Asantehene Launches KNUST 75th Anniversary as University of Ghana VC Assumes Global Leadership of Worldwide Universities Network

Ghana’s higher education sector has reached significant milestones with the official launch of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) 75th-anniversary celebrations and the historic appointment of University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, as the Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN). These developments underscore a period of both retrospective celebration and forward-looking global leadership for the nation's premier academic institutions. While KNUST reflects on nearly eight decades of scientific and technological contribution under the patronage of the Asantehene, the University of Ghana’s leadership is extending its influence across the international research landscape, bridging gaps between the Global North and South. In Kumasi, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, presided over the launch of KNUST’s anniversary under the theme, "From excellence to eminence: 75 years of KNUST." A central highlight of the event was the unveiling of a commemorative book titled “70 years of global impact,” which chronicles the university's journey and its transformative role in national development. The launch served as a major fundraising platform, with the first copies of the book generating significant financial support for the institution’s future projects. Vice-Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson noted that the anniversary is not merely a celebration of age but a testament to the university's evolution into a world-class hub for innovation, outlining a strategic plan intended to propel the institution into a new era of eminence. Simultaneously, the University of Ghana has gained international recognition through the appointment of Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo as the new Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN). Succeeding Professor Bill Flanagan, Prof. Amfo makes history as a leader whose appointment reflects a deepening commitment to diversity and global representation within the network. Having previously served as Vice-Chair, her new role will focus on strengthening collaborative research partnerships to address pressing global challenges. Prof. Amfo has expressed a clear vision to enhance the impact of these partnerships, particularly by fostering more equitable and productive academic exchanges between institutions in the Global North and the Global South. These dual achievements highlight the rising profile of Ghanaian universities on both local and international stages. The 75th-anniversary activities at KNUST, which will include community projects and academic competitions, emphasize the university’s deep-rooted connection to the Ghanaian social fabric. Meanwhile, Prof. Amfo’s leadership at WUN signals Ghana’s readiness to shape the future of global higher education policy and research. Together, these events reflect a robust academic environment where tradition and global integration coexist to drive the country’s intellectual and socio-economic advancement.