The Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana (VCTU-G) have marked ten years since the historic conversion of Ghana’s polytechnics into Technical Universities, describing the reform as a major milestone in the country’s education and skills development transformation.
The commemoration formed part of the 4th Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities of Ghana (ARCTUG 2026), hosted by Takoradi Technical University at the Nicholas Aidoo-Taylor Auditorium.
President John Dramani Mahama, who was the Guest of Honour, reflected on the 2016 reform, noting that the decision was aimed at repositioning Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a driver of industrialisation, innovation, and applied research.
“Exactly 10 years ago in this very auditorium, we took the bold decision to convert the Polytechnics into Technical Universities… today we can be proud of the work that we did,” he said.
As part of the anniversary celebration, a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony was held to mark the 10-year milestone of the transformation. The President, together with Vice Chancellors and other dignitaries, jointly participated in the ceremony to commemorate the journey of the Technical University system.
He explained that the transformation has strengthened Ghana’s technical education landscape, expanded access to higher-level skills training, and improved collaboration between academia and industry.
However, the President stressed that the reform agenda is still ongoing, with continued investments needed in infrastructure, laboratories, research systems, and industry partnerships to fully realise the vision of the Technical University system.
He emphasized that modern economies are increasingly driven by knowledge, innovation, and productivity rather than natural resources alone.
“This conference comes at a critical moment in our national journey. Across the world, countries succeeding economically are those that have successfully connected education to industry, research to production and innovation to enterprise,” he noted.
President Mahama further underscored the importance of Technical Universities in driving entrepreneurship and job creation, urging stronger focus on translating research into practical, commercially viable solutions.
He also reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening TVET through investments in infrastructure and expanded STEM education, including Artificial Intelligence and robotics at the basic education level.
Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu assured stakeholders of government’s continued support for sustainable TVET funding to enhance national development outcomes.
Chairman of VCTU-G, Ing. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah, described the anniversary as a reflection point on the progress made in strengthening applied research, innovation, and industry collaboration within Technical Universities.
He noted that the reform has elevated TVET, expanded opportunities for young people, and strengthened the role of Technical Universities as strategic national assets.
Vice Chancellor of Takoradi Technical University, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, highlighted the importance of Technical Universities in delivering practical education, applied research, and innovation-driven development.
He said the ARCTUG platform continues to serve as a key national forum for promoting research commercialization, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
The conference brought together Vice Chancellors, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and development partners to review progress over the past decade and chart the future of Technical University education in Ghana.
The event was climaxed with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony to formally mark ten years of the transformation of Ghana’s polytechnic system into Technical Universities, reaffirming the shared commitment of stakeholders to strengthen TVET as a cornerstone of national industrial development.
The Vice Chancellors present at the conference included Prof. Ben Quarshie Honyenuga, Vice Chancellor of Ho Technical University; Prof. Kwaku A. Ayim Boakye, Vice Chancellor of Cape Coast Technical University; Prof. Gabriel Dwomoh, Vice Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University; Prof. John Owusu, Vice Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University; Prof. Bashiru Imoro Saeed, Vice Chancellor of Tamale Technical University; Prof. Hamidatu S. Darimani, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University; and Mr. Joseph Mensah Oti-Asirifi, Executive Secretary of the VCTU-G.
