In the quiet corridors of the technical universities of Africa, there’s an energy that’s beginning to form and develop; but not through great noise or events, rather within laboratories busily researching methods to generate clean electric energy, in classrooms filled with dialogue about artificial intelligence and in workshops of young engineers developing new products and finding solutions to problems that have existed for many years on the African continent. This metamorphosis will create a need for leaders capable of interpreting both circuit boards and business models as easily as they interpret balance sheets, and recognising that Africa’s industrial future is not only dependent upon engineers trained abroad but on home-grown engineering talent as well.
In Ghana, one such leader has been quietly rewriting the script of technical education. For fifteen years, he has transformed Accra Technical University from a modest teaching institution into a powerhouse of applied research and innovation. He doesn’t chase headlines or court controversy. His weapon is consistency- the relentless pursuit of excellence through measurable action. His name is Engr. Prof. Amevi Acakpovi. He embodies a truth that Africa’s brightest minds have always known: technical education, when done right, becomes the fastest route from poverty to prosperity.
The Service Philosophy
Prof. Amevi’s leadership rests on a deceptively simple foundation: leadership is service, and service must produce measurable transformation. This isn’t motivational rhetoric borrowed from management seminars. It’s a working philosophy forged through his journey from lecturer to Vice-Chancellor (Designate) at Accra Technical University (ATU), where every promotion brought expanded responsibilities and deeper commitment.
He operates through three interconnected principles. Excellence with impact ensures that academic work strengthens national relevance. Innovation with purpose guarantees that new programs directly address unemployment and technology shifts. Discipline with empathy balances high standards with fairness and respect. These principles don’t hang on office walls as decorative statements. They drive decisions about curriculum design, faculty recruitment, infrastructure investment, and student support.
His vision of leadership extends beyond institutional boundaries. He believes African higher education must anticipate future industry needs and prepare institutions today for opportunities that will emerge tomorrow. This forward-looking approach transforms universities from reactive institutions into proactive engines of economic development.
Transforming ATU’s Academic Foundation
The numbers tell part of the story. Prof. Amevi secured full accreditation for thirteen Master’s programs and twenty-seven new four-year BTech programs. Enrolment surged past twelve thousand students. ATU now ranks fourth in Ghana and among the top technical universities in Sub-Saharan Africa according to Times Higher Education Rankings. But numbers alone miss the deeper transformation.
He rebuilt ATU’s research infrastructure from the ground up. The Research Commons he established serves as the university’s intellectual hub. ATU’s visibility in Scopus and Web of Science expanded dramatically. Research governance structures now ensure quality and relevance. The institutional Research Bulletins and Annual Research Reports document contributions to national development. These initiatives elevated ATU from primarily teaching students to actively solving Ghana’s challenges in energy, technology, and sustainable development.
His student-centered reforms reveal his understanding that technical education must develop complete professionals. Expanded IGF-funded scholarships opened doors for vulnerable students. More field trips connected classroom theory to industrial reality. Innovation competitions unleashed creative problem-solving. Improved library digital access democratized knowledge. The pioneering Virtual Internship Programme addressed placement challenges by creating digital pathways to industry experience.
Campus stability enables academic excellence. Prof. Amevi maintained a strike-free environment through transparent communication and timely allowances. He introduced institutional insurance systems and strengthened financial discipline without stifling innovation. This peaceful atmosphere allows faculty and students to focus on their core mission rather than constant disruptions.
Infrastructure modernization transformed the physical learning environment. Smart classrooms embrace digital pedagogy. Regenerated laboratories support cutting-edge experiments. A new university clinic safeguards health. Solar installations demonstrate sustainability commitments. A six-story student housing project addresses accommodation challenges. These investments reflect his belief that world-class education requires world-class facilities.
Redefining Technical Education
Prof. Amevi brings rare credentials to educational leadership. His research portfolio includes over one hundred thirty peer-reviewed publications on hybrid renewable energy systems, microgrid optimization, and AI applications in energy. This work places him among the top three per cent of scientists in Ghana. He speaks from authority when discussing where technology is heading and what skills students will need.
He champions technical and vocational education and training as the backbone of Africa’s industrial transformation. His industry-driven curriculum reform led to the development of a 4IR and sustainability-oriented framework now being adopted nationally. This ensures graduates understand not just current technologies but emerging ones shaping the next decade.
Competency-based training anchors his educational philosophy. Practical skills, design thinking, and problem-solving remain central to teaching. Graduates apply their knowledge immediately rather than requiring extensive retraining. The Sustainable Energy Service Centre, Drone Training Centre, Career Centre, and Centre for Entrepreneurship and Incubation Services provide hands-on learning environments where students tackle real challenges.
His international leadership amplifies ATU’s impact. As President of the IEC National Committee of Ghana, Chair of AFSEC TC77 on Electromagnetic Compatibility, and President of ARSO TC70 on Solar Thermal Systems, he promotes continental technical standards ensuring African professionals compete globally. These roles bring global perspectives directly into ATU’s academic programs.
Digital Transformation Strategy
Prof. Amevi recognizes digital transformation as essential for institutional relevance. His strategy balances digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and digital governance. Library services now run digitally, integrating advanced databases like Dimensions that connect students to cutting-edge research. AI literacy training ensures the university community understands technologies reshaping every industry.
Enhanced online teaching capabilities expanded ATU’s reach beyond physical boundaries. The AFOS DigiCap Centre and CEIS support digital innovation among students and entrepreneurs. New programs in information systems and technology are expanding into cybersecurity and digital engineering specializations. Across all programs, he mainstreamed modules on cloud computing, Internet of Things, and data analytics, ensuring every graduate possesses foundational digital literacy.
