Wisdom Tettey, a proud alumnus of the University of Ghana, has officially taken the helm as the 17th President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
The historic installation ceremony was held on Monday, June 16, and marked a significant milestone not just for Carleton University, but for Ghana’s global academic community. According to a release on Carleton’s official website, the event also coincided with the opening of the university’s convocation week—where over 5,400 students are graduating.
Before joining Carleton at the start of the year, Prof. Tettey served as Vice-President and Principal of the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, a position he held since 2018. But his academic journey began in Ghana, where he studied at the University of Ghana’s School of Communication Studies (now the Department of Communication Studies).
A Vision for Impact
In his inaugural address, President Tettey expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and shared an ambitious vision for Carleton’s future.
“I am grateful to the Carleton and Ottawa community for entrusting me with this role in such an important institution,” he said. “I am confident that, together, we will elevate our sights, enable Carleton’s unstoppable momentum and transform our world for the good of all.”
He called on the university to lean into its motto, Ours the Task Eternal, as a call to action for inclusive impact, global relevance, and purposeful education.
“The spirit of purposive higher education and community advancement is indelibly imprinted in Carleton’s motto,” he added. “Meeting our obligation in this regard requires the regenerative power of a vision that we develop together, embrace, nurture and co-own.”
With an eye on Carleton’s centennial in 2042, Tettey stressed the need to harness education, research, and leadership for meaningful change in society.
“Let us be inspired by the promise of possibilities our forebears cultivated; galvanized by common purpose; and energized by the spirit of mutuality,” he urged.
Championing Inclusion and Equity
True to his lifelong advocacy, President Tettey also emphasized the importance of upholding values like equity, inclusion, and belonging—especially during uncertain times.
“It is particularly imperative, now more than ever, that we stand together resolutely for fundamental values… and not jettison them because of the pressures of challenging circumstances or the discomfort of the powerful,” he said.
Ghanaian Culture on Display
The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances that paid tribute to Tettey’s Ghanaian heritage. Carleton’s West African Rhythm Ensemble, led by Prof. Kathy Armstrong with support from Stacey Can-Tamakloe, performed traditional Ewe pieces—Atsiagbekor and Gahu-Kinka—from the Anlo-Ewe region, the ancestral home of President Tettey.
Guest performer Kwashie Kuwor also led a powerful libation ceremony in both Ewe and English, invoking ancestral blessings and celebrating the significance of the occasion.
The event drew a wide array of dignitaries, including past presidents of Carleton, university leaders from across Canada, international guests, faculty, staff, and members of the university’s Senate and Board of Governors.
A Moment of Pride for Ghana
Tettey’s journey from the University of Ghana to leading one of Canada’s top research institutions is an inspiration to many. His leadership promises a bold, inclusive, and globally conscious future for Carleton University—and is a proud reminder of Ghana’s contribution to the global academic landscape.
📺 Watch President Tettey’s full installation address below.
