UGBS Professor Vera Ogeh Fiador Assumes Role as First Female UTAG President
Prof. Vera Ogeh Fiador, a Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has been sworn in as the National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), becoming the first female to occupy the position. The swearing-in took place on 30th September 2025 at the Hills Palace Hotel in Aburi, during the 22nd Biennial UTAG National Delegates Congress. With her assumption of office, Prof. Fiador is expected to deliver transformative leadership to one of Ghana’s most influential labour unions.
Prof. Fiador, who also holds the distinction of being Ghana’s first female full Professor of Finance, described her election as a significant milestone for women in academia. “I stand here not just as an individual but as a symbol of progress. My election is proof that the glass ceiling in academia can indeed be broken. But we must ensure that this is not an exception, but the beginning of a new normal,” she stated.
She highlighted the pressing need to rebuild public trust in academia, improve conditions of service, and secure sustainable funding for higher education. She further stressed that it was unacceptable for lecturers who have dedicated decades of service to retire into poverty. According to her, respect for academics is not a matter of vanity. It is the oxygen that allows knowledge and innovation to breathe. “When academics are demoralised, the entire knowledge ecosystem suffers and so does Ghana’s development,” she emphasised.
Prof. Fiador cautioned that the persistent underfunding of universities continued to weaken their competitiveness globally. She argued that Ghana could not aspire to a future-ready society if critical infrastructure such as research, laboratories, and libraries remained sidelined. Outlining her priorities for her tenure, she pledged to champion Sustainable Funding, Fair and Sustainable Conditions of Service, Research Grants, Academic Freedom from political interference, and stronger Industry collaborations. The UGBS community congratulates Prof. Fiador on this historic accomplishment and wishes her a successful presidency.
