Accra Technical University (ATU) held durbars on Tuesday the 17th and Wednesday 18th January 2023 for staff members at the University Auditorium.

The Tuesday meeting was organised for Senior Members of staff and included both teaching and non-teaching members of staff. The second durbar was held among Senior and Junior members of staff.

Flanked by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, and the Registrar, Mrs. Sylvia Beatrice Oppong-Mensah, ATU Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Nii Odai used the platform to address the state of the University as far as its workforce is concerned. Chief among his announcements was the continuation of the newly instituted staff shuttle service which has come to relieve staff’s transportation challenges in the wake of surging petroleum prices.

On behalf of Management, he thanked and commended the entire staff body for their hard work and encouraged punctuality as a show of discipline. Prof. Odai expressed how thankful he was for the successful implementation of a shuttle system for staff members. He sought feedback from the audience on how the shuttle could be improved and took note of all submissions. He entreated members to be weary of rumour mills and desist from rumour mongering as it destroys the unity fibre of the University. He emphasised that the University was one big family and staff should conduct themselves in that regard.

The Vice-Chancellor was in a particularly peppy mood during the second durbar and the
reason was revealed soon enough as the durbar morphed into a happy birthday chorus in honour of the Vice-Chancellor. January 18 is the Vice-Chancellor’s birthday and the entire ATU staff joined him in celebrating it.

If the smile on the faces of ATU staff are anything to go by, this brace of staff durbars will be fresh in their memories for quite a while.

Other administrative officials in attendance were some key officers, Deans and Directors who were there to support and provide clarity on issues for staff. 

The annual staff meeting provides an avenue for the open exchange of ideas, open discussion of grievances, and development of consensus to forge strong ties among those occupying positions in the University hierarchy.