Ensign Global College Granted Presidential Charter

On Thursday, December 19, President Akufo-Addo presented a Presidential Charter to Ensign Global College during a ceremony at the Jubilee House, affirming his administration’s commitment to advancing academic excellence, innovation, and nation-building. This recognition marks a major achievement for the institution, which was founded in 2014, as it now gains the authority to independently award its own degrees, diplomas, and certificates. With this new status, Ensign Global College transitions from its long-standing affiliation with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to becoming Ensign Global University.
Prof. Stephen C. Alder, the President of Ensign Global College, expressed deep gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for the award, describing it as a transformative milestone for the institution. He reaffirmed the college’s mission to become a world-class educational institution, rooted in excellence in public health, with a focus on fostering prosperity and growth across Africa. Prof. Alder stated, “The granting of a Presidential Charter to Ensign Global College marks the beginning of a new chapter for us. This new status as an independent private institution of higher education will allow us to significantly expand our impact, particularly in addressing the critical challenges facing Ghana, Africa, and the global community.” He went on to explain that the college plans to use this opportunity to broaden its efforts in public health and introduce new academic programs that will meet the evolving needs essential for prosperity.
One of the key initiatives that Ensign Global College will soon roll out includes new health and safety programs aimed at addressing emerging public health threats, particularly those related to environmental degradation. Additionally, the college is dedicating resources to combat human trafficking, recognizing it as a significant public health issue. Another new addition to their academic offerings will be the Master of Business Creation program, a collaboration with the University of Utah in the United States.
Located in Kpong in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Ensign Global College is a private, not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution that specializes in training the next generation of leaders in public health. The college is particularly known for its innovative academic programs that focus on addressing health challenges specific to Ghana and other parts of West Africa. Ensign Global College offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) program, which is accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) as well as the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), a globally recognized accreditation body based in the United States.
The college was founded in 2014 by Dr. Lynnette and Bob Gay, who were driven by a shared passion for transforming public health education in West Africa. Their vision was to establish an institution that could provide high-quality training and research in public health to address the growing health challenges in the region. Over the past decade, Ensign Global College has made significant strides in achieving this vision, implementing initiatives such as the Health2Go project, which brings healthcare services to underserved communities, and the Centre for Global Surgery, which focuses on advancing surgical care in the region. In addition, the college has recently completed the construction of its Centre for Leadership, Innovation, and Prosperity (CLIP), which is aimed at developing the next generation of leaders who can drive social and economic progress across Africa.
With its new designation as Ensign Global University, the institution is poised to expand its impact significantly. The Presidential Charter has provided the college with greater autonomy, enabling it to chart its own course in terms of academic offerings and research initiatives. This newfound independence allows Ensign Global University to develop programs that are more closely aligned with the needs of Ghana and Africa, while also providing graduates with the skills and knowledge required to tackle global health challenges.
The recognition of Ensign Global College as an independent university reflects the institution’s growing influence in the higher education sector and its commitment to producing highly skilled, innovative leaders who will contribute to the advancement of public health and other critical sectors. Through its innovative programs, groundbreaking research, and commitment to addressing global health issues, Ensign Global University is positioned to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of education and public health in Africa and beyond.