By Ewoenam Kpodo
Ho, Jan. 23, GNA- Ho Technical University (HTU) has unveiled busts dedicated to its past leaders and rolls of honour of past officers including chairpersons of council, vice-principals, vice-rectors, pro-vice chancellors, secretaries, and registrars.
The busts were of late Mr James Yao Vodzi, Dr George Mawusi Afeti, late Dr Komla Agbeko Dzisi, Dr Jakpasu Victor Kofi Afun and Prof Emmanuel Kojo Sakyi who led the institution from 1980 to 2018.
The event, which had the ceremonial grounds renamed “Leadership Garden” in dedication to the honourees to serve as a special garden in the university, also saw presentations to the honourees and in some cases, their families in recognition of their dedicated service to HTU.
Prof. Ben Quarshie Honyenuga, Vice-Chancellor, HTU addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of commemorating the remarkable achievements of those who shaped the institution, noting that the busts and honour rolls were a way to preserve the legacy of the former executive heads who drove the university’s growth since its establishment in 1968.
He described the occasion as a moment of great significance and a time to reflect on the exceptional leadership of the past leaders whose vision, sacrifices and steadfast dedication had been instrumental in guiding the institution’s evolution especially from the tertiary institution era.
Prof. Honyenuga referred to them as “visionaries who dared to lead when the path was unclear,” citing Dr Afeti (he deemed the father of the institution) for example, who he said served as the pioneering principal from 1993 to 2006, laying a solid foundation and transitioning the institution to become an enviable tertiary institution with a robust infrastructure befitting its status.
Similarly, he praised the contributions of other leaders saying, HTU’s evolution and transition from a polytechnic to a technical university was not merely a change of name but critical transformation that required collaborative vision and unwavering commitment to excellence, which the leaders being honoured, embraced with unparallel distinction.
The Vice Chancellor said these leaders faced unique challenges including limited resources and the weight of high expectations yet remained steadfast in their commitment to excellence.
“The busts we are unveiling today serve not only as artistic representation for these exemplary leaders but are in fact enduring reminders of exemplary stewardship. They will stand as a visible testament to leadership grounded in service, inspiring current and future generations…
In this day, we are being referenced as the number one technical university in Ghana and among the top five universities in the whole of Ghana. It is because our past leaders laid a very solid foundation on which we are building on.”
Prof. Honyenuga applauded the team at HTU’s Department of Industrial Arts, especially Sculptor, Mr Morkporkpor Kordiabe who produced all the busts of the past leaders and the honour rolls.
Prof. Mrs Smile Gavua Dzisi, Chair of Council, HTU and who chaired the occasion, appreciated HTU management for the decision to acknowledge the past executive heads and key officers to serve as a lasting memorial in their honour, referring to them as builders of purpose.
“They laboured quietly, often unseen. Yet the fruit of leadership is our reality. It is in the lecture halls alive with debate, in the graduates transforming the world, and in an institution that continues to rise with dignity”
“As these memorials are unveiled, let them be more than static images. Let them be a challenge to lead with integrity, serve with humility, and to build a future beyond our dreams,” she urged.
Dr Afeti, former Principal of then Ho Polytechnic and honouree expressed gratitude on behalf of his fellow honourees for the honour saying, it was not only busts of former heads being unveiled but history was also being unveiled.
He appealed to Prof Honyenuga to consider constructing a galleria at the Leadership Garden to accommodate not just the current busts but those to be erected in the future.
Dr Afeti admonished the gathering to maintain positive relationships and avoid enmity and, more importantly, “leave a legacy behind” in whatever position they found themselves.
The event which highlighted the university’s journey from a technical institute in 1968 to a polytechnic before becoming a fully-fledged technical university was attended by students, and current and former staff including Mr Simon Amegashie-Viglo, a former Vice-Principal.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei