SPEECH DELIVERED BY PROFESSOR V. P. Y. GADZEKPO, FGA, PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DURING THE FOURTH GRADUATION CEREMONY HELD ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2005 AT THE CHRIST TEMPLE, INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL GOSPEL CHURCH, ACCRA
Your Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama
The Chancellor of the Central University College, Dr. Mensa Otabil,
My Lord Chief Justice, George Kingsley Acquah
Honorable Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Osafo Marfo
Honorable Minister of State for Tertiary Education, Ms Elizabeth Ohene,
Members of the Board of Regents
The Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Representing the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Kobina Yankson,
Vice Chancellors, Presidents, Principals and Rectors of both public and private Universities here present
Members of Parliament
Members of the Diplomatic Corp
Members of Convocation
Members of the Clergy
Niimei, Naamei
CUC Alumni here present
Distinguished Invited Guests
Parents
Graduands
Students
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Let me on behalf of the Chancellor, the Board of Regents and the entire Central University College Community welcome all of you to the fourth graduation ceremony of the Central University College. I particularly want to acknowledge the presence of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. We are very honoured and privileged to have you as our guest of honour for this fourth graduation ceremony.
I also want to give a special welcome to My Lord the Chief Justice, Justice George Kingsly Acquah, our guest speaker for this morning’s ceremony. We tried hard to have him last year but it did not work out. We feel very honoured and very happy by your presence, My Lord Chief Justice. Your presence, will serve as an encouragement and motivation to our graduands and students. We are so grateful you could come.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Hon. Minister of Education and Sports; and the Hon Minister of State responsible for tertiary education, Ms Elizabeth Ohene. Ms. Elizabeth Ohene is always there for us. Any time we invite her she makes the time to come. Hon. Ministers, we appreciate your presence.
There are a number of distinguished personalities among us who I would like to acknowledge. We have in our midst ……
Prof. Kobina Yankson, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast
Ms Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Chamber of Mines and a member of the Board of Regents
Mr Semavor, member of the Board of Regents
Mr. Asare Yeboah, member of the Board of Regents
Prof. Dorm-Adzobu, member of the Board of Regents
Rector, Pentecost University College
Principal, Methodist University College
His Excellency the Ambassador of the Royal Netherlands to Ghana etc
Mr. Chancellor, Congregations are occasions when we confer degrees and diplomas on graduating students. It is also the time for the Head of the Institution to give an account of his stewardship during the year. The last time we had a congregation was about eight months ago. The academic board of the University decided that we graduate our students in the same year that they complete all the necessary academic work required for graduation. This is the reason why it appears we are graduating our students early. Our long-term goal is to hold our graduation ceremonies a little earlier in the year than December since our academic year ends in July. We have tried to provide you with a report, which has been put together in a publication called the Annual Report. What I will do now is to try and present the developments that took place in the University over the past year, which have not been captured in the Annual Report.
Mr. Chancellor, the beginning of the academic year saw the taking of office of new Deans elected in May. The School of Theology and the School of Business Management and Administration therefore have new Deans in the persons of Rev. Dr. John Ghartey and Mr. Kofi Baku respectively. It was the first time in the history of the university that Deans were elected into office.
Mr. Chancellor, the University started its academic year in October as usual and about 1194 students were admitted into our School of Theology and Missions; School of Business Management and Administration; and the newly established Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. As a University, we have been conscious of Gender Issues and as a result our student population is dominated by the female gender. This is reflected in the statistics of the students we are about to graduate today. The total number of students that we are graduating this year is 397. This is made up of 224 females (56%) and 173 males (44%). The break down of the number of graduands is as follows:
School of Theology and Missions 22
School of Business Management and Administration 375
The students we are graduating this year are from the following disciplines: BA (Exec Sec) 1, BSc Admin (ACC) 74, BSc. Admin (Agribusiness MGT) 4, BSc Admin (BKF) 74, BSc Admin (MKT) 74, B.Sc. Admin (HRM) 128, B.Sc (Management Studies) 15, BA (Theology) 22 and Dip (HRM) 5. A total of 28 students obtained first class honours.
