Copyright gbcghanaonline
By: Mercy Nimo Professor Samuel Kwasi Dartey-Baah has taken over as the new Vice Chancellor of Central University. He succeeds Professor Bill Buenar Puplampu who served as Vice Chancellor of the University from 2017 until his retirement in 2025 and under whose leadership Central University experienced remarkable stability and growth. Central University is accredited by Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and has nine Faculties/ Schools with three campuses across the country. In his handing over address, the immediate past vice – chancellor Professor Buenar Bill Puplampu, thanked the central university Chancellor Rev. Dr. Mensa Otabil, the University’s predecessors, leadership, staff and students for their support and urged them to give more assistance to the new vice – Chancellor to succeed. Professor Dartey-Baah before his appointment as Vice – Chancellor, served in various positions at University of Ghana Legon. He served as Director of Institutional Advancement and also held key leadership roles including; two-term Head of the Department of Organisation, and Human Resource Management at University of Ghana. The Chancellor of Central University Reverend Dr. Mensa Otabil, conducted the investiture rites and prayed for Professor Dartey-Baah. In his supplications, Rev. Otabil among others encouraged the vice – chancellor to “ reflect on the leadership model that Christ Jesus expects from mankind. “ May your term in office be marked by righteousness, foresight and courageous action ” he added. The ceremony was spiced up with heartwarming music by Central University choir and other performers In his address, Professor Dartey-Baah expressed deep gratitude to God, his family, mentors, as well as the institutional stakeholders for their confidence in appointing him Vice-Chancellor. He particularly acknowledged the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bill Buenar Puplampu, for his leadership and achievements, highlighting the continuity of legacy that has brought Central University to its current position and called for support from the staff in his quest to consolidate the position of Central University as the leader in producing the best human power for national development. The vice chancellor laid out a structured vision aimed at transforming Central University into a model 21st-century African university, building his vision on five strategic pillars which includes: . Promoting Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Research . Fostering a Student-Centred Environment . Ensuring Financial Sustainability . Enhancing Brand, Compliance, and Community Engagement . Cultivating a High-Performance Work Environment Faith, Innovation, and Purpose The vice chancellor again intoned that, as a faith-based institution, Central University’s identity is rooted in Kingdom values and underscored the need to be responsive to modern challenges, balancing faith with innovation, inculcating transformative education were theology, science, and social impact intersect. Additionally, he emphasized on nurturing of ethical character, National responsibility, Entrepreneurial mindset and Compassionate leadership and invited stakeholders: faculty, alumni, students, government, and civil society to partner in building this future. He also appealed to the Central University community for collective stewardship to fulfill the university’s divine mandate of raising transformational leaders. “We are not just educating minds; we are shaping destinies. Let us rise to the moment with bold ideas, firm resolve, and unwavering hope.” He said. The vice- chancellor touched on a critical national issue which is youth unemployment and misalignment between education and job market needs. He stressed that Ghana cannot continue educating youth for a future that does not exist and called for a major overhaul of the higher education. “We cannot build a 21st-century Ghana on a 20th-century higher education model” He said. Prof. Dartey-Baah positioned Central University as an agile, innovative institution ready to lead in bridging the gap, emphasizing the need for education to be a launchpad for innovation, productivity, and purpose and not merely a paper chase. The vice – chancellor also made an appeal to the government of Ghana to recognize and support private universities as equal partners in national development. He emphasized that, private universities educate a significant share of tertiary students, mentioning that they are not competitors but co-builders of the national future and called for policy parity, research funding, faculty development programs as well as infrastructure support. He called for inclusion in national education planning. “We are not asking for favours, we are asking for fairness, to be empowered to contribute more meaningfully to the development of our country” He added.
