Author: Nana Osafo-Bosompem

The Governing Council of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday, March 5, unanimously voted to appoint His Royal Majesty, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, as the first Chancellor of the university. This was at the university’s 54th regular meeting. Known in private life as Dr Kingsley A. Fletcher, the Suapolor of the Se (Shai) Traditional Area and now Chancellor-designate is an author, historian, television Personality, International Advisor and guest lecturer and expert panellist in institutions of higher learning around the world.   He is the executive chairman of Fletcher Holdings Ltd, Ghana; Fletcher International Services, LLC, USA/Ghana; Royal One Company and Ghana and Asia Hong Kong Holdings in Hong Kong. He is also the board chairman of FirstBanc Financial Services, Ghana. Unanimous recommendation The appointment follows the unanimous recommendation of a search committee, an executive committee and the academic board of the university.  Dr Fletcher is the former Special Advisor to the assistant secretary general and director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Africa. He is also the founder and chairman of Integrity Business Network in Research, Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; visionary founder of Life International and founder and chief executive officer of Life Community Services, Inc.  He is also the former chairman, TV3 Network, Ghana. Drolor Adamtey still serves as an advisor and mentor to global leaders, addressing life and leadership issues. Dr Fletcher currently oversees Life for Africa, Inc, a non-profit humanitarian organisation contributing to the betterment of Africa via the four components of health care improvement, educational assistance, economic empowerment and community/social development.   To date, Life for Africa has allocated resources, including textbooks and academic supplies, medical equipment and supplies, ambulances and pharmaceuticals, to various African nations. He also oversees the operations of Life Community Services, Inc, assisting the elderly, engaging in mass distribution of food and clothing and the provision of transportation. He networks with other agencies similar in focus, providing consultation, staff support and funding where necessary. Partnership with major technology firms Drolor Bosso Adamtey has partnered major technology firms to bring investment to Ghana and West Africa in the areas of infrastructure, technology, training and educational opportunities.  In this partnership, he hosted an African Technology Conference in July 2008 in Accra.  He has recruited distinguished world known technologists, scientists and engineers to provide expertise and leadership for technology-related projects to include developing hi-tech parks in West Africa. He has also partnered some US universities with the aim of enhancing global education in Ghana and Africa. His global education initiative commenced on June 25, 2007 in which students from North Carolina Central University and Duke University participated in a summer  exchange programme in Accra.   Dr Fletcher holds academic qualifications such as Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Theology and a Master’s in Theology. He has demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence, educational access, economic development and community outreach.  He brings to UPSA an impressive record of extensive academic, administrative and leadership experience to lead Ghana’s business professional university.

The formalities to establish the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) were completed during the entity’s inaugural Charter Day ceremony, held at the National Arena in Kingston on September 28. These included the installation of the Suapolor of the Shai Traditional Area of Ghana, His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, as Chancellor; and Professors Fritz Pinnock and Ibrahim Ajagunna as President and Deputy President, respectively. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen; Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness; and Barbados Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Freundel Stuart, headed the list of officials and guests attending the ceremony, which coincided with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) commemoration of World Maritime Day, under the theme ‘Connecting Ships, Ports and People’. Mr. Holness, who delivered the keynote address, said the CMU’s advent represents a “truly positive transformation” and is a historic moment in Jamaica’s and the region’s education landscape. Citing the institution as the first specialised public university and the only International Maritime Organization (IMO)-recognised maritime education and training provider in the English-speaking Caribbean, the Prime Minister said its accreditation provides it with greater leverage to foster the necessary relationships and partnerships, access to global grant funding and expansion of research and development, which are necessary to offer cutting-edge training. He reiterated the Administration’s commitment to invest in the CMU in order to accommodate the “growing appetite” for the institution’s programmes and further cement its role as a key contributor to Jamaica’s growth and development. To this end, he said the Government is looking to establish a “full and permanent” campus, which would likely be in St. Thomas, “where we have already established various projects, such as a new town centre and new highway construction”. Mr. Holness said based on the institution’s track record of achievements since its establishment in 1980, “I am confident that the CMU will continue, not only to be Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s leading source of talent and ideas in the areas of logistics and maritime technology, but will also be seen as one of the world’s best institutions for maritime training, and, therefore, a great export product”. In his remarks, Prime Minister Stuart, who noted that Barbadians have benefited from training opportunities offered at the CMU, said he envisages the university “becoming the institution of choice for higher learning, training, research and consultation in the area of maritime matters in the western hemisphere”. Education, Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, who read the Governor-General Proclamation for the CMU’s Charter, described the institution as “a living testimony that our positive collective will (in the pursuit of excellence) is stronger than any force that might seek to hinder progress”. For his part, Transport and Mining Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, commended the CMU’s management and staff, partners and stakeholders, “who have played an extremely key role in getting us to this milestone”. Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley said the CMU’s accreditation is a “fitting acknowledgement” of the role being played by the institution, “which is at the centre of excellence when it comes to tertiary education related to maritime affairs”. In his remarks, the newly installed Chancellor, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I welcomed the opportunity extended to him to serve in that capacity and gave an undertaking “to bring my total heart, commitment, dedication and vision of expanding the… CMU into a major success story”. “I’m also going to extend my expertise, my experience and my contacts to make sure that we raise the bar and create within this region a brand of education which is second to none,” he added. Delivering his inaugural address as President, Professor Pinnock described the CMU’s establishment as a “revolution in the tertiary education and training landscape in Jamaica and across the region”. He noted that the institution has “disrupted the pecking order” of tertiary education selection over the last 10 years, pointing out that “we have moved from being a mere option to topping the table as the institution of choice in Jamaica and the region”. The ceremony saw the conferment of two honorary Doctor of Science degrees on two of the CMU’s longstanding partners, Ishmael Robertson of Jamaica and Barbadian, Everton Walters.