The Governing Council of the Dr. Hilla Limann Technical
University, formerly known as Wa Polytechnic, has appointed Worthy Bro.
Professor Elias Nortaa Kunedeb Sowley, the Supreme Laity Representative, as the
new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University.
A memorandum dated 31st May, 2021, signed by Mr. Vitus Songotuah, the
Registrar, indicated that the appointment takes effect on 1st June, 2021.
The new VC is a graduate from the University of Cape Coast (Bachelor’s Degree),
University of Ghana (MPhil) and University of Reading, United Kingdom, where he
completed his doctorate studies in 2006.
He was until his appointment, the Dean of Graduate School of the University for
Development Studies (UDS).
A Plant Pathologist by profession, Worthy Bro. Professor Sowley, was an
employee of UDS since 2001 where he rose through the ranks as Lecturer to
Senior Lecturer in 2011, in the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture.
On 29th November, 2016, he was promoted Associate Professor.
Among others, the new VC was a former Director of the Directorate of Academic
Planning and Quality Assurance and member of the Academic Board of UDS, having
also previously held positions such as Coordinator of Postgraduate programmes,
Acting Head of Department and later substantive Head, Department of Agronomy,
Faculty of Agriculture.
Worthy Bro. Professor Sowley was initiated at Council 27, Tamale, on 10th
March, 2012. He acted as a Guard on a number of occasions, subsequently serving
as Assistant Secretary of Finance and Secretary of Finance till his election as
Deputy Grand Knight in December, 2016. On 9th December 2017, he was installed
the 30th Grand Knight of Council 27.
The new VC is currently a member of Council 153, Tamale, having transferred
from Council 27 early this year (2021).
A parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish, Tamale, for several years now, he is
currently the National Chairman of the National Catholic Laity Council (NCLC),
having been elected in 2019. Prior to his election, he was the Chairman of the
Tamale Archdiocesan Laity Council and was also previously the Chairman of the
Parish Pastoral Council of his parish.
The new VC is married to Sis. Rachel Walkiatu Sowley, Noble Lady of Court 149,
Sacred Heart Parish, Tamale. The couple have four sons who are all members of
Junior Order, 14J Queen of Heaven, OLA Cathedral, Tamale.
Report by: Francis Ekow Monnie, RCO, Tamale