University of Ghana and HFC Bank Ltd Sign MOU for the Beautification and Soft Landscaping of UG Quadrangle and JB Danquah Avenue

Mr. Anthony Jordan (Ag. MD. of HFC Bank Ltd. and Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu Vice Chancellor displaying copies of the signed agreement)

The University of Ghana and HFC Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide support in the beautification and soft landscaping of Recreational Quadrangle and J.B. Danquah Avenue of the University.

In brief remarks during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu who signed on behalf of the University, noted that his vision of greening the University goes way back to 2006 when as the Secretary of University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) he submitted a proposal to University Management to consider enhancing the University landscape and increase the plant population density on the University of Ghana campus.

He said this vision clearly became his topmost priority when he was inducted into office.  Upon discussion with two competitive banks of which HFC Bank was part over the months, HFC Bank showed much readiness to bringing the project into fruition. He further touched on the importance of having a green environment as such environments tend to provide health and healing benefits to its inhabitants, in addition to the beautiful landscape it provides, which he said makes majority of the top universities abroad attractive.  He expressed hope that the model for making Ghana a cleaner country would come from the University of Ghana.

 

The design of the project being displayed during the ceremony

The Acting Managing Director of HFC Bank Limited, Mr. Anthony Jordan, who signed on behalf of HFC Bank said that the initiative to adapt a more holistic approach to supporting the university, started in 2016 when management of the HFC Bank, had a discussion with the leadership of the University. According to him, the proposal on the beautification project of selected boulevards was in line with one of their Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) objectives which is creating awareness of a cleaner Ghana. He congratulated the University for the serene environment and orderliness and also expressed hope of building and nurturing a blossoming relationship with the University.

Giving a brief background to the partnership, Dr. Benjamin D. Ofori, Co-Chair of the Green Team Project said it began when the Vice-Chancellor introduced a broad vision of “Greening of the University”, which falls in line with the Strategic Plan of the University. According to him, Greening of the University seeks to increase the greening of the campus through the planting of grasses and trees, as well as implementing environmental sanitization such as cleanliness and good waste disposal practices led by students and their leaders.

He further expressed hope that the University would be counted among the over 100 universities that form Global Universities Partnership for Environment and Sustainability (GUPES).

He extended appreciation to his Co-Chair, Prof. Chris Gordon, the Vice-Chancellor and the immediate past Managing Director of HFC, Mr. Robert Le Hunte for the diverse roles played.

The Director of the Physical Development and Municipal Services (PDMSD), Mr. Charles Kofinti later made a presentation on the blueprint of the project, noting that the concept included pedestrian walkways, lawns, rock garden and advertising space.

The ceremony was witnessed by the Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, Director of Finance, Mr. Richard O. Boapea, Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Sports Directorate, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, Head of Legal Office, Ms. Akyaa Afreh Arhin, Rev. Dr. George Ossom-Batsa,  Department of Religions.  The team from the HFC Bank Limited was made up of the General Manager of Retail Banking, Madam Paula Baldwin, Manager of Tema Zone, Mr. Daniel Obeng, Branch Manager of Legon and Adjiringano, Mr. Daniel Adjetey, and Manager for Process and Lending, Mr. Owen Ankrah.

A group photograph after the ceremony

 

 

Please click here for the  speech of Mr. Anthony Jordan