellor for a second four-year term, commencing in October 2025.
In a statement, the university said this unanimous decision was reached during a meeting on December 19, 2024, following a rigorous evaluation of her leadership during her first term.
According to the University’s Statutes, Vice-Chancellors serve an initial four-year term and may be re-appointed for an additional term, as outlined in Sections 13(2) and (26). The process for re-appointment mirrors that of a new appointment, ensuring fairness and transparency.
Professor Amfo’s tenure has been marked by transformative initiatives that have enhanced the University’s academic and infrastructural landscape. Among her key achievements are the modernisation of classrooms, the implementation of the One-Student-One-Laptop (1S1L) initiative, and the establishment of hotspot comfort zones across campuses. She also spearheaded the creation of the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy (CEDSA) and introduced Gender and Internship Policies.
One of her landmark initiatives was addressing the University’s debt burden, a legacy issue stemming from prior litigation. Her leadership also saw the launch of the Legon Leadership Academy, aimed at fostering academic excellence, inclusivity, and diversity.
The University thrived under her stewardship, achieving top rankings in various global indices, including the Webometrics Rankings, the AD Scientific Index, and the Global 2000 List by CWUR. In 2024, the University excelled in the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.
During her second term, Professor Amfo aims to consolidate these gains and address persistent challenges. She is focused on implementing the University’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, which is anchored on five priorities: Transformative Student Experience, Impactful Research, Commitment to Faculty and Staff, Engagement and Partnerships, and Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship. This ambitious “5-4-5 blueprint” outlines strategic objectives to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.
As the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Amfo has been a champion of innovation and digitalisation. Her efforts include launching a comprehensive digitalisation programme to improve the University experience for all stakeholders.
Beyond her role at the University, Professor Amfo is actively engaged in several prominent organisations, including the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and the African Research Universities Alliance. She serves as President of the Fédération Internationale des Langues et Littératures Modernes (FILLM) and Vice-Chair of ARUA, among others.
Her academic achievements are equally commendable, holding a PhD in Linguistics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in French and Linguistics from the University of Ghana. Her excellence has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the Ghana Woman of the Year for Excellence in Education Award (2023) and the Legacy and Gadia State Award (2023).
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