Accra Technical University then (Accra Technical Institute) became the first Technical University to be established. In 1963 the Institute assumed a new name as Accra Polytechnic under the directions of President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to be a key driver of the country’s industrialization process. Following the operationalization of the PNDC Law of 1992 (PNDC 321) in 1993/1994, the Polytechnic gained tertiary recognition.
The elevation provided that the University under the Higher Education Council was vest with the autonomy to award Higher National Diploma (HND) through the National Board for Professional and Technical Examination (NABPTEX).
With the coming into force of the Polytechnic Act (Act 745) in 2007, the PNDC Law 321 of 1992 was repealed to allow polytechnics the autonomy to award Higher National Diplomas (HND), Diplomas, Certificates and other degrees that the Polytechnic may deem appropriate, all accredited by the National Accreditation Board.
The Technical University Act, 2016, (Act 922) converted together with 8 other Polytechnics, Accra Polytechnic to Accra Technical University, given it a Technical University status. The elevation was aimed at enhancing technical training with emphasis on producing world-class graduates molded in excellence and professionalism in diverse technical programmes in theory and in practice.
Currently, the University has 5 faculties – Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Built Environment, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Arts, and Faculty of Business – and 16 departments.
Accra Technical University’s story began in 1949 as a Technical School, with a clear mission to train skilled hands for Ghana’s growing economy. In 1957, the school was officially commissioned as Accra Technical Institute, marking an important step in technical education in the country.
In 1963, under the leadership of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the institution was renamed Accra Polytechnic. This change came with a bigger responsibility: to support Ghana’s industrial growth by training practical, skilled professionals who could help build the nation.
A major milestone was reached in the 1993/1994 academic year, when Accra Polytechnic gained full tertiary institution status following the introduction of PNDC Law 321. This recognition allowed the institution to operate at a higher academic level and award Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) through the National Board for Professional and Technical Examinations (NABPTEX).
Further progress came in 2007 with the Polytechnic Act (Act 745). This law gave the institution greater independence to run its academic affairs and award HNDs, Diplomas, Certificates, and other approved programmes, all accredited by the National Accreditation Board.
The biggest transformation happened in 2016, when the Technical University Act (Act 922) converted Accra Polytechnic into Accra Technical University, along with eight other polytechnics across the country. This change elevated the institution to full Technical University status, with a strong focus on hands-on training, innovation, and professional excellence.
Today, Accra Technical University stands as a modern institution committed to producing highly skilled, confident, and industry-ready graduates. The University currently operates five faculties Engineering, Built Environment, Applied Sciences, Applied Arts, and Business, supported by 16 academic departments that offer diverse programmes in both theory and practical training.
A Technical University of global excellence in competency based and practice-oriented training, applied research and technology transfer.
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