The Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Awards Ceremony for the 2020/2021 academic year has been held to recognise the excellence and accomplishments of graduating students of the 2020/2021 academic year, as well as some continuing students. This marks the first physical ceremony since the Covid-19 pandemic placed restrictions on physical meetings a couple of years ago.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her opening remarks expressed joy in the in-person ceremony being held this year, as compared to last year’s ceremony which was virtual due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Prof. Amfo gladly announced that six new sponsors from the Reha Medical Group; Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Department of Child Health Consultants; Supra Pharma Limited; the Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana; the family of the late Dr. William Herbert L. Allsop and the family of the late Professor Kwadwo Rodrigues had joined in with ten new academic prizes across the Sciences and the Humanities. Welcoming the new sponsors, Prof. Amfo expressed hope in the new relationship spanning for a long term. She encouraged other corporate bodies and individuals to institute academic prizes at the University of Ghana to promote excellence in higher education.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo delivering her opening remarks
Prof. Amfo mentioned that the 2020/21 academic awards ceremony recorded sponsorship for 134 awards presented to 24 continuing students and 81 members of the 2020/2021 graduating class, out of which 15 are post-graduate students. “Out of this number, there are a total of sixty-three (63) females and fifty-eight (58) males. Notable among the awards are the University of Ghana awards for the Male and Female Sports Personalities, the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for the Best Graduating Students admitted under the University of Ghana Admission Policy for Less-Endowed Schools and the award for the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation’’, she added. Prof. Amfo congratulated the awardees and urged them to continually distinguish themselves in any endeavour they are engaged in. “I urge you all to make the University proud wherever you find yourselves by exhibiting the values of the University (Integrity, Commitment, Respect and Loyalty)’’, she added. She further encouraged the continuing students to be relentless in pursuing excellence. Prof. Amfo also expressed gratitude to all Faculty Members and Administrators for their contributions and to members of the Board of Trustees for Academic Prizes Fund for their dedication to the task of selecting award winners and organising the ceremony.
In an earlier statement delivered by the Registrar to introduce the purpose of the gathering, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah indicated that with the ease in the Covid-19 restrictions, the University Management decided to hold an in-person ceremony to provide the opportunity for award winners and sponsors to meet and socialise, while observing the Covid-19 Protocols. Mrs. Agyei-Mensah thanked the sponsors for their continuous support in making the annual awards possible. “Over the years, it has been possible for the University to award deserving students as a result of the continuous support of our valued sponsors who have bought into the University’s vision of becoming a world-class research-intensive University’’, she stated.
The Registrar welcomed the new sponsors on board and expressed confidence that their relationship with the University will last long. She encouraged other corporate bodies and individuals to come on board to institute awards for deserving students. She noted that some of the awards have been named after specific sponsors or important personalities who have made major contributions in their fields of endeavour and others have been named after corporate bodies that have been able to gain a competitive advantage in the business world, whilst the last category are the awards named after loved ones or in the names of the respective sponsors. Mrs. Agyei-Mensah encouraged the award winners to take the opportunity to get to know their sponsors, extend appreciation to them and exchange contact details.
Justice Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, in a speech delivered on behalf of the sponsors, expressed delight in the opportunity to witness the ceremony. She was thankful to the Management of the University of Ghana for the opportunity to have sponsors honour the distinct achievements of the students. Prof. Mensa-Bonsu further congratulated the Chancellor, Council of the University, the Academic Board and College Academic Boards for putting out human resources of the finest quality. She urged them not to delay in getting to sponsors to replenish funds when the need be. “Please do not wait until all the money for an award runs out before alerting the sponsor. Do give sponsors time and space to replenish the fund because we know good outlets for investments are few, so that the award can be kept going for a long time’’, she stated.
Justice Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu delivering a speech on behalf behalf of the sponsors
Prof. Mensa-Bonsu entreated the awardees not to forget to spare a thought in showing gratitude to those who have thought it fit to sponsor prizes so that their achievements can be recognised. She urged the awardees not to determine the worth of the prize by its monetary value or other material attachments, but by the fact that it remains a perpetual symbol of the hard work they have put in to earn the recognition. “Largely on account of the poverty of our economic circumstances, some people undervalue prizes if they do not come with plenty of money. But that is to completely miss the point. After today, this award will acquire a privileged position on your CV or resume, to forever proclaim you as a top-class achiever. Therefore, treasure this event tonight because it is a life-defining moment for you, from now on”, she added.
Hailing the award winners for their achievements and strength displayed amidst the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Prof. Mensa-Bonsu noted that the winners have been endowed with so many abilities, thus, the need to owe up to a duty to put those abilities to the service of the country. “No one will do it for you, as one sage puts it, if not you, then who? If not now, then when?”, she added. She challenged them to stand up and contribute to progress and never think they have nothing to offer. “Stop thinking of yourself as inferior and not good enough and start thinking of yourself as good enough to take on the competition anywhere. I am not in any doubt that you are among the best anywhere in the world, and capable of doing whatever you set on your heart to achieve”, she added.
Prof. Mensa-Bonsu appreciated all parents and caretakers for their moral support and encouragement towards their wards. She encouraged them never to dwindle in love for their children, whether in good times or bad times.
One of the awardees, Ms. Sabrina Tenkorang, moved the vote of thanks with gratitude and appreciation to Management of the University and the sponsors for acknowledging their efforts. She thanked all lecturers for their efforts and time spent to impart knowledge. Ms. Tenkorang charged all award winners to ensure that their actions outside the walls of the University brings honour to the University of Ghana.
Sabrina Tenkorang, Josephine Nkansah and Solomon Sowah Odoi won multiple awards in various categories during the ceremony.
Sabrina Tenkorang received six awards during the ceremony
The ceremony was interspersed with a dance performance by the Ghana Dance Ensemble and Seperewa performance to acclaim the awardees and their sponsors.
In attendance were the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Felix Asante; Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Daniel Ofori; Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman; Deans, Directors, College Secretaries, Heads of Department and staff.
Please click on the link to access the video for the ceremony
Click here to access details of the multiple award winners
