McDan Urges Strong Industry Link as ATU Invests New Vice-Chancellor
The Executive Chairman of the McDan Group of Companies, Mr. Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, has called for stronger collaboration between industry and academia as Accra Technical University (ATU) formally invested Professor Amevi Acakpovi as its second substantive Vice-Chancellor. Speaking at the investiture ceremony, on January 15, 2026, at the University’s ceremonial grounds, McDan said universities, especially technical universities, have a key role to play in preparing students not just for certificates, but for real work and business life. He noted that leading a university comes with responsibility and service, and encouraged the new Vice-Chancellor to lead with humility, kindness, and a clear sense of purpose. McDan, who is a well-known Ghanaian businessman and founder of the McDan Group with interests in logistics, aviation, construction, and trade, said the country needs universities that are innovative and closely linked to industry. According to him, leadership positions are temporary, but the impact made through service and results will last. He stressed the need for practical training, proposing a model where students spend fewer years in the classroom and more time gaining hands-on experience in industry before graduating. He explained that technical universities are well placed to produce entrepreneurs, adding that students should leave school ready to create jobs, not only to look for them. McDan further encouraged ATU to deepen its partnerships with private sector players and focus on research that can solve real problems. He assured the University of the readiness of the McDan Group to work with ATU by offering industry exposure, practical knowledge, and opportunities that connect classroom learning to the world of work. He congratulated Professor Acakpovi on his investiture and expressed confidence that under his leadership, ATU would grow into a centre of excellence that produces graduates who contribute meaningfully to national development.
ATU and Npontu Forge Strategic Partnership for Internships, Research, and Innovation
Accra Technical University (ATU) has added Npontu Technologies to its growing list of strategic industry partners as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as Ghana’s premier Technical University and a major force in societal development and innovation. The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding on July 9, 2025, at the premises of Npontu, which focuses on creating opportunities for students pursuing Computer Science, Information Systems, and Technology, as well as related programmes, to undertake vacation internships and complete their National Service with Npontu. Additionally, the partnership paves the way for collaborative research, training, and consultancy initiatives between ATU faculty members and professionals from Npontu. In a ceremony that sealed this strategic partnership, Dr. Stephane Nwolley, Chief Executive Officer of Npontu Technologies, emphasised the firm’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of thinkers and professionals in the fast-changing digital world. He highlighted the importance of instilling core cultural values such as discipline and a strong work ethic alongside technical training, noting that these attributes contribute significantly to performance in today’s workplace. Dr. Nwolley also stressed Npontu’s role in equipping young people with in-demand skills and expressed confidence that ATU students would benefit both in the short and long term. The Acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Professor Amevi Ackapovi, acknowledged Npontu’s efforts in making technology accessible and practical for students and young professionals across the country. He outlined the University’s ongoing push to be a leading force in artificial intelligence education and its commitment to fostering innovation through the creation of tech incubation hubs on its campus. He expressed optimism about the partnership and its potential to influence the career paths of ATU students.Npontu Technologies is a Ghanaian technology company with a mission to drive transformation through the use of relevant digital tools. The company specialises in areas such as big data and artificial intelligence, app and platform development, IT consultancy, managed services, and value-added services. With a strong track record of working with institutions like the World Bank, the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, and the Ministry of Education, Npontu continues to use technology to create lasting social impact in Ghana and beyond.
International Students’ Orientation and Special Time with the Vice-Chancellor Marked
International students at Accra Technical University (ATU) were treated to a memorable experience on Friday, June 20, 2025, during the university’s annual International Students’ Orientation and Special Time with the Vice-Chancellor, held at the ATU Auditorium. Setting the tone for the event, the Acting Registrar, Mr. Adu-Adjei Mensah, explained that the gathering is part of efforts to appreciate and welcome international students admitted for the academic year. He noted that the event aligns with the university’s Strategic Pillar One, which focuses on enhancing the student experience.Addressing the students, the Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Felix Kutsanedzie, underscored the importance of academic focus while also encouraging them to engage in meaningful socialisation to enrich their time at ATU.In his address, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, highlighted the pivotal role of language in promoting internationalisation at Accra Technical University, commending the significant contributions of the university’s Language Lab in advancing this agenda. He highlighted key initiatives the university has undertaken to promote cross-cultural diversity, including the signing of strategic memoranda of understanding with institutions in Germany and China, as well as conducting educational outreach to universities across the West African subregion. Professor Acakpovi encouraged students to fully engage with the opportunities available on campus, ranging from participation in student clubs to accessing specialised centres that offer skills training and professional certification. He urged them to be inquisitive, confident, and committed to continuous learning. Concluding his remarks, he stated, “Internationalisation is not just a slogan but a lived experience reflected in all facets of the university’s decision-making,” reaffirming the university’s dedication to fostering a culturally diverse academic environment. The event was graced by Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments who took turns to share words of encouragement and practical advice with the students. In aheartwarming moment, several international students shared their lived experiences since arriving in Ghana.A colourful cultural display featuring traditional dances from various African countries added vibrancy to the occasion. The event welcomed students from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Lebanon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo reflecting the rich cultural diversity that ATU continues to foster on its campus.
