The newly appointed Director-General of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Mr. Zakaria Sulemana, on Tuesday, 15th April 2025, met with the Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities (TUs) in Ghana to strengthen collaboration and deepen stakeholder engagement. The meeting, held at 3:00 PM, brought together the leadership of all ten Technical Universities under the umbrella of the Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities – Ghana (VCTU-G) and provided a platform for Mr. Sulemana to officially introduce himself and present a renewed vision of cooperation between CTVET and the Technical Universities.
Mr. Sulemana, who assumed office in March 2025, emphasized the central role of Technical Universities in the execution of CTVET’s mandate. He noted that the Commission’s mission to regulate, promote, and administer technical and vocational education and training for transformation and innovation toward sustainable development cannot be achieved without the active involvement and support of Technical Universities. Welcoming the Director-General, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, Chair of VCTU-G and Vice Chancellor of Takoradi Technical University, lauded the professional diversity and expertise within the new leadership at CTVET. Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah of Sunyani Technical University also expressed confidence in the new Director-General’s leadership, stating his belief in a strengthened and productive partnership between the Commission and the universities.
The engagement featured open and constructive dialogue on critical issues affecting the Technical University space. The Vice Chancellors called for a more equitable distribution of training programmes across institutions and advocated for inclusivity to ensure no university is left behind. Concerns were also raised about the increasing number of student enrolments without corresponding investments in infrastructure and logistics, a situation they believe could undermine the quality of technical education.
In his response, Mr. Sulemana expressed appreciation for the insights and concerns shared. He assured the Vice Chancellors of CTVET’s commitment to collaborative and reform-driven approaches that will address existing challenges and advance shared goals. He emphasized that CTVET’s representation on the Governing Councils of all Technical Universities, along with existing Memoranda of Understanding, reflects not just legal obligations but a deep commitment to partnership and national development.
Mr. Sulemana also introduced the two newly appointed Deputy Directors-General of CTVET, Mr. Anthony Kwame Zu and Mr. Abdul-Rahaman Zakaria. Mr. Zu, formerly a lecturer and consultant from Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), and Mr. Zakaria, who previously served as Deputy Registrar at Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU), were appointed by President Mahama to support the leadership of the Commission. Their extensive experience in academia and university administration is expected to add momentum to the Commission’s transformational agenda.
Also present at the meeting were Sir Professor Elias N. K. Sowley (Dr Hilla Liman Technical University), Professor Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah (Sunyani Technical University), Professor Gabriel Dwomoh (Kumasi Technical University), Professor Bashiru Imoro Ibn Saeed (Tamale Technical University), and Professor Amevi Acakpovi (Accra Technical University). Also present was Mr. Joseph Oti-Asirifi, Executive Secretary of VCTU-G.
The meeting marked a significant step toward forging a more responsive partnership between CTVET and the Technical Universities as Ghana pushes forward in strengthening its technical and vocational education ecosystem.