On hand to perform the ceremony was the Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie, Catholic Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council. Prof Obeng-Ofori pledged to rebrand and work hard to make the university a centre of excellence – a leading private university in the country.

 This, he said, was going to be achieved through the creation of the right environment for effective teaching and learning together with adequate provision of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.

 He would build a strong and inclusive management team “whose aspirations shall be anchored on the transformational leadership to bequeath a legacy of a creative thinking and change, while building and mentoring others, who will continue to work”.

 He promised good governance, responsible, transparent and accountable leadership. Prof Obeng-Ofori, who had served as Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, spoke of resource mobilization and prudent financial management.     The new VC, a native of Berekum in the Brong-Ahafo Region, after his basic and secondary education proceeded to the University of Ghana where he obtained Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture (Crop Science) degree in 1982.

Between 1986 and 990, he had his Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Applied Biology and Agricultural Entomology respectively at the Cambridge University, United Kingdom.    Prof. Obeng-Ofori worked as Coordinator of National Diploma in Post-Harvest Technology Programme (1996-2005), Head of Department of Crop Science and Vice-Dean of the School of Agriculture (2002-2005) and Academic Coordinator (2003-2009) at the University of Ghana.

He has also served as a Consultant for several local and international institutions including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the United Nations, World Bank, Food and Agricultural Organization, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British Department for International Development (DFID).

He has since January 2016 been appointed as the Humboldt Ambassador Scientist for Ghana until December 2018 by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany.