Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong Named UniMAC Chancellor as St Francis College Celebrates Record Graduation

Ghana’s educational landscape is undergoing a significant transformation marked by high-profile leadership appointments and historic academic achievements. The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) has officially appointed renowned businessman Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong as its first Chancellor, while the St Francis College of Education (FRANCO) in Hohoe has recorded a landmark academic milestone with over a quarter of its graduating class earning First Class honors. These developments, alongside new strategic partnerships in the private education sector, signal a shift toward industry-aligned and technology-driven learning models across the country.

At UniMAC, the strategic appointment of Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarpong, which took effect on August 1, is designed to leverage his extensive business credibility to unlock global investment and partnership opportunities. Vice-Chancellor Professor Eric Opoku Mensah emphasized that Dr. Sarpong’s expertise across multiple sectors will be instrumental in fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and ensuring students are prepared for the demands of the modern workforce. This move aligns with the university’s vision of bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial practice through high-level philanthropic and corporate engagement.

Simultaneously, the St Francis College of Education (FRANCO) celebrated its 18th congregation, where 135 out of 459 graduates—representing 29% of the cohort—received First Class degrees in Bachelor of Education programs. Acting Principal Dr. Christopher Yaw Dewodo described the feat as a historical achievement for the institution. The ceremony also addressed the evolving role of educators, with the Bishop of the Ho Diocese and the Chief of Staff highlighting the necessity of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching while maintaining a human-centric approach to societal transformation. Dr. Dewodo further appealed for improved facilities to sustain these rising academic standards.

Further strengthening the link between education and practical skills, the Prince De Henry Educational Complex has appointed Dr. Dave Bishop as Executive Chairman and Co-Director of Strategic Development. This collaboration aims to pioneer a unique model in Ghana that integrates sports—specifically boxing—with ICT and traditional education. Dr. Bishop, who brings four decades of experience in sports management and recently received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, intends to establish a boxing gym and ICT center to provide career pathways and scholarships for youth.

These collective milestones reflect a broader evolution in Ghanaian education, where institutions are moving beyond traditional curricula to embrace technology, sports, and corporate leadership. Whether through the historic academic performance at FRANCO or the infusion of industrial expertise at UniMAC and Prince De Henry, the focus remains on empowering the next generation with multifaceted skills. As these leaders take their roles, the focus will now shift to how these strategic investments and academic successes translate into long-term national development and professional excellence.