The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has officially launched its diamond jubilee celebrations, marking six decades of transformative education and contributions to national and continental development.
The year-long celebrations, themed “Six Decades of Transformative Education: Empowering Africa’s Future Business Leaders”, were unveiled at a colourful media launch on Tuesday, August 12.
Launching the celebrations, the Chancellor of UPSA, Dr. Kofi Kodua Sarpong, commended the University’s resilience and growth over the decades, noting that the anniversary was an opportunity to honour its legacy while embracing its future ambitions.
The Vice-Chancellor Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor paid tribute to the institution’s founder, the visionary Nana Opoku Ampomah I, for laying the foundation for what has become a leading centre of academic excellence.
“We are not only celebrating the remarkable journey we have made,” Prof. Mawutor said, “but also reaffirming our commitment to shaping the future. This milestone is not only a time to look back with gratitude. It’s a moment to look forward with conviction.”
Reflecting on the University’s achievements, the Vice-Chancellor noted that UPSA has produced outstanding graduates and faculty members, many of whom have served Ghana with distinction.
He pledged that as UPSA marks its 60th anniversary, it will continue to foster “a culture of excellence, creativity and innovation.”
He called on alumni, students, partners, and stakeholders to “join in telling the UPSA story and help write its next great chapter.”
Chairman of the UPSA Governing Council, Dr. Harry Lawson, described the media launch as “more than a ceremonial beginning.”
“It is a public reaffirmation of who we are, what we value, and where we are going,” he said. He commended the Anniversary Planning Committee for its dedication and creativity in preparing the year-long celebration.
The Founder of UPSA, Nana Opoku Ampomah I, in an address read on his behalf by Mr. Osei Opoku Ampomah, expressed deep pride in UPSA’s transformation from its modest beginnings into “a national treasure and respected institution across Africa and beyond.”
“The story of UPSA is not just about brick and mortar. It is a story of vision, of perseverance, of service,” he said. “From five students in a rented building to over 27,000 students today, this university has changed countless lives not only in Ghana but across the West African subregion.
He further added: “When I look at UPSA today, I see more than a university. I see a bridge connecting knowledge with industry, education with ethics, and opportunity with responsibility. UPSA is not just the story of one man or one institution. It is a Ghanaian success story. Let us tell it proudly. Let us tell it widely.”
Chairman of the UPSA@60 Anniversary Planning Committee, Mr. Kwabena Agyekum, outlined a series of activities for the celebration year.
These include stakeholder engagements, a research exposition, the flagship Leadership Lecture, community service initiatives, donation drives, a health walk and fun games, an industry breakfast meeting, technology exhibitions, and a career fair, among others.
“This anniversary is a bridge between our past and our future,” Mr. Agyekum said, emphasising the importance of participation from all members of the UPSA community.
