The 24th Congregation of the University was held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at the G.M. Afeti Auditorium, where a total of 1,552 students graduated.
They comprised, 3 Master of Technology, 512 Bachelor of Technology, and 1037 High National Diploma graduands, who successfully completed their various programmes of study in the 2022/2023 academic year.
The ceremony was presided over by Mrs. Levina Baah-Nuakoh, a government appointee on Council, representing Prof. Emmanuel James Flolu, Chairman of the University Council.
VC’s Address
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ben Honyenuga in his report to congregation, highlighted the significant progress the University has made. He reported a notable increase in faculty with PhD qualifications, reaching over 60 compared to 14 in 2019, reiterating his ambitious agenda of achieving at least 80% of faculty holding PhDs. He also announced the promotion of deputy registrars for the first time in the University’s history, as well as the elevation of two more Associate Professors, bolstering the Professorial rank to a total of seven (7) distinguished faculty members.
The VC also highlighted the increasing number of programme offerings in the University, and announced the onboarding of four new programmes. They include, BTech Biomedical Engineering, Bsc. Economics & Innovation, Btech. Real Estate & Facities Management and Btech. Architectural Technology.
Prof. Honyenuga further touched on improvements in infrastructure and facilities, including the creation of smart classrooms, the first-phase retooling of the Octagon computer laboratory, and the establishment of additional laboratories. These initiatives reflect the university’s dedication to fostering effective teaching, learning, and research.
The Vice-Chancellor underscored the University’s focus on student preparedness, citing exposure opportunities in local and international competitions. Notable successes included victories in the Joy Prime Big Chef Tertiary Cooking Competition and the 2023 StartUp Africa Pitch & Innovation Competition.
Despite challenges faced during the University’s transition, Prof. Honyenuga reaffirmed the commitment to creating an enabling environment and support systems. He emphasized management’s dedication to providing resources to ensure students have excellent experiences and achieve desired results.
Commending the graduands for their achievements, Prof. Honyenuga urged them to be worthy ambassadors of Ho Technical University, making a positive impact on society globally.
Education Minister
Prof. Yayra Dzakadzie, Director for Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education and newly appointed Deputy Director-General for Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), represented the sector minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.
In an address delivered on his behalf, the minister commended the University leadership for the sustained progress, acknowledging the exceptional efforts of the faculty and staff in training the students. He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement in programmes focused on TVET and STEM to thoroughly prepare students for the ever-evolving demands of the world. These programmes, he noted must be consistently refined to align with current industry trends, ensuring that students receive a cutting-edge education.
He further assured of the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in TVET and STEM education, to drive the rapid industrialization of the country and create employment opportunities for the youth.
Guest Speaker
Mrs. Evelyn Fortitude-Tekpor, an alumnae, human resource professional and Agric entrepreneur, encouraged the graduates to embrace humble beginnings, cultivate positive work ethics, foster collaborations and adopt digital technology advance their careers.
Valedictorian
Mr. Francis Edem Kumado, a 20-year-old HND Fashion Design and Textiles graduand and a former student of Kpando Technical Institute, was adjudged the Overall Best Graduating Student, graduating with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.95.
The 24 congregation was graced by several dignitaries including, traditional leaders, and families of the granduands.
