UG Deans and Directors Discuss Global Higher Education Trends And Challenges at 2025 Leadership Conference

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo has charged Deans and Directors of the University to navigate the current global higher education landscape with ‘foresight and strategic planning.’ According to Prof. Amfo, this sector is undergoing a ‘significant transformation influenced by emerging international relations trends and a changing aid landscape.’ 

‘Fundraising efforts are essential for sustaining and expanding our educational programmes, while addressing the stressors in higher education is crucial for the well-being of our faculty, staff and students,’ she added.  

Prof. Amfo called on participants to embrace collective effort in addressing the challenges being faced by the University and higher education in general. 

These statements was made in a speech read on her behalf by the Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Nii Ardey Codjoe at the just ended 2025 Deans and Directors Conference organised by the Institutional Advancement Directorate (InAD). 

This year’s Conference was under the theme: “Navigating International Relations and Aid Dynamics: Accreditation, Fundraising and Stressors in Higher Education.” 

The Dean of the UG School of Law, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Director, Institutional Advancement Directorate, Prof. Kwasi Dartey–Baah and Senior Counsellor with Careers and Counselling Directorate, Dr. Gladys Setordzi, delivered presentations on ‘Emerging International Relations and the Changing Aid Landscape’, ‘Academic Accreditation and its Impact on Advancement and Fundraising’ and ‘Stressors and their Management’, respectively. 

In his presentation, Prof. Atuguba provided an in-depth analysis of the evolving nature of international academic relations and the shifting dynamics of global aid. Prof. Atuguba urged the University community to look beyond traditional funding models and actively explore collaborative opportunities that could strengthen the institution’s global outreach and influence. He also called for stronger South-South and South-East cooperation to enhance resilience and resource mobilisation.  

‘We must re-align existing in-country funding streams, institute new in-country funding streams and move all DEFUND projects to Foundations and Non-profits,’ he explained.  

Drawing from practical experiences and insights gained through the ACE Project, Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah, delivering his presentation on the topic "Academic Accreditation and its Impact on Advancement and Fundraising: Lessons from the World Bank Funded ACE Project", illustrated how academic accreditation enhances a university’s global reputation and opens doors to crucial funding opportunities. He also highlighted the need for the University of Ghana to maintain high academic standards in order to attract international support and partnerships. 

“Accreditation gives you some value as an institution. It’s a recognition of quality that attracts high-calibre students, international faculty and global partnerships.’’ Professor Dartey-Baah added. 

In her presentation titled "Stressors and their Management," Senior Counsellor with the Careers and Counselling Directorate, Dr. Gladys Setordzi, addressed an often-overlooked but crucial issue in academic leadership managing stress. 

Dr. Setordzi provided practical strategies for handling the pressures associated with leadership roles, emphasising the importance of mental health and well-being.  ‘‘Recognising stress and seeking support is essential,” she noted. 

During the breakout sessions, the Dean of UGBS, Prof. Justice Bawole, the Head of Projects at InAD, Ms. Joy Lamptey and the Director of Finance, Mr. Benjamin Owusu Addo facilitated discussions on key topics including International Collaboration and Partnerships; Achieving and Maintaining Academic Accreditation as well as Initiating and Funding CAPEX Projects respectively, which were followed by interactive Q&A sessions.