UEW Charts Forward Path at 2025 Mid-Year Convocation
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), held its Convocation on Tuesday, 29th July 2025, at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus, Winneba.
Chaired by Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of the University, the gathering brought together teaching and administrative staff to discuss key institutional issues and the progress report.
Addressing members on the “State of the University,” Prof. Mitchual reaffirmed UEW’s dedication to its vision of becoming a globally respected institution for teacher education and research.
He highlighted the University’s current student population of nearly 61,000, noting a decline caused by setbacks in the distance education programme due to administrative and infrastructural limitations, as well as regulatory directives from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The Vice-Chancellor mentioned ongoing efforts to revive the programme through establishing purpose-built centres in major regional capitals.
On academic growth, Prof. Mitchual reported notable improvement in faculty credentials, revealing that a significant number of lecturers now hold PhDs. He encouraged continued professional development, collaborative research and high-quality publications. He also announced that between 2023 and 2025, 80 teaching staff members were promoted, including eight full professors and 35 associate professors.
The Vice-Chancellor identified postgraduate enrolment as a challenge, currently at 8.8% of total enrolment—well below the national target of 25%. He urged departments to raise awareness of postgraduate pathways, especially among final-year undergraduates.
On financial matters, UEW reported appreciable liquid funds and surplus. Nevertheless, concerns persist over a high monthly wage bill estimated at GH₵21 million and outstanding salary commitments. Prof. Mitchual outlined ongoing cost-cutting measures such as relocating retreats to campus and reducing non-essential expenses.
The University made notable progress in digital transformation with the IT Directorate receiving plaudits for developing in-house systems for admissions, student records and library management to greatly reduce reliance on external software. The Vice-Chancellor called for continued support and motivation for the ICT team.
The Vice-Chancellor addressed issues on delays in fee payments and registration, noting that over 11,000 students had defaulted until their portals were deactivated. This prompted over 5,000 students to make payments within two weeks. A final grace period has since been granted, after which unregistered students will face deferment.
Speaking on infrastructure and welfare, Prof. Mitchual announced that the UEW Hospital has begun limited operations, with further equipment planned through partnerships. He hinted that a staff wellness initiative and recruitment of 30 new security personnel were underway, alongside expanded CCTV coverage and the installation of 600 streetlights donated by the Ministry of Energy.
Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah, Acting Registrar of UEW and moderator for the programme, set the tone for the meeting by officially welcoming members and facilitating the adoption of the agenda and minutes for the previous meeting. She provided essential updates on current issues, particularly the revision of the university’s statutes, which is awaiting final ratification by the new Governing Council.
Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah also addressed campus administrative concerns including progress on traffic regulation enforcement. She noted the successful demarcation of roads and emphasised the need for increased security enforcement, particularly at the South Campus, as part of ongoing efforts to improve order and safety across the university.
Surv. John Kwaku Oppong, Esq., Head of the Legal Office, presented an update on the University’s legal initiatives to reclaim encroached lands. He noted that court proceedings are currently underway and that high-level petitions have been formally submitted to the relevant national authorities.
During the open forum, members raised concerns such as the need for competitive fee structures, improved public relations and transparency in the Ghana Universities’ Staff Superannuation Scheme (GUSSS).
The Vice-Chancellor assured members of constant auditing and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to transparency. Looking ahead, Prof. Mitchual unveiled plans for a new library complex, science laboratory, accommodation facilities and a senior members' wellness centre. He called on staff to support capital development through proposal writing and donor engagement.
He concluded with a passionate appeal for a collective mindset shift: “It is all about attitude. It is all about our mentality and our commitment to change. Together, we can make UEW a better place for ourselves and generations to come.”
