GCTU Council Relieves Prof Afoakwa of VC Role, Appoints Acting Replacement
The Governing Council of Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) has terminated the engagement of Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa as Vice-Chancellor, stating that he ceased to hold the position effective February 28, 2026.
The directive was conveyed in a formal communication dated February 26, 2026, and signed by Council Chairman, Ing. Divine Kpetigo. It was addressed to the University Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo. In the notice, the Council made clear that from the effective date, Prof. Afoakwa was no longer authorised to perform any official function on behalf of the institution.
The correspondence explicitly barred him from issuing instructions, endorsing documents, approving transactions, representing the university, or undertaking any executive responsibility. It further cautioned that any action taken by him beyond the stated date would be regarded as invalid and without legal standing.
The development follows the expiration of Prof. Afoakwa’s secondment, which had earlier been communicated by the Council in a separate letter dated February 3, 2026. His voluntary retirement also took effect on February 28.
In a related decision issued the same day, the Council named Prof. Ebenezer Malcalm, who had been serving as Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, to assume the role of Vice-Chancellor in an acting capacity. The appointment took immediate effect and will remain operational until further notice.
Prof. Malcalm has been mandated to oversee the overall administration of the university, with authority spanning academic governance, financial management, and institutional operations, while ensuring stability and protecting the university’s corporate image.
An emergency Council meeting held on March 3, 2026, formally endorsed both the conclusion of Prof. Afoakwa’s tenure and the interim appointment of Prof. Malcalm. The decisions have since received confirmation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), providing regulatory validation.
Subsequently, the Registrar circulated an internal notice to staff and stakeholders, informing them of the Council’s resolutions and directing strict adherence.
Copies of the Council’s communications were also dispatched to the Minister for Education, the Director-General of GTEC, Council members, and key university officials, including the Directors of Finance, Internal Audit, and Human Resource and Organisational Development.
Prof. Afoakwa, an internationally recognised food scientist, had been serving at GCTU on secondment prior to the conclusion of his tenure.