By Diana Adjei
The University of Ghana commenced its Annual New Year School and Conference at the Legon campus in Accra today, Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
The New Year School event is the flagship programme of the University, which brings together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and development partners to discuss national development.
This year’s programme has the theme, “Building the Ghana We Want, Together for Sustainable Development,” and is organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education to hold discussions on national development priorities for the year ahead.
Speaking at the opening session, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo acknowledged the presence of President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries.
She stated that, “The future we desire cannot be crafted by one institution,” and explained the establishment of collaboration with institutions both locally and internationally.
In collaboration with Imperial College London and the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC), the University of Ghana commissioned an innovation enclave and makerspace.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo also spoke about the ongoing project of the Student Experience Centre, which will house leadership training hubs, offices for student services, health and wellness centres, and more, as part of the University’s 70th anniversary projects, to be fully funded by the Minister for Education.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana explained that, “These interventions are not vanity metrics; they are the University’s contribution to building the Ghana we want.”
Earlier, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, was welcomed to the University by the Chair of the University Council, Madam Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, ahead of the opening ceremony at the Great Hall.
The President is expected to deliver a message on building the Ghana we want, in line with the Conference theme, “Building the Ghana We Want, Together for Sustainable Development,” with a focus on inclusive growth, national cohesion and sustainable development.
The University of Ghana Annual New Year School and Conference is expected to end with recommendations to help guide policy formulation and national development efforts in the new year.
