UG Confers Degrees on Over 15,000 Graduates at February 2025 Congregation Ceremonies
The University of Ghana has successfully held its February 2025 Congregation Ceremonies, celebrating the achievements of over 15, 000 graduates across the four colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.
The 17 sessions, conducted over 7 days, saw the conferment of degrees to 123 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates, 3,444 Masters degree recipients, 11,067 undergraduate students and 1,116 diploma holders. The ceremony brought together faculty, dignitaries, families, and well-wishers to honor the perseverance and dedication of the graduating class.
The sessions were held concurrently at the Great Hall and the Cedi Conference Centre at the Department of Economics.
Chancellor’s Remarks
The first session was presided over by the Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, with the other 16 sessions on her behalf by some members of the University Council.
In her declaration of purpose, Mrs. Chinery-Hese congratulated the graduates and underscored the importance of their education.
“You have been well-equipped to make a profound impact on society,” she said, emphasising the University’s commitment to student-centered learning, technology integration, and interdisciplinary research. She proceeded to officially constitute the assembly for the conferment of degrees.
VC’s Remarks
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her address highlighted the University’s continued growth and success. She reaffirmed Management’s commitment to academic excellence, research and student welfare, noting key achievements over the past year.
“It is with great pride that I stand before you today to celebrate your remarkable accomplishments,” she said. “As we continue to make strides towards achieving our strategic priorities, I am delighted to share some of the transformative developments that have taken place over the past year, which have enriched the student experience and further cemented our place as a leader in higher education in Africa,” she added.
Professor Amfo reiterated the University’s impressive standing in the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa rankings, where UG secured first place in West Africa, first place in Ghana and fifth place in Sub-Saharan Africa.
She also provided an update on the University’s Strategic Plan (2024-2029), which focuses on Transformative Student Experience, Impactful Research, Commitment to Faculty and Staff, Engagement and Partnerships as well as Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship.
She mentioned the significant investments made in student accommodation, IT infrastructure, and research initiatives.
‘‘Between January and November 2024, the Research and Innovation Directorate successfully executed 172 research grant contracts valued at approximately $17 million. This demonstrates not only the excellent work being done by our academic community, but also the trust that global partners have in our work,’ Prof. Amfo noted
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the University's strong commitment to diversity, noting that for the 2024/2025 academic year, 17,473 undergraduate students were admitted comprising 53.4% females and 46.6% males and 4,523 graduate students enrolled, with 47.51% being female and 52.49% male.
"Your graduation today is a reflection of your hard work, perseverance, and dedication. As you step into the world, remember that you are not only representatives of the University of Ghana, but also of the values that we hold dear: excellence, integrity and service to society,” she concluded.
The Vice-Chancellor was also represented by the two Pro-VCs, Prof. Gordon Awandare (ASA) and Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante (RID) at some of the sessions.
Guest Speakers
All seventeen sessions had guest speakers chosen for their various achievements to inspire the graduands. The guest speakers were Mr. Vish Ashiagbor, Senior Partner for PwC; Mr. Samuel Ocran, Group CEO Star Assurance Group; Mrs. Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame, Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Others were Dr. Albert Frimpong, State Attorney at the Office of the Attorney General; Mrs. Ellen Affam-Dadzie, CEO of With God Cerebral Palsy Ghana; Mr. Kwame Agyapong Oppong, Director of FinTech and Innovation at Bank of Ghana; Ms. Ama Asantewa Diaka, multifaceted storyteller; Ms. Valerie Labi, Co-Founder of Wahu Mobility.
In addition, Dr. Juliette Twumasi-Anokye, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority; Dr. Samuel Senyo Okae, Chief Information Security Officer at the Bank of Ghana; Ing. Dr. Mrs. Enyonam Kpekpena, IT Project Delivery Manager at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG); and Dr. Padi Ayertey, CEO and Medical Director of Elimmas Health also spoke at respective sessions.
Taking turns to deliver their motivational speeches during the various sessions, these notable figures recounted their life experiences. They served as living testimonies to the graduating class as they are unleashed to pursue various life endeavors. The careful selection of congregation speakers including differently abled personalities demonstrates the University’s inclusive agenda.
Valedictory Speeches
Valedictory speeches were also delivered by outstanding graduands of the graduating classes with themes centered on innovation and entrepreneurship, financial responsibility and career development and the role of scientific research in nation-building.
Notable among them was Ephraim Ayeh Oracca-Tetteh, a visually impaired student from the College of Humanities who graduated with an outstanding perfect score of 4.0 final grade point average (FGPA).
The ceremonies were livened with exciting performances from the Ghana Dance Ensemble at the Institute of African Studies as well as the Wind Ensemble and Dr. Alfred Patrick Addaquay from the Department of Music, School of Performing Arts and the UG Jubilee Choir.
In earlier introductory remarks, Registrar Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah saluted the graduating class for making it thus far.
Dissolving the congregation ceremonies, the Chancellor urged the graduates to be worthy ambassadors of their alma mater. She encouraged them to maintain links with the University and be active members of the UG Alumni Association.
‘Remember it’s not what you are given but what you make out of what you are given. We expect that the knowledge you have acquired will be used to help our dear country Ghana to resolve the many challenges that we face,’ she added.
All the ceremonies were streamed live on the University’s YouTube and Facebook pages and also had sign language interpreters in all sessions from the Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy.