UPSA Celebrates 1,275 Graduates as UMB CEO Advocates for Integrity; Samuel Kofi Payitey Leads TEIN UniMAC-IJ

UPSA Celebrates Graduation of 1,275 Students as UniMAC-IJ Elects New TEIN President

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) successfully held its 18th Congregation, celebrating the academic achievements of 1,275 graduates. This milestone event coincided with significant leadership transitions in the student political landscape, as the Tertiary Education Institution Network (TEIN) at the University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) declared Samuel Kofi Payitey as its new president. Together, these developments highlight a vibrant period of academic and extracurricular growth within Ghana’s tertiary education sector. At the UPSA ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Kwaku Mensah Mawutor presided over a diverse group of graduates, which included 189 students from the UPSA Law School and 1,086 from the School of Graduate Studies. The 18th Congregation was particularly notable for producing the first cohorts of several new MPhil and specialized LLM programs. During his address, the Vice-Chancellor touched on the university's continued investment in infrastructure and research. He also addressed a recent security breach in the institution's results system, assuring the public and students that corrections had been promptly implemented to maintain the integrity of academic records. Guest speaker Dr. Philip Oti-Mensah, the CEO of Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), provided the keynote address, urging the graduates to prioritize purpose and reputation over professional titles. Dr. Oti-Mensah emphasized that long-term success is built on personal integrity, reliability, and a commitment to solving societal problems rather than merely seeking employment. He encouraged the Class of 2026 to view failure as a necessary learning tool and to maintain a sense of gratitude toward those who supported their journeys. These sentiments were echoed by Valedictorian Klenam Tsikata, who called on his peers to balance their professional ambitions with personal responsibilities. Parallel to these academic celebrations, the political atmosphere at UniMAC-IJ saw Samuel Kofi Payitey emerge victorious in the TEIN presidential election for the 2026/2027 academic year. Payitey secured 51.7% of the total votes, amounting to 104 ballots. Despite a petition filed with the Electoral Commission alleging campaign violations, the electoral body dismissed the claims, citing a lack of basis for disqualification under current regulations. The Commission has since called on all members to respect the democratic outcome to ensure a peaceful transition of leadership. These events underscore the dual focus of Ghanaian higher education: academic excellence and the cultivation of leadership. As the 1,275 UPSA graduates enter the workforce equipped with advanced degrees and professional advice from industry leaders, the new student leadership at UniMAC-IJ prepares to navigate the complexities of campus governance. These developments reflect a commitment to producing well-rounded individuals capable of contributing to the nation’s growth across various sectors, from law and business to media and politics.