Nathaniel Kofi Pecku was born on the 3rd of March 1933 at exactly noon. He was born in Lagos though his parents came from Ada, in Ghana. His name Nathaniel was because of its meaning , ‘A Gift of God’. He was brought back to Ghana in 1935. His early years between 1935 to 1949 were spent in an environment that truly shaped his future.  His mother insisted on Sunday school attendance and took the time to ask the children what they had learnt.

He attended Odorgonno Secondary School supported by his grandfather and some uncles who saw him through. From Odorgonno, Kofi served as an uncertificated teacher, they were known as pupil teachers in those days. He was at the Somanya Methodist Middle School before entering the Wesley College in Kumasi to train as a qualified teacher from 1954 to 1955. After teaching at Adukrom United Middle School for three years he was admitted to the University of Ghana to read a degree in History.

He was then posted to Prempeh College in Kumasi in 1961. At Prempeh College he was involved in the activities of the History Teachers Association and the Consultative Council of Teacher’s Association. His work at Prempeh College served as a launching pad for his appointment as Assistant Lecturer at the University College of Cape Coast in History. He later changed to Education and specialized in Guidance and Counselling. He went on to study at the University of New Hampshire for his Masters degree and then Indiana Bloomington Campus for his doctorate. The change from History of Education to Counselling and Psychology was through grace. He accepted a suggestion by the Dean of his Faculty to specialize in the new area of study which the faculty was considering. Within months, Kofi had secured a scholarship. In 1978, he received a Fulbright Scholarship.

In UCC God provided opportunities for professional advancement. After his two opportunities for study leave in the United States, he soon got involved in administration at the University. This commenced with tutorial responsibilities in the students’ Halls of Residence which culminated in his appointment as Dean of Student Affairs. His teaching activities led to his appointment as Ag. Head of the Department of Educational Foundations for two terms – 1982 to 1986 and 1991 to 1993. He was also the elected Dean of the Faculty of Education for two terms 1985 to 1987 and 1992. He was also on various boards and committees of the University and elected to the University of Cape Coast council from 1982-1984. From UCC he was appointed Principal of the University College of Education, Winneba from 1993 to 1998. He continued the transformation of the seven amalgamated diploma awarding colleges into a unified university institution . He later became the founding Principal of the Methodist University College, Ghana from 2000 to 2003. Finally, he was invited to serve as Rector of the new University of College of Management Studies with campuses in Accra and Kumasi (2006-2011). Professor Pecku was on the National Planning Committee for Implementation of School Reforms which brought about the JSS educational system. He also worked as the UNDP consultant in Counselling and Project Coordinator for the Government Redeployment Programme. He was also the Consultant on Distance Education for Commonwealth of Learning and Ghana Education Council. As already mentioned he is a Fellow of the Fulbright Hays scholarship and also is an external examiner. The first Ghanaian to be trained in Guidance (Career Counselling ) in the United States of America. He had an honorary Doctor of Law degree conferred to him at the University of Ghana, Legon. A building is dedicated to him at the University of Education, Winneba.

Professor Nathaniel Pecku is above all a deeply spiritual man, serving as a lay leader in the Methodist Church for decades and also as Chapter President for the Full Gospel Business Mens Fellowship International. He is married to Dorothy Abena Ampofoa Pecku and has two children, Kwabena Pecku and Theresa Pecku-Laryea.