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| | Kofi Annan Invested as New Chancellor at Special Congregation |    | | |  ……………. ..Honoree Degrees conferred
His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan was on 11 August 2008, enthroned as the new Chancellor of the University of Ghana at a Special Congregation which took place in the Great Hall of the University. By his investiture, he becomes the second non-head-of-state Chancellor since the University was established 60 years ago.
The colourful ceremony, which had His Excellency Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, President of the Republic of Ghana as special guest of honour, marked the peak in the calendar of activities of the University’s 60th Anniversary celebration. The second part of the programme featured the conferment of honorary degrees on some distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the fields of scholarship, industry and public service.
 Members of Convocation made up of university dons and senior administrators led by the mace bearer processed gracefully into the Great Hall amidst drum appellations, followed thereafter by Council procession. There were high-powered delegations from sister-universities in Ghana and from Benin. Members of the diplomatic corps, ministers of state and parliamentarians, traditional rulers, were among the large crowd that witnessed the special event. Also in attendance were the family, friends as well as well as many well-wishers of the new Chancellor and the honorees.
Declaring the Special Congregation open, the Chairman of Council, Mr. Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, mentioned that although the University of Ghana (originally called the University College of the Gold Coast) was established in 1948 under a scheme that instituted a special relationship between it and the University of London, the eleventh day of August was a significant day for the University as it was on this day in 1961, that the first President of the Republic, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah gave presidential assent to an Act of Parliament which established the free, autonomous and sovereign University of Ghana.
In his opening statement, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. C.N.B. Tagoe paid tribute to the Board of Nominators for the very thorough and painstaking manner they discharged its onerous assignment.
In describing the role of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor referring to some provisions of the University Statutes, explained that as the titular head of the University, the Chancellor who takes precedence over all other members of the University, presides over Congregations and other university ceremonies when he is present.
Prof C.N.B. Tagoe presented a profile of the new Chancellor, who he said, spent most of his working life as an international civil servant, and has since stepping down as Secretary-General of the United Nations, continued to advocate better policies to meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly in Africa.
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He added that His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, who is a Noble Laureate, is President of the Global Humanitarian Forum and is passionate about an agricultural revolution on the continent of Africa.
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Amidst cultural fanfare and drum appellations, the new Chancellor was finally enthroned in a characteristic Ghanaian fashion. He was placed twice in a beautiful kente-clad chair before he final took his seat in the Chancellor’s chair. This Ghanaian cultural rite, performed during the enstoolment of traditional rulers, was done by Professor Emeritus J.H. Kwabena Nketia. An exciting yet solemn ceremony, this was greeted with thunderous applause from the large crowd and drum appellation and cultural performances staged by the Ghana Dance Ensemble of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana., and the Ntahera Cultural Troupe from Koforidua.
In his acceptance address, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan, the new Chancellor, noted that since he stepped down as U.N Secretary-General almost a year and half ago, he had been touched to receive a number of honorary degrees and awards. “ But I have to say, that it is a particularly special feeling to be able to stand here with you today, in the country of my birth, and of which I am so proud, to become Chancellor of this University. |
As I accept the invitation to become Chancellor, I think of the founders of this institution, and of our nation and I challenge us to work together, with the same determination, and with the guidance of our motto: ‘Integri procedamus’, to take our country and Africa forward, and to realize the potential of every African citizen. “he added.
The new Chancellor then signed the Oath of Office, which was witnessed by His Excellency, President Kufuor.
In brief remarks later, President Kufuor noted that the University, as the premier tertiary institution in the country, could rightfully claim to have blazed the trail for the many other universities established in the country since its founding. “We can all attest to the fact that it has successfully discharged its pioneering role admirably and therefore deserves the nation’s unreserved commendations,” he added.
In congratulating the new Chancellor on his investiture, he described His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan as a truly deserving son of the land. President Kufuor acknowledged that he had served the world with distinction, thereby bringing honour to Ghana through his phenomenal achievements. Making reference to the motto of the University, Integri Procedamus, the President was confident that under the wise guidance of the new Chancellor, Legon would achieve greater heights and shine even more as a citadel of excellence and a beacon of hope for Ghana and beyond.
The President also congratulated the honorees whom he observed, were by their honours, entering a hall of fame accessible only to a few and indeed the best.
As a birthday present, the President, on behalf of the government and good people of Ghana, presented an amount of GH¢60 million to the University which would be disbursed over a ten-year period. The President suggested that a quarter of the grant was to be used to endow a Chair for the study of Responsible, Democratic Governance as a necessary basis for sound Economic and Social Development, as well as a part of it, for the establishment of an Institute for the Study of Environment and Sanitation Sciences.
The candidates for honorary degrees were as follows:
Distinguished Scholarship
Lawrence A. Boadi
Gordon R. Woodman
Selena Axelrod Winsnes
Contribution to Tertiary Education
Raymond B. Bening
Contribution to Industry
Kwabena Adjei
Alumni of whom University of Ghana is
especially proud
Theodora Georgina Wood
Mohammed Ibn Chambas
Paul Acquah
Distinguished Contribution to Public Service
Joseph Henry Mensah
Robert Lee
Peter Ala Adjetey
Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu
Docia Naki Kisseih
Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial Lecturers
Mary Robinson
Paul Boateng
James D. Wolfensohn
A minute’s silence was observed in respectful memory of Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey who before his death had accepted the invitation to present himself for the award. The Vice-Chancellor later explained that the University does not confer degrees posthumously.
None of the Aggrey-Fraser-Guggisberg Memorial lecturers were present and as such, at the appropriate time, the University would find an appropriate time in the future to confer their honorary degrees.
Hon. J.H. Mensah, on behalf of the honorees delivered the acceptance speech.
Please click on the links below for the full speeches:
Speeches - Special Congregation 2008
| | | | Date Published: 13/08/2008 | | | |   |
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