The Governing Council of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has named Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor as the incoming Vice-Chancellor, set to take office on January 1, 2025. This announcement, which marks a significant leadership transition at UPSA, was conveyed through the university’s official X handle, underscoring the school’s commitment to keeping the university community informed through modern digital platforms.
Professor Mawutor is not new to UPSA or leadership roles within academic and financial circles. Before his new appointment, he served as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UPSA. His tenure in this role was distinguished by his robust contributions to the academic and financial health of the university. With over seventeen years of experience in Accounting and Finance, Professor Mawutor has an impressive blend of expertise in both academic pursuits and practical financial management.
His academic journey has been marked by significant milestones. As an Associate Professor of Accounting, he has actively engaged in important university statutory committees, and his research has notably focused on capital flight issues in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries. His work extends beyond academia into advocacy, particularly in anti-corruption measures, demonstrating his commitment to ethical leadership and governance.
Before ascending to the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mawutor also made his mark as the Dean of Graduate Studies at UPSA for six years. In this capacity, he was instrumental in expanding the range of graduate programs offered by the university, thereby enriching the academic environment and broadening opportunities for students. His leadership during this period also contributed significantly to the university’s financial performance, aligning academic excellence with fiscal health.
Outside the university walls, Professor Mawutor has held several noteworthy positions that have allowed him to influence broader governance and development issues. He has served as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abokobi Area Rural Bank and as a member of the Coastal Development Authority Board. These roles have afforded him a platform to impact financial and developmental policies directly.
Professor Mawutor’s educational background is as diverse as it is rich. He earned a Doctor of Finance degree from SMC University in Switzerland, a Master’s degree from Wisconsin International University College in Ghana, and holds professional certifications from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana. This solid educational foundation has underpinned his extensive career in both teaching and financial governance.
As a scholar, Professor Mawutor has contributed to the academic world through numerous publications in indexed and ranked journals, and by presenting papers at various prestigious conferences. His voice has also resonated in national discourses through frequent media engagements, where he has shared his insights on financial and governance issues.
As Professor Mawutor prepares to succeed Professor Abednego F.O. Amartey, whose tenure concludes on December 31, 2024, the university community anticipates a continuation of strong leadership. The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amartey, leaves behind a legacy of growth and stability which the incoming leader is well-equipped to build upon. Under Professor Mawutor’s leadership, UPSA is expected to continue its trajectory towards becoming a more influential institution in the region, particularly in the fields of professional studies and practical finance, areas critical to Ghana’s development and beyond.
Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor’s appointment as the next Vice-Chancellor of UPSA promises to usher in a new era of leadership poised to drive academic innovation and financial integrity. His extensive experience and proven commitment to both education and finance ideally position him to lead UPSA in achieving its strategic goals and furthering its mission as a leading educational institution in Ghana and across Africa.
Source: Graphic Online
