The Council Chairman of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Hon. Seth Terkper, has been formally sworn into office at a solemn ceremony in Accra. The event, held at the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) conference facility, saw Hon. Terkper take both the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy, administered by the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu. He was sworn in alongside Council members from six other institutions.
Although UESD’s 15-member Governing Council was inaugurated on July 23, 2025, Hon. Terkper could not attend at the time, making the ceremony his official induction.
In his address, Hon. Iddrisu called for a minute’s silence to honour the eight gallant men who tragically lost their lives in the Obuasi helicopter crash on August 6. He paid glowing tribute to them, recalling personal connections and extending heartfelt prayers for their families. The Minister expressed confidence in the newly sworn-in Councils, citing their academic expertise as vital to advancing President John Mahama’s “reset agenda.” He urged them to work tirelessly to elevate their Universities into true centres of excellence.
Hon. Terkper, Economic Advisor to the President and a former Minister of Finance, in his first official remarks as Council Chairman, spoke of the significant transformation underway in Ghana’s education sector. He emphasised that education and health command the largest share of the national budget, making it imperative for institutions to be innovative and results-oriented.
Highlighting UESD’s distinct mandate, Hon. Terkper noted that the University is uniquely aligned with key elements of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and carries strong international dimensions. He pledged to focus the Council’s efforts on positioning UESD as a leader in sustainability-driven education.
In attendance was Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko – Sampson and the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong.