The Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah, has revealed that UMaT has become one of the fastest-growing STEM institutions in West Africa, with a remarkable 479% increase in student enrolment within just five years.

Presenting his report during the 17th Congregation Ceremony on November 29, 2025, Prof. Amankwah said the university has moved from a population of 2,697 students in 2020 to 15,621 students today — a transformation he described as historic and unmatched in the sub-region.

He noted that UMaT’s transformation over the last four years has positioned the university as a continental leader in mining, engineering, technology and applied sciences.

“UMaT is no longer just Ghana’s premier mining university; we are now West Africa’s fastest-growing STEM institution with a reputation for excellence, innovation and global relevance,” he declared.

According to Prof. Amankwah, the growth was the result of deliberate interventions taken during his tenure.

These included the launch of 10 new undergraduate programmes, the expansion of postgraduate admissions across two seasons, the operationalisation of the Essikado Campus, the introduction of new faculties and strategic offices, and support for national TVET and STEM priorities.

He added that although accommodation was initially a challenge, partnerships under the Build, Own, Operate and Maintain (BOOM) scheme helped create more than enough student housing both on campus and within Tarkwa.

In his report, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that UMaT has firmly positioned itself as a leader in digital mining, artificial intelligence and 4th Industrial Revolution technologies in West Africa.

He cited the US$1.5 million Smart Systems Centre, funded by AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine; the first university-based facility in West Africa capable of printing motherboards, a robotics and autonomous systems lab, a high-performance computing centre, and precision manufacturing equipment as facilities in the university that are propelling the institution to a higher level.

Other facilities contributing to this include: Mining Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory Building, funded under the Ghana Chamber of Mines Tertiary Education Fund. And a new Huawei-built Data Centre to improve ICT security, digital teaching tools and administrative systems.

The Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Hon. Issah Taylor, has praised the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) for its remarkable contribution to national development, describing the institution as a symbol of excellence, innovation and global recognition in mining and engineering education.

According to him, “I take great pride in representing a constituency that hosts the finest technical and mining university in Ghana and one of the best in Africa.”
Taylor urged residents of Tarkwa-Nsuaem to become proud ambassadors of UMaT, noting that the university continues to elevate the municipality onto the global map through its academic and research excellence.

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in a speech read on his behalf by Professor George K. T. Oduro, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education, reiterated the government’s strong commitment to strengthening higher education and enhancing research capacity across Ghana’s universities.

Prof Oduro commended the university’s leadership, faculty, staff, and parents for their collective efforts in shaping graduates who continue to drive Ghana’s growth in mining, petroleum, geology, and other critical sectors.

As part of the graduation ceremony, three personalities who have distinguished themselves in their fields of work were awarded Honorary Degrees.

They are Mr Justice Amoh, the Chief Executive Officer of JUSTMOH Construction Ltd., Mr Samuel Boakye Pobee, Managing Director of Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, and Mr Stephen Adjei, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Anglogold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine.