The President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declaring the 73rd Annual New Year School Open
H.E. Akufo-Addo listed the achievements of the nation during the pandemic and announced government’s plans to establish a domestic COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant and construction of a modular production facility for other vaccines as well in partnership with Senegal and Rwanda and BioNTech of Germany respectively.
This year’s School and Conference was under the theme, “COVID-19 and Socioeconomic Dynamics in Ghana” and organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE) under the College of Education, University of Ghana.
The Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse giving introductory remarks at the 73rd Annual New Year School and Conference
In her introductory remarks, the Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, who chaired the opening ceremony, noted that since the inception of the New Year School and Conference in 1948, it has provided a unique platform for national and local agencies, academia and other stakeholders to deliberate on Ghana’s strategic growth and development issues.
‘I salute the University of Ghana Community, particularly the School of Continuing and Distance Education for sustaining the New Year School and Conference concept for 73 consecutive years’, she said. The Chancellor also expressed hope that the conference’s theme will be extremely useful in mitigating the effects of the pandemic. She noted with excitement the addition of a youth school to provide young people a platform to deliberate on issues that concern and affect them in the face of the pandemic, and also to discuss creative ways to overcome the effects the pandemic has had on them. Mrs. Chinery-Hesse was hopeful that all the recommendations of the New Year School and Conference would inform the nation’s action plans particularly on the revival of economy.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo giving a welcome address
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her welcome address said ‘universities in Ghana have an important role to play in spurring on economic growth and resilience through innovation, knowledge transfer, and community engagement. This role has become even more crucial in view of the urgency to restore to normalcy the Ghanaian economy, after the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the premier University in Ghana, it is our anticipation that this year’s New Year School and Conference will champion the identification of models that would boost economic growth and development, taking cognisance of the current and future pandemics’.
Prof. Amfo also commended SCDE and its collaborators for sustaining the ANYS & C tradition which serves as a barometer for gauging public opinion for the promotion of good governance and socio-economic development in the country.
Dr. Juliette M. Tuakli, Medical Director, Chief Executive Officer, CHILDAccra Medical Group and Ghana Chair, Board of Trustees of United Way Worldwide
Dr. Juliette M. Tuakli, Medical Director, Chief Executive Officer, CHILDAccra Medical Group and Ghana Chair, Board of Trustees of United Way Worldwide, in her keynote address, highlighted the impacts of Covid-19 on life in Ghana. She drew attention to supporting our health policy with improved data collection systems, importance of energy as critical component of health care capacity, increasing public health budgets and committing to a truly free universal health care coverage. She also bemoaned the devastating effects of the closure of schools during the heat of the pandemic, especially for girls since they were exposed to early marriages and teenage pregnancies. Dr. Tuakli revealed that vaccine and pharmaceutical development is an important developmental tool which stimulates decent jobs, trade facilitation, diversification of global value chains and mobilises technological expertise. She suggested ‘investing in the public good rather than private interests’ in Ghana’s post Covid-19 pandemic recovery.
Mr. Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director
Mr. Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director, in his keynote address, shared three key impacts on the Ghanaian economy and recommended that Ghana needs to strengthen the responsiveness of its health care system and its social safety nets. He added that prioritizing education, jobs and adapting agriculture, infrastructure and the economy will prevent losses.
Sharing the private sector’s involvement in the fight against Covid-19 in Ghana, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies mentioned the disinfection exercises Zoomlion had undertaken in schools, religious and corporate organisations with assistance from government. Further, Mr. Agyepong emphasised the opportunities which have emerged during the pandemic period. He mentioned job creation that had evolved including the face mask/shield and the production of sanitizer which had engaged a substantial number of young people.
H.E. the President, Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor wth the ANYS & C Corporate Advisory Team
As part of the opening ceremony, H.E. President Akufo-Addo, inaugurated the ANYS & C Corporate Advisory team to serve as the link between academia and industry by mobilizing human, material and financial resources to ensure the sustainability of the ANYS & C brand. Introducing the members of the team, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Amfo, disclosed that the ANYS & C was going through a rebranding and repositioning exercise to fit into the changing global dynamics in the competitive market environment, thus, the nine-member team will assist the University to create, develop and manage resources for ensuring financial sustainability of the School and Conference.
Prof. Amfo expressed gratitude to the team for accepting the appointment to serve the University. The ANYS & C Corporate Advisory Team comprises Hon. Sam Okudzeto (Chairman); Dr. Ishmael Yamson; Hon. Ken Ofori- Atta; Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare; Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong; Dr. Ernest Addison; Mr. Jack Andrews Dotsey; Prof. Olivia A. T. F. Kwapong (Members) and Mrs. Regina Afari Boateng (Secretary).
The ANYS & C Corporate Advisory team will serve an initial term of two years and a possible second term of another two years.
Ghana Dance Ensemble performing at the ceremony
There were cultural dances and musical interludes by the Ghana Dance Ensemble and the Ghana Police Band.
In attendance at the 73rd ANYS & C opening ceremony were some members of the University Council, College Advisory Boards, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Ken Ofori Atta and other government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and traditional leaders, students, alumni and friends of the University.
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