The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has pledged his full support for the 2026 Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities in Ghana, ARCTUG, which will be hosted by Takoradi Technical University, TTU, from 25th to 29th May 2026.
The Minister gave the assurance when the Vice Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, led a delegation from the Local Organising Committee of ARCTUG to formally brief him on the upcoming conference and solicit his support.
Commending TTU for its leadership role among Technical Universities in Ghana, the Western Regional Minister expressed his commitment to work closely with the University to facilitate preparations, ensure the participation of key government officials, and provide any necessary assistance to make the event a success.
“TTU has grown to such prominence because of your leadership, and I believe there is still more room for growth. Each time I see you, I am excited because TTU is moving in the right direction. This is something that will benefit both the region and the institution, so you have my full support. We will work on securing the President’s attendance; a letter should be sent in good time to enable a decision to be made. Although I have not yet seen your budget, I am very willing to support your programme to ensure its success. My wish is that all the steps you take toward this programme will be fruitful,” the Minister assured.
He further emphasized that the conference would help showcase the Western Region as a hub for innovation and development. “It will shine a light on the Western Region. I do not think it will be a struggle to put in what is needed to make it work. When you need to call again for anything that I or the RCC can do to help, please do not hesitate to reach out,” he pledged.
The Vice Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, explained that hosting the research conference is a major opportunity for the University and that it was important to formally inform the Minister and seek his support. He described ARCTUG as one of the largest academic gatherings in Ghana, providing a platform for innovation, research, and collaboration among Technical Universities and industry.
Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for ARCTUG 2026, Prof. Maame Afua Nkrumah, also appealed for the Minister’s guidance and support, particularly in linking the University to institutions and stakeholders that could help. She stressed that mobilizing adequate resources would be key to achieving TTU’s vision for the conference.
Prof. Nkrumah added that the event would significantly boost the local economy by benefiting hotels, restaurants, and other service providers in the region. “This is a very big conference, and we know that the best comes from the West; therefore, expectations are very high. It is our turn to host, and we want to make it a landmark event that brings historic and economic benefits to the region,” she emphasized.