Preparing Complete Professionals
Technical knowledge forms only part of what students need. Prof. Amevi’s holistic preparation model exposes students to real industry challenges through field trips, internships, and applied projects connecting theory with workplace reality. Ethical training ensures students combine competence with integrity.
Innovation competitions, hackathons, and exhibitions develop creativity and collaborative problem-solving. The Career Centre provides soft skills and employability training, helping students present themselves effectively. Entrepreneurship education enables job creation rather than just job seeking, addressing Africa’s unemployment challenge. Mentorship programs connect students with industry leaders and alumni who provide guidance and open doors.
This comprehensive approach produces graduates who are technically skilled, emotionally intelligent, globally aware, and adaptable. This is exactly what employers across Africa need.
Strategic Partnerships
Prof. Amevi has mobilized over USD 2.3 million in grants and partnerships. His collaboration with the Design and Technology Institute on a GHS 2.9 million project modernized welding laboratories. The ACTIVATE Ghana program, supported by Mastercard Foundation with GHS 600,000, strengthened youth skills development.
Partnerships with Marriott Hotel, Metrohm Switzerland, Jospong Group, and Abrantie College offer industrial training and collaborative research. International collaborations with Nanjing University in China, ISLA Togo, SUNY Canton in the United States, and several European institutions expanded student mobility and joint research.
The Sustainable Energy Service Centre’s partnerships with Millennium Challenge Account Ghana, GIZ, and the Energy Commission enable professional energy auditing serving national development. These partnerships enhance employability, innovation capacity, and global exposure.
Leading Through Transition
As Vice-Chancellor (Designate), Prof. Amevi balances transitional leadership’s unique challenges. He focuses on continuity, institutional memory, and strategic prioritization. Rather than pursuing dramatic changes that might destabilize the institution, he strengthens systems rather than personalities, ensuring good practices outlast individual leaders.
Effective delegation and team empowerment maintain momentum on multiple fronts. He engages actively with the University Council, staff unions, and student bodies to build alignment. Transparent communication reduces uncertainty. All decisions are anchored to the university’s strategic plan and national priorities, ensuring consistency through leadership transitions.
Advancing Inclusivity
For Prof. Amevi, inclusivity is non-negotiable. Expanded scholarship schemes ensure financial barriers don’t prevent talented students from accessing quality education. Disability-friendly infrastructure across campus removes physical barriers. Targeted outreach and mentorship programs strengthen female participation in engineering and STEMD fields, challenging stereotypes about technical careers.
Flexible learning pathways, including evening and weekend programs with plans for distance education, accommodate students balancing education with work or family. Community-focused centers like SESC and CEIS provide training for artisans, technicians, and youth outside formal academic streams. Technical education becomes a bridge to opportunity for all.
Global Positioning
Prof. Amevi envisions ATU as a Pan-African and globally connected technical university. He deepens partnerships with institutions in Asia, Europe, and America while developing joint degrees, staff exchanges, and collaborative research. His leadership roles in IEC, AFSEC, and ARSO position ATU to influence global standards rather than merely following them.
The university regularly hosts international conferences bringing global experts to Accra, raising ATU’s profile while exposing students and faculty to cutting-edge developments. Student mobility programs through Erasmus+, British Council, and German AWA initiatives provide international experiences broadening perspectives and building networks.
His goal is making ATU a continental reference point in applied research, TVET innovation, and industry collaboration.
Leadership Disciplines
Strategic reading and continuous learning keep Prof. Amevi current in emerging technologies despite heavy administrative demands. Structured planning and disciplined execution prevent good ideas from remaining intentions. Mentorship from senior academics and engineers across Africa provides guidance during challenges.
Deep commitment to fairness, data-driven decisions, and accountability guides his interactions. His engineering background trains him to approach institutional problems as systems requiring integrated solutions. This systematic thinking prevents solving one problem while creating others.
Vision for the Future
Prof. Amevi believes several shifts will redefine African higher education. AI-driven teaching will personalize learning. Competency-based, modular pathways will replace rigid semester systems. Green energy programs will address environmental challenges. Internationalized curricula will prepare students for careers transcending borders. Entrepreneurship embedded across disciplines will cultivate job creators.
ATU is preparing by expanding digital infrastructure, introducing 4IR-focused programs, strengthening research capacity, promoting innovation culture, and building global partnerships. Prof. Amevi aims for ATU to lead Africa’s transition into a skills-driven, technologically-enabled knowledge economy.
The Human Element
Beyond credentials and achievements, Prof. Amevi is known for his calm demeanor and approachable nature. Colleagues describe him as disciplined yet empathetic, strategic yet flexible, visionary yet grounded. His bilingual fluency in English and French facilitates cross-cultural collaboration. Deep faith in young people’s potential drives his commitment to creating opportunities.
He has delivered over forty international keynote speeches while maintaining active research. Recognition includes national SDG Awards, the SolarQuarter Grandmaster Award, and distinguished professorships. Yet accolades haven’t diminished his focus on daily institution-building work.
A Legacy Measured in Transformation
Prof. Amevi represents African leaders refusing to accept that the continent must lag in technological development and educational quality. Through fifteen years at Accra Technical University, he has demonstrated that technical education can be rigorous and accessible, globally competitive and locally relevant, tradition-respecting and future-oriented.
His legacy will be measured in graduates entering industries with needed skills, research solving real community problems, and partnerships positioning ATU as a serious global player. He continues leading with a singular mission: serving with integrity, inspiring innovation, and building an institution empowering Africa’s next generation of engineers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and leaders. In doing so, he engineers not just a better university but a more prosperous future for Ghana and the continent.