Accra Technical University Leads Global Dialogue on Bridging Digital Technology and Education at TecFuPro Conference
Accra Technical University solidified its commitment to doubling its efforts in bridging the gap between digital technologies and education in a conference held on the 15th and 16th of August at the University’s Auditorium. The two-day International Conference of Tech Trends and Future Careers (TecFuPro), a collaboration between Accra Technical University, the University of Vaasa, and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences in Finland, provided a forum for experts in the tech world and professionals in academia to discuss issues surrounding trends in digital technology and how it is shaping tomorrow’s innovation. Speaking at the opening of the Conference, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Accra Technical University, Professor Amevi Acakpovi expressed the relevance of digital technologies in dictating the pace of innovation and development in the world. He emphasised that digital technologies could provide solutions to the challenges of today and for that reason needs much more attention than ever. He cited the use of Artificial Intelligence, as one of the emerging digital tools that have transformed industry and academia and therefore called on stakeholders to harness their potential in solving contemporary problems. The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey in her keynote address talked about the role of Technology and governance. According to her, digital technologies are catalysts for transforming societies. She mentioned that the conference objectives align with her outfit’s digital development initiative of making Accra a Smart City. She shared the plans of the assembly in collaboration with the Accra Digital Centre to use digital technology to transform the city of Accra in traffic management, Waste Management systems and security. She called for continuous collaboration between government, Industry and Academia as key to Ghana’s development. As such, she mentioned that she looks forward to a partnership between ATU and its partners for future projects in digital technology initiatives. She expressed her keen interest in the outcome of the conference and looked forward to having the conference report. The conference featured a panel discussion about how AI is reshaping job markets and upskilling and reskilling. A panellist at the conference, the Dean of the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa, Professor Raine Hermans emphasised the need to bridge the gap between education and skills development. He recommended stakeholders take a critical look at the education system and provide ways of incorporating skills development into the curriculum. While he urged participants to take advantage of emerging technologies, he also cautioned not to overly rely on them as they are not to make one lazy but to help increase their output. Mr. Emmanuel Agbeko Gamor, the Digital Channels Senior Manager at MTN, shared insights on how digital technology education can be imbibed in students. He called for a revision of educational curricula to be flexible so that students are not limited in the acquisition of skills. He encouraged educators to introduce subjects like coding and programming irrespective of the courses taken by students. These, he said, are the skills needed in the foreseeable future in the job market. He urged students to indulge in extracurricular activities through internships and workshops to acquire skills that will give them a competitive advantage in the quest for jobs or creating one. Dr. Emmanuel Ndzibah, a senior lecturer at the University of Vaasa added that educators must embrace and understand the use of digital technologies to pass it on to students. He advised lecturers not to discourage students from using digital tools for projects and assignments. He urged them to be open to understanding new tools to bridge the gap between the tools and the problems we face. Dr. Emmanuel Ndzibah delivering his presentation In a similar submission, Mr. David Gowu, the Executive Director of the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGh) and CEO of Inngen Ghana told students to make good use of their time in school through learning how to use digital tools. He said that the demands of the job market have completely changed as companies are looking for graduates with soft skills and not just degrees, so it is important for every student to get involved in the digital wave and use it proficiently. The conference also featured study opportunities in Finland. Representatives from the University of Vaasa and the Vaasa University of Applied Science took participants through Finland’s educational system and the application processes to Finnish Universities, scholarships and student life. The TecFuPRo conference was under the auspices of Accra Technical University, University of Vaasa and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, and sponsored by MTN, Promasidor Ghana and PURE. The aim of the Conference is to establish a dynamic global networking platform for businesses to collaborate, share resources, and drive sustainable growth.