The University of Ghana held the 2016 Remembrance Day over the weekend during which over fifty senior members, senior staff, junior staff, and junior members who passed away during the 2015/2016 academic year were remembered at the two ceremonies.
MUSLIM PRAYERS:
On Friday, November 4, 2016, Muslim Prayers were held at the Central Mosque. Imam Abubakari Baba led the prayers. He exhorted the faithful to live lives that glorify Allah so that upon death they will receive their due reward. There were Quranic readings and translations, Hadith reading, and recitals by Adam Ali Baba, Aisha Kuta and Abdulai N. Mikidad. The President of the Ghana Muslim Students Association, Mr. Shaban Mohammed, called on all to live worthy lives and also to remember to pray for the dead.
The ceremony which was attended by a number of students from both the Muslim and Christian community, was also attended by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Kwame Offei, Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia and Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa. Other senior members who attended the ceremony were Dr. Hudu Fusieni, Dr. Alhassan Osman, Dr. Abdul Hamid Suleiman, Dr. Abu Yaya, Dr. Mamoud Mohammed.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
On Sunday, November 6, 2016, the Christian Service took place at the Great Hall. The Rt. Rev. Dr. H. Dela Dogbe, Bishop of Western African District of A.M.E Zion Church preached at the Service. In his sermon, he noted that God had a reward for all who served mankind well before their demise. He added that the departed persons had fought the good fight and prayed that God will crown the good deeds of those who had departed, especially in their service to the University, their communities and society as a whole.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu and the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa read the two Scripture readings. Intercessory prayers were led by Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo, Provost of the College of Education.
In an address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, who commiserated with the bereaved families, stressed the need for Christian and Muslim communities to be tolerant with each other, adding that it was important to continue to coexist in an atmosphere of peace and respect for each other, to advance the ideals of the University and also to make the University of Ghana a better community.
The Roll of Departed Members was read out by representatives from UTAG, FUSSAG, TEWU after which a minute silence was observed in their honour.
Pictures from Sunday
The University of Ghana community was joined by family members and friends of the departed in the service and prayers. The officiating clergy was Reverend Dr. Abamfo O. Atiemo, Chairman of the Chaplaincy Board. Also present were the Rev. Prof. Cephas N. Omenyo, Ag. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, ORID, and Moderator-elect of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Father William Apprey, Priest at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Legon Campus. The University of Ghana Jubilee Choir and the Department of Music Choir, led by Mr. Amakye Boateng of the Department of Music, rendered hymns at the Service.
Remembrance Day, formerly dubbed All Souls’ Day, is an inter-faith Service which grew out of the service held in memory of the late Chancellor of the University, Oyeeman Wereko Ampem II held in March 2006. As the character of All Souls’ Day Service was inter-faith, Muslim Prayers were incorporated into the Service in the past years. However since, 2010, there was a departure from previous years, with two days being set aside to remember departed members – one by the Muslim community which takes place on the first Friday of November and the other on the first Sunday of November, for the Christian Service.
Thus Remembrance Day provides the opportunity for all members of the University community to remember their colleagues who departed this world during the academic year. The Chaplaincy Board collaborates with the Public Affairs Directorate to plan and organize Remembrance Day for both Muslim and Christian members of the community.
The offertory taken at the Christian Service has so far gone to support needy students registered with the University Student Financial Aid Office.