This is a remarkable achievement over the previous years even though the number of first class is slightly lower than that of last year.
It is our aim as a university to create an opportunity for everyone to acquire a university degree no matter his or her religion, race, colour or age. For this reason the Central University College has three sessions: Morning Session, Evening Session and Weekend Session. The evening and weekend sessions are for those students who work and by the nature of their jobs cannot make time in the mornings. The Evening School is now the most popular of the three sessions. Today’s graduands are from all the sessions. The breakdown is as follows:
Morning Session: 88,
Evening Session: 240 and
Weekend Session: 69 graduands.
Because of the flexibility of our programmes, students of all ages enroll in our university. The age of our students range from as low as 17 to as high as 68. We believe there is no age limit to the acquisition of knowledge. Today, Mr. Chancellor, we are happy to announce that among our graduands is a 68-year-old man who has taken advantage of our flexible system. Mr. Emmanuel Johnson Dei, are you here? Could you please rise and wave? We are so proud of you. We shall give him a special award for his determination and bravery through all odds to finally graduate. We also have among the graduands, a 51 year old man who is graduating with a 1 st class honours degree in Human Resource Management (HRM). Mr. Daniel Addo-Teye, could you please rise and wave? Mr. Addo-Teye was the best student in HRM and he will receive an award this morning. Mr. Chancellor, this is an example of what determination and perseverance can do. I want to salute not only Messrs. Addo-Teye and Dei but also their families that stood by them through thick and thin.
Mr. Chancellor, during the last congregation I mentioned that we had admitted a number of physically challenged students into our university. Among them I said was a visually challenged student. The presence of this student brought a new challenge to our method of teaching. We tried to acquire the requisite equipment for this process. We appealed to organizations, NGOs, philanthropists and concerned citizens to help us develop capacity and provide equipment for this special area. Though this issue was taken up by one of the national dailies, there was no support from anywhere. Inspite of this, Mr. Chancellor, I am proud to announce that among the graduands today is a visually challenged student. Mr. Cephas Torkonoo, could you please rise and wave? It was not easy for both Cephas and the university but we are very happy that Cephas could graduate today against all odds. Our university is very proud of these achievements. We are so happy that we could create the environment for these developments to take place and we are very grateful to the Chancellor and members of the Board of Reagents for their continued encouragement and support.
Mr. Chancellor, Our University prides itself in providing holistic education that is concerned about the students’ academic knowledge, which is closely linked to industry, as well as their spiritual and moral stand.
We believe the students we are graduating today have been well prepared for the job market and they will fit well into any working environment. We also believe that we have given them adequate moral training that will stand the test of time. We have inculcated into them faith, integrity and excellence the basic requirement for success. We are very confident that they will all succeed.
Mr. Chancellor, there has been a debate in the press recently about universities failing the nation. Can we imagine what Ghana would be like without a university? The universities in Ghana have not failed the nation but in my view it is the nation that has failed the universities. There can be many reasons given for this. For university graduates to perform to their maximum they need peace and stability in the country apart from the facilities and funding that must be provided for their training.
The peace and stability that we are enjoying now is in the right direction and in the not too distant future the effect of university graduates on the nation’s development will become obvious. We can only see significant effect of university education on national development if the literacy rate is high. Research has shown that for a fast pace development of any nation, the literacy rate must be high. Any nation with a literacy rate of less that 90% will have difficulty developing. In short development strives in abundant literacy. Ghana as a nation should therefore aim at a literacy rate of over 90%. The emergence of private Universities, such as ours on the scene is an important step to help increase the literacy rate and we are very happy that the government has recognized this and is trying to provide the necessary support for the private universities to perform. Mr. Chancellor, the effort to increase the literacy rate has to start from the basic level and the full implementation of the Free Compulsory and Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) in Ghana is therefore a very important step in the right direction. If this is sustained over a long period of time, our literacy rate will automatically increase, and the result of the effect of university graduates in the nation’s development will be obvious. We at Central University College have equipped our graduands with more than enough knowledge; we have given them training that will enable them perform wherever they find themselves. We have given them leadership and other skills to enable them influence society and bring about change and we have given them moral training to enable them stand up to the difficulties and challenges of the world. All we ask is that the stability and peace that exists now in the country should continue so that our graduands can perform and offer their best when they go into the world.
