Dr. Roger Ayimbillah Atinga, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Administration and Health Services Management at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has been installed as the 20th Hall Master of the Mensah Sarbah Hall, at a colorful ceremony held at the forecourt of Mensah Sarbah Hall.
The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Prof. Charles Antwi-Bosiako, Chairperson of the Chaplaincy Board.
Dr. Atinga, in his inaugural speech expressed appreciation to God for the opportunity to honor Him through his service in Mensah Sarbah Hall. He was thankful to his family and friends, the planning committee, tutors, fellows and Management of Mensah Sarbah Hall for their support and for putting together a grand installation ceremony.
Dr. Atinga urged the young fellows of the hall to rise to the challenge, as he has laid the foundation for them. He also encouraged them to take interest in the affairs of the Hall, by finding space in their routines to accommodate activities of the Hall.
Dr. Roger Ayimbillah Atinga delivering his inaugural speech
Outlining his commitment and vision for the Hall, he pledged to demonstrate proactive leadership by mobilising the needed human capital and resources to create a conducive residential and learning ecosystem, that complements the world class status of the University. He appealed to the Hall’s alumni to come on board with their collective efforts as this will deepen the commitment to continue to set the pace for others. He further outlined some activities to recognise outstanding staff and students of the hall.
The new Hall Master reiterated his commitment to ensuring an end to student-related violence and the Hall’s support for measures that the University is putting in place to prevent violence.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who chaired the event, congratulated Dr. Atinga and expressed confidence in his leadership abilities. She stated that the Hall plays a critical role in the attempt to shape students of the University.
She urged him to embrace the virtues of patience and endurance to deal with the challenges that will come his way.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
Prof. Amfo outlined some measures the University has taken to avoid student violence on campus and enhance security, citing the installation of CCTV cameras and working closely with the law enforcement authorities as instances. She also mentioned ongoing disciplinary processes involving some suspected perpetrators of violent activities on campus.
The Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, a former Vice Chancellor, in his remarks congratulated Dr. Atinga and expressed appreciation to the authorities of the Hall for the invitation. Prof. Aryeetey, who is also fellow of the hall, stressed the motto of the hall – Knowledge, Honor and Service. “Knowledge provides the opportunity to learn from one another, Honor as being trusted and seen as a great person, whereas Service is about leadership, that is, the opportunity to showcase what you have,” he said. He encouraged Dr. Atinga to stay true to the values embedded in the motto. “These three things should guide you as you think about the students of the Hall in their search for knowledge,” he added.
Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey
Other officers of the Hall namely, Dr. Daniel Amoako Darko (Senior Tutor), Dr. Yvonne Agbetsoamedo (Deputy Senior Tutor), Mr. Abraham Kwesi Kumado (Hall Bursar), Mr. Godfred Amoah (Senior Common Room President), Ms. Naomi Abla Bada (Staff Representative), Mr. Daniel Ofori Frimpong (Junior Common Room President) and His Eminence Albert Seth Francis Nyonyo (President of Alumni Association) pledged their support to the new Hall Master.
Delivering the exhortation, Rev. Fr. William Abaiku Apprey, Priest, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, UG, charged Dr. Roger A. Atinga to love God and enquire of those who have gone before him. “God sees all our weakness but also sees our strength; God sees our failure but also sees our potentials, that is how God sees and encourages you to have that kind of vision as you deal with your colleagues and students who come to the Hall.”
The Bible readings were taken by Dr. Lily Yarney, Senior Lecturer, UGBS and Dr. Edem E. Sabah Welbeck, Lecturer, UGBS.
Dr. Joseph Adusei Sarkodie, Deputy Senior Tutor, Commonwealth Hall gave a solidarity message. He stated that the administration of Commonwealth Hall would work closely with the administration of Dr. Roger Atinga to find lasting solutions to the tensions among students of both Halls. He hinted that some joint activities between the two Halls, were being considered to help improve their relationship.
On behalf of students of the hall, a citation was presented to the new Hall Master to wish him well.
Cross-section of participants at the Installation
In attendance were Greater Accra Mass Choir, Kaasa Cultural Troop and Mensah Sarbah Airforce Cadet, who interspersed the ceremony with beautiful performances.
Present at the ceremony were Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs; Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar; Prof. Charity Akotia, Most Senior Fellow of Mensah Sarbah Hall; Prof. Innocent Y.D. Lawson, immediate past Hall Master; Mrs. Bernice B. Agudu, Director of Finance; Mrs. Elizier Taiba Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Yvonne A. Lamptey, Acting Director, Human Resource and Organisational Development Directorate (HRODD), other Hall Masters/Warden and Senior Tutors, past Hall Masters of Mensah Sarbah Hall, Members of the Chaplaincy Board, staff, students and alumni of Mensah Sarbah Hall.
Also present at the ceremony were Priests and church members of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, family and friends of the new Hall Master and members of the University community.
