Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) made history on Saturday, February 22, 2025, by admitting its highest number of students since gaining full university status from the government.
The institution celebrated this milestone during its 34th matriculation ceremony, marking an exciting chapter for both GCTU and its new students.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, delivered an inspiring welcome address to the 5,128 new students joining the ranks of Ghana’s premier ICT institution. With immense pride and enthusiasm, Prof. Afoakwa congratulated the fresh batch of students as they embarked on their transformative academic journey.
“This is not just a matriculation ceremony – it is the beginning of a journey where knowledge and opportunity will shape you into the professionals, innovators, and leaders of tomorrow,” Prof. Afoakwa said, underscoring GCTU’s crucial role in the development of ICT professionals.
The ceremony was a significant occasion for both students and their families, serving as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with being a GCTU student. Prof. Afoakwa spoke about the values of honesty, respect, equality, and compassion embedded in the university’s ethos, urging students to uphold the institution’s name with pride.
“Today, you take the matriculation oath that not only gives you rights and privileges but also responsibilities that you must carry with dignity, both on and off campus,” he added.
Additionally, Prof. Afoakwa made an exciting announcement, revealing that GCTU had received accreditation for several new, cutting-edge programs in ICT and business fields. Newly accredited programs include undergraduate courses in Cyber Security, Data Science and Analytics, E-Commerce, and the Internet of Things, along with postgraduate programs like MSc Digital Marketing and MA E-Business and Marketing Strategy.
“We are committed to delivering industry-relevant programs that ensure our graduates are well-equipped to succeed in today’s tech-driven world. Whether you become entrepreneurs or ‘techpreneurs,’ the skills you acquire here will make you highly sought after by employers across the globe,” Prof. Afoakwa explained.
With 9,284 applications for the 2024/2025 academic year, GCTU achieved its highest-ever student enrollment, officially enrolling 5,128 students. This growth marks a key achievement in the university’s mission to expand access to world-class education in the ICT field.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa
GCTU now boasts a student body of 12,618, including 35 international students from 12 countries.
Concluding his address, Prof. Afoakwa reminded students that their journey at GCTU would be both challenging and rewarding.
“This journey will challenge you, inspire you, and push you beyond your limits,” he said. “But it will also provide you with the opportunities and resources needed to thrive. Whether in the classroom or through internships and extracurricular activities, strive for excellence in every aspect of your university experience.
Ghana is grappling with an alarming rise in modern crimes, with outdated laws struggling to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies and evolving criminal methods.
One major concern, according to the Managing Director of the International Action Network on Small Arms, Johnson Asante-Twum, is the country’s lack of regulation on gun ownership, which has left it vulnerable to exploitation by criminals.
As Ghana’s laws fail to address these modern challenges, the country’s public safety is at great risk, and it is facing mounting financial losses as a result.
Currently, there is no cap on the number of firearms an individual can possess in Ghana, fueling fears that individuals may amass weapons with no oversight or accountability.
This alarming gap in regulation, coupled with the absence of necessary competency training for gun owners, only worsens the situation.
Without proper knowledge and experience, those handling firearms may unintentionally cause accidents or deliberately misuse them.
In an effort to combat the growing threat of illicit small arms and ammunition, the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) Ghana hosted a media engagement event at Accra City Hotel on February 21, 2025.
This event marked a crucial step in tackling arms governance issues, as various stakeholders, including international bodies and civil society organizations, gathered to discuss how Ghana is addressing the proliferation of arms linked to the West African region, particularly within the context of the United Nations’ Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Project.
The President of WAANSA Ghana, Ken Kinney, delivered an opening address calling for urgent action to prevent further destabilization in the region.
He noted that Ghana, along with its West African neighbors, is grappling with violent conflicts exacerbated by easy access to small arms and a lack of effective arms control mechanisms.
The SALIENT Project, which began in 2023, has seen Ghana collaborating with UN agencies such as the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the UN Development Program (UNDP).
The project aims to strengthen small arms control within Ghana, with a focus on integrating arms governance into national development frameworks.
Through this initiative, WAANSA Ghana has taken on the critical responsibility of advocating for urgent legal reforms on small arms.
During the media engagement, Mr. Kinney emphasized the importance of the media’s role in raising awareness and advocating for the passage of the Arms Commission Bill, which has been long overdue. The bill seeks to regulate the ownership, distribution, and control of firearms within Ghana, a vital step in tackling both legal and illicit arms circulation.
He left the students with an inspiring quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” urging them to take full advantage of their opportunities at GCTU to transform their lives and the world around them.
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