Bishop Titi-Ofei invested as Chancellor of University of Gold Coast
Bishop Dr Gideon Titi-Ofei, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Pleasant Place Church, has been officially invested as Chancellor of the University of Gold Coast, formerly known as Accra Business School.
The investiture ceremony, held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the university’s Assembly Hall in Accra, was themed “Building Leaders for the Nations” and drew dignitaries from across the globe.
The event marked a milestone in both the life of Bishop Titi-Ofei and the institution, which has undergone a strategic rebranding to align with its broader vision of nurturing transformational leadership across Africa and beyond.
Bishop Titi-Ofei, celebrated for his contributions to leadership development and higher education, used the occasion to call for a radical shift in leadership values on the continent.
“Leadership is not about personal glory. It is about raising others,” he stated. “You don’t need a prominent name or a privileged background to make a significant impact. You need purpose, discipline, and a heart for service.” He explained that the university’s mission would go beyond academic excellence to become a launchpad for shaping purposeful, value-driven African leaders.
“We are not here to produce graduates with just degrees; we are here to release destinies,” Bishop Titi-Ofei declared, receiving a rousing ovation. He stressed the need for leaders who would confront Africa’s complex challenges with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility.
Drawing from Judges 9 in the bible, he warned of the societal cost when capable people refuse leadership, allowing space for unfit individuals to take charge. “When men of integrity and vision refuse to step up, we hand over society to those unworthy of leadership,” he noted.
The new Chancellor pledged a lifelong commitment to mentoring young leaders who would prioritise community transformation. “The future of Africa will not be shaped by international donors,” he affirmed. “It will be shaped by African leaders who are disciplined, Christ-centred, and bold enough to lead with love and integrity.”
Delivering the keynote address, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare praised Bishop Titi-Ofei’s leadership legacy and described the investiture as a divine call to raise a new cadre of visionary reformers.
He highlighted five defining traits of the new Chancellor’s leadership—transformational, charismatic, servant, ethical, and strategic—and charged the university community to support the vision of raising intellectually sound and spiritually grounded leaders.
Referencing Matthew 28:19, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” Archbishop Agyinasare urged faculty, students, and clergy to embrace their mandate to shape leaders who would reform every sector of society.
He described the University of Gold Coast as more than a place of academic pursuit, calling it a “leadership altar” meant to birth reformers and rebuilders equipped for Africa’s unique development path.
One of the international guests, Baroness Arlene Foster, former First Minister of Northern Ireland and current member of the UK House of Lords, delivered an emotional address. Reflecting on her own journey of breaking barriers as the first in her family to attend grammar school and university, she encouraged students to take their futures seriously.
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, Baroness Foster said, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” She shared that three guiding principles—listening, learning, and leveraging passion—were instrumental in her life and advised students to adopt them. “Education is not just a path to personal success. It is the foundation for transforming families, societies, and nations,” she noted.
Baroness Foster commended the university’s leadership for its bold vision and praised Bishop Titi-Ofei for his commitment to uplifting African youth. “It’s a joy to witness the beginning of this new chapter. This university is giving young men and women the opportunity to uncover their potential and rise to greatness,” she concluded.
