Addressing a gathering at the Abba Bentil Hall during a colourful event to usher him into the university, Dr. Kwesi Yankey applauded the members of the university council, faculty, and support staff of the institution for their hard work and splendid achievements over the past years.

“I aid in the strive to make Koforidua Technical University a prime institution, renowned for innovative thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, and sustainable practices. Together we will foster an environment where collective responsibility thrives’.”

He emphasized that the new era will equip students with the discipline and confidence they need to thrive academically and face the challenges of the future with confidence, adding that he will prioritize climate change, environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and resource efficiency.

He underscored the university’s vision to integrate sustainable practices in operations, curriculum, and research.

He promised to empower students with skills, knowledge, and character, shaping them into leaders who drive progress and work together to achieve a shared vision, making Koforidua Technical University a world-class institution.

“Weighing in on key pillars of togetherness and unity in diversity—our university is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse threads of culture, ethnicity, religion, and background. This diversity enriches our academic landscape, fosters creativity, celebrates our differences, and finds strength in our unique perspectives. I urge all members of the university council, faculty, and students to support each other to celebrate success in the coming years and unite to pursue knowledge, driven by curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking”.

“Let us foster a culture of collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity. Let us empower each other to become leaders, innovators, and changemakers,’’ he added.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who was the special guest of honour for the programme, expressed his warm congratulations to Dr. Kwesi Yankey on his new adventure.

John Agyekum Kufuor entreated Dr. Kwesi Yankey to be committed to the values of excellence, innovations, and sustainability that have brought it to its current heights.

“Mr. Chancellor, your leadership will undoubtedly contribute towards shaping the future of this rich university. I do not doubt that you will excel in this role with a focus on training and nurturing great minds who can tempt the great fields of the fourth industrial revolution,’’ John Agyekum Kufuor affirmed.

He expressed his confidence in Dr. Kwesi Eduafo Yankey for the new escapade and for guiding the university to meet its objectives of creating new opportunities for innovation, growth, and pragmatism.

John Agyekum Kufuor articulated that the fourth industrial revolution, which is characterized by new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, blockchain technology, and advanced robotics, is rapidly changing the world.

He averred that the new technologies have the power to transform all industrial outputs, and the country’s domestic productivity will enhance Ghana’s competitiveness across the key markets. He continued that they are influencing the cultures of societies around the world.

He added that the mastering of the technologies by the university will enable it to produce critical human results to assist Ghana’s economy attract foreign investors with a vibrant ecosystem of tech startups and reboot entrepreneurship.

He called for collaboration among the university institutions to cooperate in the production of viable human results to attract investors for the economy and reinforce the spirit and practice of the concept of public-private partnerships.

Profile of the First Chancellor of the Koforidua Technical University, Dr. Kwesi Eduafo Yankey

Dr. Kwesi Eduafo Yankey started his secondary school education at Aggrey Memorial A.M.E. Zion Senior High School through Axim and ended in Navrongo, where he obtained his Advanced Level Certificate. In 1974, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Administration, Marketing, and Finance at the University of Ghana. In 1976, he obtained a certificate in banking from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In his constant quest to diversify his knowledge, he took a certificate training in insurance from the Ghana Insurance College. In 2017, Paa Kwesi was accepted into the Global Health Delivery Intensive Program (GHDI) at Harvard University, where he received a certificate.

Dr. Eduafo Yankey began his working career as a banker in Boulder, Colorado, USA. He returned to his motherland, Ghana, in the late 1970s after working for a short while in the United States of America. On his return to Ghana, he was appointed as the commercial manager for A-Lang, a construction firm. Following his experience in the construction firm from A-Lang and coupled with his entrepreneurial acumen in, he established Dumakwae Limited, a building and construction firm. With his diverse experiences in various professional fields, he later entered into various entrepreneurial ventures, including Dumakwae Investments Limited, a holding company; Barrett Industries Limited, a manufacturing company; and Barrett Farms Limited, a Ghanaian-owned company with a speciality in the production and distribution of passion fruits and cherry tomatoes, among others. Eduafo is a distinguished seasoned entrepreneur and philanthropist with over 40 years of experience in diverse professional fields.

Over the years, Dr. Yankey has served on a wide variety of boards and companies, including Swift Plumbing and Mechanical Services Limited, Ghana Baseball and Softball Association (Chief Patron), Child Help Foundation, Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company, Busia Foundation, Panbros Salt Industries Limited, and Nexus Metals and Ceiling Limited, in various executive and non-executive positions, and has been instrumental in establishing, converting, reviving, and turning around the fortunes of non-performing companies into vibrant and profitable ones. He is a very active member of the University of Ghana Alumni Association and was very instrumental in the designing process, sourcing for funding, and construction of the University of Ghana Jubilee Hall during the occasion of the University of Ghana’s 50th anniversary.

Dr. Kwesi Eduafo Yankey served as the Chairman of the University of Ghana Alumni Association from 2011 to 2018. During this period, there was a surge of enthusiasm and membership drive among alumni, and he initiated various programs and facilitated many philanthropic works to support health, scholarships, and education, enhancing engagements between students, administrators, and lecturers. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Alumni Association, he served as a member of the University of Ghana Council and on the Advisory Board of the College of Health Sciences. He also served as a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Ghana Business School and the Board of Trustees of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research Global Endowment Fund. He was very instrumental in the establishment of the University of Ghana Alumni Centre, which currently houses the Alumni Association Secretariat, the Office of Institutional Advancement, and the UG@75 Secretariat, among others.

In recognition of all his hard work and contribution to the development of Ghana and specifically to the University of Ghana, Kwesi Eduafo Yankey was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the University of Ghana in 2023.

In December 2022, Dr. Kwesi Eduafo Yankey was enstooled as Agonahene of the New Juaben Traditional Area with the stool name Nana Kwesi Boama.

Currently, Dr. Eduafo Yankey is the Board Chairman for Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA); Board Chairman of SUNU Assurance Limited, Ghana; Chairman of Zeepay Ghana; Chairman of KooKey Courier Services; Chairman of Eire Contractors West Africa; Chairman of First Gear and Mining Company Limited; Member on the Advisory Board of the School of Biological and Allied Health Sciences; Member of the Board of Trustees of the International Pediatric Cancer Center; Director of Security Exchange Commission; Chief Executive Officer of Dumakwae Investment Limited; Director of Omni Quarries; Director of Sao Capital Limited; and Managing Director for Barrett Farms.

Dr. Kwesi Eduafo Yankey is a family man with four (4) children (Esi, Kosi, Kofi Krofu, and Kobina Nketsia). He is an avid reader, philanthropist, sports enthusiast, and social justice advocate.