1,236 Graduate at UG August 2024 Congregation Ceremonies

The University of Ghana has held two congregation ceremonies for one thousand, two hundred and thirty-six (1,236) students who successfully completed their respective programmes of study during the 2023/2024 academic year.

The ceremonies, saw the conferment of degrees to ninety-two (92) PhDs, as well as two hundred and fifty-three (253) undergraduate and post-first-degree students from the University of Ghana School of Law and students from University of Ghana Medical Schoolduring the morning session. Eight hundred and ninety-one (891) from various Masters programmes graduated at the afternoon session. 

The ceremonies were presided over by Prof. Nana Akua Anyidoho and Ms. Doris Adwoa Kisiwa Ansah, members of the University Council, who represented the Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse. 

In the Chancellor’s introductory remarks, while declaring Congregation constituted for the conferment of degrees, she applauded Management for the successful launch of the recent 2024-2029 Strategic Plan which prioritises cultivating an environment that nurtures the personal growth and academic excellence of every student. She pledged her support in this regard to propel students to excel in the increasingly complex and innovative global society. 

Congratulating the graduands, the Chancellor praised the graduating class for their hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment to their academic work. 

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo was represented by Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, during the morning session, and Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development, during the afternoon session.   In the address read on Prof. Amfo’s behalf to Congregation, she highlighted developments within the University during the past academic year.

 Reiterating the launch of the new Strategic Plan and the outdooring of three critical documents of the University, she emphasised the Plan’s dedication to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the University of Ghana remains at the forefront of academic and research excellence on the global stage. Prof. Amfo pointed to the Strategic Plan’s focus on achieving global impact through innovative research, teaching and learning, using a technology-driven and people-centred approach over the next five years. Elucidating the new Strategic Plan’s five strategic pillars — Transformative Student Experience; Impactful Research; Commitment to our Faculty and Staff; Engagement and Partnerships and Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship, the Vice-Chancellor seized the moment to justify the University’s decision to review its Statutes to align them with current and emerging national and university-level policies and laws. 

Prof. Amfo mentioned that the University has introduced Electronic Access at Traditional Halls and some units as part of efforts to safeguard the security and safety of students, staff and properties.  She noted that with the approval of the University Council on the establishment of a Safety and Security Services Directorate, it is expected that when the Directorate takes off fully later this year, the security and safety of all members of the University community, as well as personal and University properties, will be much improved.

In her speech, Prof. Amfo reported on innovative projects aimed at unearthing the creative and entrepreneurial potential of students and equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. “In December 2023, ORID received a grant of GHS200,000.00 from the KGL Foundation to undertake a project titled “Unleashing Youth Creative Potential for Job Creation through Arts”, also referred to as the ARTIFY project. The project aims to provide an enabling environment for talented students and youth from three underserved communities around UG to nurture their artistic skills to pursue art as a business”,she stated.

The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the on-Campus UG student Startups Pilot Initiative, which has enabled, Feathery Care, Fihankra Comtech Ltd and Agrimercarb, to advance their partnerships with the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID) to test their business ideas and products at the University.

In addition, she stated that Imperial College London (ICL) and ORID have renewed their three-year partnership to deliver the third edition of the Student Enterprise Support Programme, with funding of GBP136,000.00 (GHS 2,080,800.00) from ICL. “The partnership seeks to strengthen the UG startup ecosystem and support students in transforming their ideas into viable ventures that address community, national and global challenges. A new dimension of the partnership is the development of the UG Makerspace, which will support the practical component of the programme”, she clarified.

While congratulating the graduating class, the Vice-Chancellor said, “As we celebrate your accomplishments, we look forward to the positive impact you will make in your respective fields. Congratulations once again and best wishes for the next phase of your lives”.

Valedictory speeches were also delivered by outstanding graduands of the various graduating classes. 

 and Ms. Gifty Owusu delivered speeches on behalf of the School of Graduate Studies, while Miss Dion Akosua Kassim was the valedictorian from the School of Law cohort. 

As is customary at all UG Graduation ceremonies, both sessions had guest speakers chosen for their various achievements to encourage the graduands. The guest speakers were Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Director-General/ CEO of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Mrs. Shirley Tony-Kum, Corporate Communications Manager, Vivo Energy Ghana. 

They both urged the new graduates to give back to their society, be a voice for justice and encouraged them to adhere to the ethical standards of their chosen professions in order to make an impact in their society.

Earlier, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar, welcomed all present and extended Management’s heart-felt congratulations to the graduating class of 2024 for achieving a remarkable feat.

Dissolving the congregation ceremonies, the members of the University Council who represented the Chancellor at both sessions expressed appreciation to all families and friends of the graduates for their tremendous support. The graduates were charged to allow the University’s values of respect, integrity, commitment and loyalty to guide them. “Keep striving, keep thriving, keep shining, because your success is our joy and pride,” the speech read.

The Chancellor shared her anticipation of seeing the graduates make a difference with the knowledge gained and reminded them to maintain a strong connection with the University as devoted alumni.

The ceremonies were streamed live on the University’s YouTube and Facebook handles as well as on Radio Univers.

Please click here for the August 2024 Congregation Brochure.

Please click here for a replay of the morning session.

Please click here for a replay of the afternoon session.