ACCREDITATION
Mr. Chancellor, The National Accreditation Board has favourably considered our request to have a third faculty. They have subsequently granted us the accreditation for a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which started operation in October of this year. The new faculty has three departments. These are the departments of English, French and Economics. The Faculty is housed in a new facility we acquired and it is next to our main campus. A major renovation to the tune of about 2.9 billion cedis was carried out on the building. We have employed new lecturers into the faculty among whom is a distinguished Professor of French, Professor Kuofie.
We also have the following new programmes accredited in the School of Theology and Missions: BA (Family Counseling), BA (Church Administration) and BA (Christian Education). These new programmes started this academic year. We are waiting for accreditation for the MBA programme, which we believe, will start some time early in the New Year.
Mr. Chancellor, as you are already aware, French is a compulsory subject for all students in Central University College. French is one of the accepted languages one must know if one wants to take up an international job. We strongly feel that we should not deny our students the opportunity to take up such jobs when available. The University has therefore acquired a modern language equipment to be fitted in the newly acquired facility of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The result of this will be an ultra modern French language laboratory, which should be ready before the year ends. The laboratory will help our students with their proficiency in the French language.
AFFILIATION STATUS
Mr. Chancellor, as we all know, Central University College is affiliated to the University of Cape Coast. The Central University College is to be nurtured by them until we can stand on our own feet and be a fully fledged University. This is a requirement of the National Accreditation Board. We have had a wonderful relationship with the University of Cape Coast. They have been very kind and patient with us in many ways. For example despite the short notice we gave to them about this graduation, they managed to approve the results and prepare the certificates for our students to collect today during this ceremony. Our policy has been that we should present students with their certificates on the day of graduation. This could not have been possible if not for the maximum cooperation, attention and support we received from the University of Cape Coast. Our hope is that this cordial relationship will continue even after the attainment of full-fledged university status.
We are indeed grateful to the University of Cape Coast. The Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Kobina Yankson, and the Deputy Register Academic, Mr. Isaac Ohene are both with us here and I would request that they convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to all concerned at the University of Cape Coast.
PERMANENT CAMPUS
Mr. Chancellor, The National Accreditation Board has made it clear that one of the conditions a university college must meet before it can have Presidential chatter and be a full-fledged university is that the university college must have its own premises. In our desire to be a full fledged university, the Central University College has taken steps to achieve this. I am happy to announce, Mr. Chancellor, that the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), parents of Central University College has acquired a 248-acre parcel of land on the Tema – Aflao road just after Dawenya for the permanent university campus. Drawings for the Campus are ready and soon work will start on phase one of the project. We shall endeavour to invite all of you to the sod cutting ceremony when the time comes. We are indeed very grateful to our parents, the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) and the Board of Trustees of the University Development Fund for this wonderful show of commitment. We shall soon submit the details to the National Accreditation Board for them to keep in view.
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Teaching and learning is the order of the day. It is no longer possible to effectively impart knowledge adequately in a classroom situation without the use of ICT. To use ICT effectively and efficiently as a tool in imparting knowledge one would require a broadband connectivity. An easier, cost effective and convenient way of having a broadband connectivity is through the use of VSAT technology. Mr. Chancellor, I am very happy to announce that through a special Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Standard Trust Bank Ghana Limited and Central University College, and through a mutual cooperation between us, we have installed a VSAT system to help improve our ICT needs. This has made it possible for our campuses to communicate with each other and has drastically improved the speed of connectivity on our campus. Standard Trust Bank Ghana Limited, we are indeed grateful for this wonderful show of support.
We have also through our own initiative installed LCD projectors in our large lecture theaters to help with teaching and learning. This has greatly improved our teaching and learning processes in the university.
TEACHING AND LEARNING INNOVATION FUND (TALIF)
Mr. Chancellor, the government of Ghana has set up a fund called the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund, TALIF for short. TALIF is the 3 rd component of Ghana’s Education Sector Project (EdSeP) launched in March 2004. This fund is available to tertiary institutions to improve their teaching and learning skills. The aim of the fund is to help raise the quality of tertiary level teaching and learning activities and help open up greater access to tertiary level academic programmes among others. The government in recognizing the role the private universities are playing in the manpower development of the nation has allocated 2% of the fund to the private universities. Mr. Chancellor, I am happy to announce that the proposal submitted by a staff of the Central University College was favourably considered and received funding to the tune of USD 38,500 from the fund. This has encouraged us to submit more proposals. We have at the last call for proposals submitted two other proposals.
GETFUND
Mr. Chancellor, some time late last year, the Ministry of Education promised that, the private Universities will be provided with vehicles to help with the movement of their students. This they said would come from the GETFund. We received the news with joy and waited patiently for it to be fulfilled. About three weeks ago, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana presented a 63-seater bus to Central University College and other private Universities in fulfillment of this promise. Our university is very grateful for this kind gesture. We see this gesture as a recognition for the contribution private universities such as ours are making towards the human resource development and higher education in the country. We want His Excellency the Vice President to convey our sincere appreciation to His Excellency the President, but like Oliver Twist we want to ask for more. We want to request that the GETFund scholarship be made available to private universities as well so that we can train our academic staff to the highest level. We are aware that the Minister of Education is working on this. We will appreciate it very much if more attention is given to our request.
Mr. Chancellor, the government of Ghana has been considerate to the private university students in terms of financial support and granted them access to the SSNIT loan. Students of the private universities therefore have been benefiting from the SSNIT Loan Scheme. We want to thank the government sincerely for this kind gesture. Mr. Chancellor, private University Students pay far more in terms of school fees than their counterparts in the public universities. For the two groups to receive the same amount towards their education is a bit disturbing. It may be worthwhile for us to take a closer look at the support system and see how best we can help the private students out of their predicament. To help bright but needy students of the Central University College, the Chief Executive Officer of Databank Financial Services Mr. Ken Ofori Atta and his wife Dr. (Mrs) Ofori Attah have set up a scholarship scheme which is awarded to deserving students yearly. Last year we awarded the scholarship to two students. This year four students will benefit from the award. We want to express our gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Ofori Attah for this kind social endeavour. We want to use this forum to appeal to organizations, individuals, philanthropists and others to set up similar financial support schemes for the Central University College students. We believe the Lord will graciously bless such efforts.
NATIONAL FRIDAY WEAR
Mr. Chancellor, some time last year, the government in order to promote made in Ghana Textiles, launched the national Friday wear. The idea is that, Ghanaians at least on Fridays wear Ghanaian designed clothes made with fabrics made in Ghana. This, it was believed would sustain the local textile industry. Even though the spirit of the national Friday wear has gone down, Mr. Chancellor, we the academic and the administrative staff have faithfully kept faith with the national Friday wear. Just last week the Student’s Representative Council (SRC) re-launched the National Friday Wear so that they can join the members of staff in this direction.
ACADEMIC GOWNS
Mr. Chancellor, this is the fourth graduation ceremony of the Central University College. This means that as a university we are 8 years old. This is no mean achievement. Our current student population stands at over 3,000. During the past graduation ceremonies we had to loan academic gowns from our parent university. Last year we ran to our mentor university, the University of Cape Coast to request for academic gowns. They graciously and readily provided them and also did not ask for any payment for them. This year Mr. Chancellor, the Central University College has sewn its own academic gowns. All the gowns being worn by the graduands and convocation today are for the Central University College. We are therefore outdooring the academic gowns for the first time at this ceremony. We think we have done well and deserve commendation for this bold step.
