Professor Samuel Kwasi Dartey-Baah steps down as Director of the Institutional Advancement Directorate (InAD) at the University of Ghana, leaving a legacy defined by strategic foresight, transformative leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
From his appointment as Acting Director in 2021 to his full tenure from 2022 to 2025, Prof. Dartey-Baah led InAD through a period of dynamic growth. One of his earliest and most symbolic achievements was overseeing the transition of the unit from the Office of Institutional Advancement to the Institutional Advancement Directorate, a move that reflected its growing strategic importance within the University’s governance structure.
He developed a three-year strategic blueprint focused on resource mobilisation, operational excellence, visibility, and strategic collaborations, aligning with UG’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan. His leadership was evident at the 2025 Deans and Directors in Leadership and Advancement Conference, where he challenged university leaders to respond to shifting international relations and aid dynamics with innovation and resilience.
Delivering the World Bank ACE Institutional Impact Project
Prof. Dartey-Baah’s most transformative achievement was leading the implementation of the World Bank ACE Institutional Impact Project (DLI7). Under his stewardship, UG achieved all ten milestones six months ahead of schedule, securing over USD 1 million ($1,000,000) in funding. These milestones included:
- Developing an Institutional Regional Strategy for the University of Ghana
- Undergoing the first phase of International Institutional Accreditation
- Participating in PASET Benchmarking initiatives to improve UG’s data systems maturity level
- Establishing five (5) new alumni groups across the West-African subregion.
- Leading key infrastructure upgrades, including enhanced internet connectivity across the Legon and Korle Bu campuses, upgraded features for the University’s learning management system (SAKAI), and the establishment of smart classrooms on the Korle Bu Campus to advance virtual learning.
Strengthened Leadership Development and Institutional Advancement
Under his leadership, InAD launched impactful programmes that strengthened leadership capacity and institutional advancement. These included the annual Deans and Directors in Leadership and Advancement Conference, held three times to convene university leaders for professional development; unit-specific customer relations training for administrative staff, notably at the College of Education; and industry engagement fora such as sessions on emotional intelligence and organisational resilience.
He also introduced the UG Advance Conference, a flagship convening for alumni in industry that fostered strategic dialogue between academia and the private sector.
Contributions to InAD’s Strategic Sub-Units
Alumni Relations: Strengthening UG’s Ties with its Alumni
Under his leadership, InAD significantly expanded UG’s global alumni footprint by launching five new alumni associations in Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and Francophone Africa, resulting in strategic alumni associations in eight countries. He championed alumni-led initiatives and supported the development of the maiden UG Alumni Newsletter, UG Connect. His support for the UGAAL Strategic Plan (2025–2030) in Liberia reflected his belief in alumni as strategic partners of transformation. He championed the maiden UG Advance Conference which is designed to be an annual convening of alumni in industry.
Projects: Implementing Donor-funded and UG-developmental Projects
Prof. Dartey-Baah has led the successful execution of high-impact, donor-funded and University-led projects aligned with the UG’s strategic priorities. Notably, he oversaw the full delivery of all ten milestones of the World Bank ACE Institutional Impact Project (DLI7), securing over USD 1 million to refurbish lecture rooms with modern pedagogical technology, establish smart classrooms, expand broadband infrastructure, and operationalise the Logistics and Academic Quality Directorates.
He has led engagements with Zenith Bank for the construction of an ultra-modern ICT Centre and engaged with MTN and GNPC to fully develop proposed collaborative projects that will significantly advance the University’s strategic priorities.
Major Donor Fundraising: Fundraising to Achieve Institutional Developmental Goals
As Director, Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah led strategic donor engagement to mobilise resources for priority development projects at the University of Ghana. Under the Vice-Chancellor’s Digitalisation Initiative, he advanced discussions with OmniBSIC Bank, securing their commitment to construct one of ten planned hotspot comfort zones, now at an advanced stage with land allocated. He also secured a major donor pledge to build a four-storey ultra-modern facility for the Medical School Clinic at Korle Bu, Accra, incorporating additional classrooms to support the classroom modernisation initiative. This construction project is currently ongoing and almost nearing completion.
His efforts attracted significant financial and in-kind contributions, including a cash donation from CalBank for the classroom modernisation initiatives and laptop donations from organisations such as Stanbic Investment Management Services for the One Student One Laptop initiative.
Beyond these flagship projects, he facilitated funding support for key University units, including the Academic Affairs Directorate and the Human Resource and Organisational Development Directorate, to implement strategic programmes, while initiating ongoing discussions with other partners to advance additional institutional priorities.
Marketing and Communications: Enhancing InAD’s Visibility Within and Outside UG
As Director of InAD, Professor Dartey-Baah spearheaded the development of the University of Ghana’s first comprehensive marketing and communications strategy, approved by both University Management and the Academic Board. This strategy now drives the University’s branding, stakeholder engagement, and postgraduate recruitment initiatives.
Under his leadership, the Directorate launched a dedicated website and established a robust suite of communication channels, including theAdvancement Quarterly newsletter, the biannual alumni newsletter UG Connect, and the annual Institutional Advancement Report, ensuring stakeholders remain informed and engaged with the University’s advancement activities.
Advancing Sustainable Resource Mobilisation through InAD
In alignment with the University’s fifth strategic priority, sustainable resource mobilisation, Prof. Dartey-Baah led InAD to successfully win the bid to become the sole sales point for University of Ghana graduation gowns and branded souvenirs. This initiative not only enhanced the visibility of UG’s brand but also created a reliable revenue stream to support the implementation of the University’s key strategic priorities. Through this effort, graduating students now contribute directly to the achievement of UG’s strategic objectives while celebrating their academic achievements. Recognising the need for a structured and coordinated approach to advancement, Prof. Dartey-Baah championed the development of the University’s Fundraiser Compensation Policy, a landmark initiative designed to professionalise and incentivise fundraising across the institution.
After an impactful four-year tenure, Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah officially handed over as Director of Institutional Advancement on July 31, 2025. He now takes on a new leadership role as Vice-Chancellor of Central University, effective September 01, 2025.
The Institutional Advancement Directorate celebrates Prof. Dartey-Baah’s remarkable contributions and wishes him continued success and excellence in his new role.