The University of Ghana has held a Congregation ceremony for students of the College of Education who had successfully completed their programmes in the 2017/2018 academic year. A total of 1409 students made up of 54 graduate students, 1147 undergraduates and 208 Diploma students graduated on Saturday, April 28, 2018.
In a brief remark by the Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, she indicated that the graduands were the first batch of two cohort of students admitted in January instead of the usual September, hence, completed their degree programmes in January this year. She added that this year marked the 70th anniversary of the University, founded in August 1948 as the University College of Gold Coast affiliated to the University of London until 1961 when it attained the status of a fully-fledged University and the name accordingly revised.
Prof. Yaw Twumasi, Chairman of Council acting on behalf of the Chancellor, H. E. Mr. Kofi Annan extended a warm welcome to all gathered and hearty congratulations to the graduands. In his remarks, he mentioned that since the introduction of the collegiate system of governance, Congregations have been on College basis, with this, dedicated to the College of Education. He finally declared the Congregation duly constituted to confer degrees.
Prof. Yaw Twumasi, Chairman of Council
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Kwame Offei delivered the Vice-Chancellor’s address. In his address, he congratulated all graduands, particularly, the first batch of student to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing under the Distance Education Programme. In his address, he expressed appreciation to the chairpersons and members of the strategic teams formed to champion the strategic objectives of the University and ensure that the University achieves its vision of becoming a world class research intensive University.
According to him, a total of 14129 students were admitted at the Main campus, Accra City Campus, Korlebu Campus and through Distance Education during the 2017/2018 academic year. In the area of research, he mentioned that a total of 8 grants valued at Gh₵ 244,102 were awarded to faculty members. Professor Kwame Offei further indicated that the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) had recently selected for support, a consortium proposal to establish an Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University. With regards to physical developments, Professor Offei enumerated a number of on-going projects which included the multi-purpose building for the School of Performing Arts and the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement Project, the New Block for the School of Pharmacy, expansion projects for the Department of Earth Sciences and buildings to house each of the four Colleges. He expressed appreciation to both local and foreign partners for funding various projects of the University.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Kwame Offei
Ms. Yolanda Zoleka Cuba, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Her speech was centered on three themes: the need to be extraordinary, seizing the moments and being deliberate about becoming successful. Ms. Cuba, who was adjudged in 2011 by Forbes Magazine as one of the 20 youngest powerful women in Africa, admonished graduands to grasp all opportunities that they come across as they graduate from this prestigious University.
Ms. Yolanda Zoleka Cuba, Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana
In the course of the ceremony, three outstanding graduating students were given academic awards; Mr. Samuel Obeng-Gyan picked the Mr. Wisdom Sedofia Korsinah Award for the Best Graduating student in BSc. Administration in the Distance Education Programme while Mr. Felix Nyarko-Pong prize for the Best Graduating Bachelor of Arts student in the Distance Education Programme went to Mr. Benjamin Asare Brako. The Professor Cephas Omenyo Prize for the Best Graduating Distance Education Student was awarded to Mr. Gideon A. Atanuriba, a nursing student of the Tamale Regional Learning Centre. Mr. Gideon A. Atanuriba who also presented the valedictory address on behalf of the graduands recounted how challenging it was to combine academic work with professional and social roles. He congratulated his fellow graduands for their determination to successfully complete their respective programmes of study and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Mr. Gideon A. Atanuriba presenting the valedictory address
Cross Section of Graduands at the ceremony
Please click on the options below for speeches, videos and photographs:
2018 College of Education Congregation Brochure
Speech of Guest Speaker - Ms. Yolanda Cuba
Video of 2018 College of Education Congregation Ceremony