Now let me turn to the graduands. I believe you must be feeling very proud to be products of Central University College. You have acquired both academic and spiritual knowledge. We have also taught you how to apply this knowledge when you get into the world. Your performance in the workplace will determine how deep down this knowledge has gone. We as a University are very proud of you. We expect you to be honest in what ever you do. We also expect you to be truthful. We do not expect you to be corrupt. We expect you to be the candle that lights up the corner wherever you find yourselves. We expect you to be leaders of change. Do not shy away from working in the rural areas. Do not necessarily look for government jobs. We have given you entrepreneurial skills. We have taught you to be creative. If jobs are not coming your way create one for yourselves or come together and create one.
You must not forget the University. We expect you to be in touch with us through the alumni association. We wish you would find ways and means of helping your alma mater. I hope you will take up these challenges and live up to them. The mature students graduating today, we appreciate you very much. We particularly appreciate your patience, understanding and particularly the effect your presence in the university had on the young ones.
Graduands, I wish you well in your future endeavours.
The Lord bless all of you and prosper you in all that you do. May He grant you the peace which the world cannot give. Accept my warmest congratulations.
Let me leave you with the following words of encouragement:
“Put all your trust in the Lord and do not rely on your own understanding. At every step you take keep the Lord in mind And He will direct your path ” Prov. 3: 5 - 6 (The revised English Bible)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mr. Chancellor, we as a university, have found the Chairman and members of the Board of Regents of the University helpful. I want to use this forum to express our sincere appreciation to all of them. I would like to mention Dr. Mensa Otabil for the wonderful interactions and discussions we have had on the university. I cannot forget Mr. Asare-Yeboah who has been of tremendous help when it comes to our physical development matters. He put his expertise at our disposal. We have access to his mobile phone 24 hours. We really appreciate all you have been doing for us Mr. Asare- Yeboah. We want to mention Mr. Felix Semavor. Even though he is an extremely busy man, whenever we made contact with him he would stop all that he was doing and drive to my office to help. We do appreciate you Mr. Semavor. Prof. Clement Dorm–Adzobu, we cannot forget the faithful role you have played in our Appointment and Promotion exercises. You religiously attend all the meetings and some times call to offer words of encouragement. We appreciate you very much. We can not forget Ms Joyce Aryee. You have been an encouragement. You will call to remind us that you are available for any help that we need. Thank you very much Auntie Joyce. Mr. Ofori Adueni, the University lawyer, we cannot forget you. I have called you every day to find out about the state of the property for the permanent campus. You never mind the frequent calls. We appreciate all you do for the University.
Mr. Chancellor, there are a number of organizations and individuals that have sponsored award winners during graduation ceremonies. Mr. Chancellor, you are a good example. You always give an award to the overall best student. The University appreciates this very much. On behalf of the University I would like to thank the following for their support of the awards for the fourth graduation ceremony:
Dr and Mrs. Otabil
EPP Books and Services
Capital O2
Ms Joyce Aryee
Chartered Institute of Marketing ( Ghana)
Megavest Medical Centre
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Dr (Mrs) Fatima Alabo
Mr. Fafa Baku
Challenge Enterprise
Genevieve Gbesemete
Databank Financial Services Ltd
YADCO Ghana Ltd
New Audio Professional System Ltd
Sasebond Company Ltd.
The Association of chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Databank Financial Services
Sarah’s Fabrics
Mr. Chancellor, before I take my seat please permit me to say a word of thanks to the hard working staff of Central University College. They have worked very hard in the past year. The cooperation I have received from all the staff especially the academic staff has been remarkable. I very much appreciate the manner they accepted and elected new deans for the various schools. All staff of CUC AYEKOO!!!
Mr. Chancellor, I am done.
May the Lord bless all of us.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.