University of Professional Studies, Accra Gets First-Ever Chancellor

University of Professional Studies, Accra

The University of Professional Studies, Accra [UPSA] over the weekend conducted the investiture ceremony of its first-ever Chancellor, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, who is known in public life as Dr Kingsley A. Fletcher. A man of many parts, he is a traditional leader, author, international advisor, academician and a visiting professor in many institutions of higher learning around the world.

Welcoming attendees to the colourful ceremony, Justice Nii Aryeetey, Chairman of the Governing Council at UPSA, averred that the investiture “offers us the opportunity to bring the university’s constituencies together to celebrate our university and its heritage, listen to ideas, new vision and a new sense of purpose on the task ahead.” He also declared that it was a time to “to renew our commitment to the values and goals that have helped this university thrive for nearly half a century.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, the renowned Professor Joshua Alabi, thanked the Governing Council, Executive Committee and the institution’s management for carrying out the “painstaking search” which led to “this illustrious person” being made Chancellor. He revealed that he was elected unanimously by the Governing Council.

Dr Fletcher is the Suapolor of the Se [Shai] Traditional Area.

He is the Executive Chairman of Fletcher Holdings in Ghana and Fletcher International Services in the United States, Royal One Company, Ghana and Asia, Hong Kong Holdings in Hong Kong. He is also the Board Chairman of First Banc Financial Services, Ghana, and Chairman and CEO of Fletcher Global, in the US. A former special advisor to the Assistant Secretary General and Director of the United Nations Development Programme for Africa and former board chairman of TV3 Network Ghana, he is the Founder and Chairman of Integrity Business Network, Founder of Life International and the Founder and Chief Executive of Life Community Services, all in the US.

Currently, he also oversees Life for Africa, a non-profit humanitarian organisation contributing to the betterment of Africa through its support for healthcare delivery, education, economic empowerment and community/social development.
Dr Fletcher has doctorate degrees in education, philosophy and theology.

As Chancellor, Dr Fletcher is now the titular head of the university. He will, among other things, sign academic degree certificates, confirm the granting of honorary degrees and preside at university ceremonies when he is present. He can also make presentations to the Governing Council on university affairs and can attend council meetings at its invitation.

At his investiture ceremony, Dr Fletcher announced several new initiatives that he will champion with a view to making the university even better as a citadel of higher learning. One is the institution of a $100,000 endowment fund to support the Strategic Leadership Centre. Another is the establishment of educational partnerships and affiliations with institutions around the world.

He also wants to support an effective internship programme for students through collaboration with corporate Ghana and the introduction of new programmes and research that will improve the university’s relevance.

UPS was founded in 1965 by Nana Opoku Ampomah as the Institute for Professional Studies, providing tuition for professional business courses. Government took over in 1979, and in 2005 it was granted accreditation to offer degree programmes under the tutelage of the University of Ghana, Legon. In 2008, it obtained the charter to award its own degrees diplomas and certificates. It was renamed University of Professional Studies in 2012 by an Act of Parliament.