The University of Ghana’s commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and learning has gained fresh momentum with the successful completion of the fourth annual Management Retreat. This year’s retreat, held from January 16 to 19, 2025, at the scenic Volta Hotel in Akosombo, provided a platform to assess progress and fine-tune strategies under the University’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan.
Instituted by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the annual retreat has become a cornerstone event for fostering collaboration, reviewing milestones, and shaping the institution’s future. This year, it brought together senior management, deans, and directors to evaluate the University’s 2024 achievements and set new goals under the “5-4-5” Strategic Plan.
The plan focuses on five key priorities:
- Transformative Student Experience
- Impactful Research
- Commitment to Faculty and Staff
- Engagement and Partnerships
- Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship
In her opening address, Prof. Amfo emphasized that the success of the Strategic Plan hinges on collective effort. “This plan cannot be implemented by the Vice-Chancellor’s Office or the Registrar’s Office alone,” she noted. “It requires the active participation of every member of the University community.”
To enhance transparency and engagement, she announced the development of an online system for real-time reporting on strategic initiatives. This initiative, she explained, would ensure accountability and keep stakeholders actively involved in achieving institutional goals.
Prof. Amfo also highlighted the need to boost graduate student enrollment and retention, stressing its role in strengthening UG’s academic profile. “While we have made strides, we must do more to strike a better balance between graduate and undergraduate training,” she stated.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare, detailed key tools designed to streamline the implementation of the Strategic Plan. These include an action plan template and an online reporting platform for real-time tracking of progress. Additionally, he unveiled a communication strategy and a planned roadshow to create awareness and foster participation across the University’s colleges and units.
“We intend to engage students as well, ensuring their input is integrated into the transformative student experience priority,” Prof. Awandare added.
Registrar Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah reinforced the need for shared responsibility in executing the Strategic Plan. Drawing insights from the Registry Management Seminar, she emphasized setting clear responsibilities and achievable targets. “The success of this plan lies in our ability to bring our teams along,” she remarked, urging University leaders to inspire ownership within their respective units.
The retreat featured a series of sessions moderated by esteemed faculty members, covering various aspects of strategic implementation. Key discussions included:
- Tracking Strategic Plan Implementation: Moderated by Prof. Akosua Darkwah, with insights from Prof. Awandare and Prof. John Effah, Director of Institutional Research and Planning.
- Effective Strategic Execution: A session led by Mr. Anthony Sarpong of KPMG, facilitated by Prof. Justice Bawole, Dean of the University of Ghana Business School.
- Panel Discussions on College Strategies: Provosts and Deans presented their colleges’ strategic goals, achievements, and proposed solutions to pressing challenges. Notable panelists included Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana (College of Basic and Applied Sciences), Prof. Alfred Yawson (College of Health Sciences), and Prof. Joseph Awetori Yaro (College of Humanities), among others.
- University Ranking Systems: A deep dive into methodologies and strategies for enhancing UG’s global standing, led by Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo and Mr. Jacob Zuttah from the Research and Innovation Directorate.
- Graduate Student Enrollment and Retention: Chaired by Prof. Awandare and Prof. Robert Darko Osei, this session explored interventions to improve enrollment and retention rates.
- Internship Policy Operationalisation: Led by Rev. Dr. Bridget Ben-Naimah, Director of the Careers and Counselling Directorate, focusing on strengthening internship structures across the University.
- Action Plan Development for 2025: Facilitated by Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah, Director of Institutional Advancement, guiding colleges and central administration in aligning their objectives for the coming year.
The retreat concluded with the presentation of action plans by various units, setting the stage for a focused and coordinated approach to achieving UG’s strategic objectives. In her closing remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Amfo applauded participants for their engagement and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence.
To ensure a balanced work-retreat experience, participants also engaged in recreational activities, providing an opportunity to unwind and strengthen professional relationships.
With a renewed sense of purpose and a structured approach to implementation, UG’s leadership remains confident that the strategies outlined during the retreat will propel the University towards its goal of making a global impact through transformative education, research, and sustainable development practices.
