Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo re-appointed as Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana
The University of Ghana (UG) recognising Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo’s outstanding leadership and significant contributions during her first term has re-appointed her as Vice-Chancellor, for a second four-year term, starting in October 2025.
This unanimous decision was made by the Governing Council of the University at its meeting on December 19, 2024, after considering the report of the Search Party appointed by the Council in October 2024, per Section 13 (3) and (26) of the University’s Statutes.
In a blog post on its website sighted by GhanaEducation.org, UG said: “As per Statute 13 (2), the Vice-Chancellor serves for an initial term of four years and is eligible for re-appointment for an additional term of up to four years only.
In accordance with Statute 13 (26), the process for re-appointment of the Vice-Chancellor is to begin a year prior to the vacancy. The process for re-appointment follows the same pattern for a new appointment, except that the incumbent shall be given a first option to justify a renewal of their appointment. This ensures a fair and transparent evaluation of the Vice-Chancellor’s performance and contributions.
The procedures outlined in Statute 13(3) and (26) were rigorously adhered to, reinforcing the University’s commitment to good governance and institutional continuity.”
Her re-appointment comes after the Council noted that throughout Professor Amfo’s first term, she demonstrated a high level of dedication to enhancing the teaching and learning environment at the University of Ghana.
The Legon University said notable achievements during her tenure include the modernisation of classrooms across the various campuses of the University, the implementation of the one-student-one-laptop (1S1L) initiative, the creation of hotspot comfort zones, the establishment of the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy (CEDSA), the introduction of Gender and Internship Policies and the effective resolution of the University’s debt burden resulting from previous litigation.
“Additionally, Professor Amfo spearheaded the establishment of the Legon Leadership Academy, an initiative designed to enrich the academic environment while advancing the University’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Her tenure has also been marked by remarkable strides in research management, digital transformation and community engagement, ensuring that the University remains at the forefront of innovation and societal impact.
Under Professor Amfo’s leadership, the University of Ghana solidified its reputation as the top-ranked tertiary institution in the country.
It excelled across key metrics such as education quality, research impact and societal contributions, as reflected in its strong performance in the Webometrics Rankings (2022), the AD Scientific Index (2022), the Global 2000 List by CWUR (2023) and the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings (2024),” UG added.
The University of Ghana also said Professor Amfo led the development of the University’s new Strategic Plan for 2024-2029, which articulates a vision to “achieve global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning, using a technology-driven and people-centred approach.”
“This plan outlines five strategic priorities: Transformative Student Experience, Impactful Research, Commitment to Faculty and Staff, Engagement and Partnerships, and Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship. Nicknamed the 5-4-5 blueprint, the five strategic priorities outlined in the five-year Strategic Plan have five strategic objectives each,” it said in the blog post on its official website.
As the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Amfo earned her Master’s and PhD degrees in Linguistics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in French and Linguistics from the University of Ghana.
Her contributions to academia have been recognised with numerous awards, with the most recent being the Legacy and Gadia State Award (2023), which was presented during the Head of State Awards Scheme.
She has also received the Ghana Woman of the Year for Excellence in Education Award from Glitz Africa in 2023 and the GUBA Nana Yaa Asantewaa Woman of Enlightenment Award in 2021.