Speaking at the university’s 18th Matriculation and 15th Congregation ceremony in Accra, Mr Essel reiterated former President Kwame Nkrumah’s call for a reconceptualised “United Kingdoms of Africa”, a federation that respected cultural identities while promoting stronger political and economic cooperation.
He said while the African Continental Free Trade Area offered significant opportunities, effective integration required harmonised standards, robust digital infrastructure, free movement of people, and coordinated industrial strategies.

The Pro-Chancellor urged Pan-African academic collaboration through student exchanges, joint degrees, research partnerships and multidisciplinary training.
On global governance, he echoed President John Dramani Mahama’s call for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council with veto power, insisting that Africa must participate “as union members and partners, not as perpetual aid recipients.”

He described innovation as the continent’s pathway to independence, urging investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education, digital governance, Fourth Industrial Revolution skills, and technology entrepreneurship.

The Pro-Chancellor warned that Africa’s abundant resources risked becoming a curse without sustainable environmental and economic management.
He challenged the students to innovate, collaborate across cultures, and sustain excellence.

Mr Yaw Sakyi-Danso, a Senior officer from the Ministry of Education, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, expressed the President’s admiration for Knutsford University’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and Africa-centered development.
He highlighted the importance of integration, innovation, and sustainability for Africa’s future, noting Knutsford University’s role in preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to the continent‘s growth.

Mr Sakyi-Danso urged students to embrace opportunities, learn boldly and help shape the continent’s destiny.
Presenting his annual report, Professor Anthony K. Ahiawodzi, the Vice-Chancellor, said the dual ceremony marked both the beginning of academic life for freshers and the completion of studies for the 2024/2025 cohort.
This year’s graduation was the university’s first under its new Presidential Charter, granted in December 2024, he noted.

The University matriculated 761 fresh students (152 males and 609 females), while 286 graduands received certificates across various disciplines.
Their results showed 18 First Class, 111 Second Class Upper, 152 Second Class Lower, and five Third Class degrees, with no Pass degree.

Prof. Ahiawodzi highlighted institutional developments, including the integration of PerTutor AI, procurement of new teaching equipment, faculty training, expansion of the Quality Assurance Unit, improvements to library services, and upgrades to computer and skills laboratories.

He outlined a revised academic structure featuring three faculties, two schools, two institutes, and four centres, alongside the introduction of 24 new academic programmes; 16 undergraduates and eight postgraduates.

The Vice-Chancellor announced that Knutsford University was named Best Private Tertiary Education Institution of the Year 2025 at the Ghana Industries and Manufacturing Awards.
Through collaboration with INTI International University, Malaysia, 42 faculty and staff received full scholarships for MBA and DBA programmes, while 26 student mobility slots have been secured for January 2026.

Prof. Ahiawodzi noted challenges such as low student numbers, tuition arrears, and the lack of a university hostel.
He appealed to corporate bodies, financial institutions, and philanthropists to support scholarships and infrastructure development, including a proposed hostel and academic block complex.

The ceremony witnessed the conferment of an honorary Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) on Bishop Douglas Akuamoah Boateng, the Chancellor of the University.