A group picture of officials after the ceremony
The 70th Annual New Year School and Conference has opened at a colourful ceremony which took place at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, presided over by the Chairman of Council, Prof. Yaw Twumasi.
This year’s School and Conference is under the theme, “Building Strong Institutions for Democratic Consolidation in Ghana, and organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE) under the College of Education, University of Ghana.
Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, Registrar introducing the Chairman for the Occasion
In his introductory remarks, Prof. Yaw Twumasi who chaired the opening ceremony noted that the New Year School has over the decades, provided the platform to discuss and provide solutions on pertinent issues that affect the nation and has also contributed immensely to the growth of democracy in the country.
The growth of democracy according to Prof. Yaw Twumasi is dependent on well-established structures and institutions and is responsive to the needs of the people. He also added that, democracy did not strife in an environment of ignorance and poverty hence the onus lies upon government to pursue policies that will lead to a just and fair society.
Prof. Yaw Twumasi also advocated for stronger institutions that will promote peace, a strong civil service and media to ensure accountability of governance and political and civil liberty to ensure participation and inclusiveness
Prof. Yaw Twumasi, Chairman of Council
Professor Michael Ayitey Tagoe, Acting Provost, College of Education and Dean of School of Continuing and Distance Education in his remarks said democratic institutions are critical to the consolidation of democracy and sustainable development. According to him, despite the fact that Ghana's Fourth Republic had been stable and appears to increase democracy, it still makes room for numerous inconspicuous dangers to the nation's democracy.
Prof. Tagoe revealed that the theme for the conference was to help achieve the five targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16 and called on all participants and discussants to passionately deal with the conference topics to help promote rule of law and ensure justice for all, reduce violence, reduce corruption, promote effective accountability and promote participation and inclusiveness.
He also bemoaned the widespread of corruption in the nation which he said weakened the sanctity of democratic consolidation and erodes the basis of trust in political leadership and institutions. Prof. Tagoe added that a country could not have strong institutions when those who were supposed to enforce the regulations were themselves corrupt.
He also called on policy makers to reflect on the education of adults to help promote inclusiveness and aid in the better safeguard of the constitution.
Professor Michael Ayitey Tagoe, Ag. Provost, College of Education
Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs in delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu opined that, the Annual New Year School was a source of pride for the University as it provides an opportunity for individuals to partake in policy making discussions in the country. He said this year’s theme would address basic challenges confronting the country’s democracy and weak institutions that have contributed to the draining of the nation’s resources which could be have been used to improve public services.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, weak institutions lead to the erosion of democracy and adversely affect the growth of the country and at times leads to the cessation of democracy. In explaining how to build strong institutions, he stated that, building strong institutions came with challenges as many people would resist change, because it will make them uncomfortable or take away some of the privileges they had.
The Vice Chancellor said the enforcement of rules and regulations and its compliance ought to be some of the strategies employed to bring about change and hope to the country. He further advocated for stronger institutions headed by a new crop of leaders who are brave and would apply the rules and regulations without fear or favour. These leaders he added should be in the position to challenge the status quo because they themselves must live above reproach,” he added.
Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs
In delivering the keynote address, Prof. Atsu Aryee of the Political Science Department said strong institutions and democratic consolidation were mutually reinforcing. He said institutions should not only be seen as entities or structures but also as rules, enforcement mechanisms and norms.
Prof. Atsu Ayee opined that building strong institutions for democratic consolidation entails reconstruction the Ghanaian state and society to internalize the values of developmental governance capacity. Additionally, he called for attitudinal and behavioural change as he explained that, constitutional, legal and institutional reforms alone will not build strong institutions.
Prof. Atsu Ayee, delivering the Keynote Address
Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, in officially opening the School called for structural and institutional reforms to help make governance inclusive and accountable. He indicated that the country had more to do in establishing gender equality and called for the establishment of quotas to improve the participation of women in the democracy of the nation. He presented a well-researched paper on the theme to be provided to participants for the discourse during the sessions.
Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament
His Lordship Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey, Justice of the Supreme Court represented Her Ladyship the Chief Justice at the opening ceremony. In attendance were some members of the University Council, College Advisory Boards, government officials, parliamentary leadership, parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, religious and traditional leaders, alumni and friends of the University.
The 70th Annual New Year School and Conference was also partly supported by some corporate organisations, namely Graphic Communications Group, Vodafone, Kosmos Energy.
Mrs. Stella Amoa, Director of Public Affairs, giving the vote of thanks
A cross section of the audience present at the ceremony
The four-day event which takes place from January 14th -17th will see lively discourse on topics such as Effective Legislative Oversight for Countervailing Authority, Beyond Election Machines, The Judiciary and Democratic Consolidation and Strengthening Anti-Corruption State Institutions in Ghana, Investigative Journalism, Corruption and Sustainable Development, Political Vigilantism and Ghana’s Democracy, Building a Stronger Civil Society for Effective Accountability, Improving the Electoral Process for Democratic consolidation and 30 Years of Decentralisation, Challenges and Prospects.
Please click here to access the Keynote Address for Monday, January 14, 2019.
Please find below links to access videos from the daily sessions
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Panel Discussion Day 1
Panel Discussion – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (14/01/2019)
Topic: Effective Legislative Oversight for Countervailing Authority
Speakers: Honourable Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu (Majority Leader, Parliament of Ghana)
Honourable Haruna Iddrisu (Minority Leader, Parliament of Ghana)
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/D5EBhbMIUIo
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Lecture Day 1
Lecture 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm (14/01/2019)
Topic: Beyond Election Machines: Building Stronger Political Parties for Democratic Consolidation
Speaker: Professor Ransford Gyampo, Director – Centre for European Studies, UG.
Discussant: Mr. Peter Mac Manu – Board Chairman, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/rvNUiJ5FAhw
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Panel Discussion Day 2
Morning 9:00 am
Topic: The Judiciary and Democratic Consolidation
Speakers: Mr. Kofi Abotsi - Legal Practitioner, Accra
Her Ladyship Justice Sophia O.A. Adinyira - Justice of the Supreme Court Judicial Service
Chairman: Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu: University of Ghana Law School
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/iV4GxC4Bq1g
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Lecture Day 2
Morning 11:15 am
Topic: Strengthening Anti-Corruption State Institutions in Ghana
Speaker: Mr. Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal - Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)
Discussant: Mr Vitus Azeem - Former Executive Director, Ghana Integrity Initiative.
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/wRRwRa8KwrQ
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Lecture Day 2
Afternoon 2:00 pm
Topic: Investigative Journalism, Corruption and Sustainable Development.
Speaker: Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo - Dean, School of Information & Communication Studies, UG
Discussant: Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh - Chairman, National Media Commission
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/4hsC6hwRb1M
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Panel Discussion Day 3
Morning 9:10 am (16/1/2019)
Topic: Political Vigilantism and Ghana's Democracy
Panelists:
Dr Emmanuel Kwesi Aning - Director: Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research (FAAR) Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC)
Mr Ivor Greenstreet - Lawyer, Former CPP General Secretary, 2016 Flag-bearer CPP
Chairman:
Mr Sidney Casely-Hayford - The New Ghanaian, McCarthy Hill
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/_n2SPiYfGrk
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Panel Discussion Day 3
Afternoon 2:30 pm (16/1/2019)
Topic: Building a Stronger Civil Society for Effective Accountability
Panelists:
Mr Ace Anan Ankomah - Managing Partner, Bentsil-Enchil, Lesta and Ankomah
Miss Josephine Nkrumah - Chairperson, National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE)
Chairman: Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh - Executive Director, Centre for Democratic Development (CDD)
Streaming Link : https://youtu.be/Aag9aB_AVQ4
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Lecture Day 4
Morning 9:00 am (17/1/2019)
Topic: Improving the Electoral Process for Democratic Consolidation
Speaker: Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan - Former Chairman, Electoral Commission
Discussant: Dr Emmanuel Akwetey - Executive Director, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG)
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/LXjrY8-AoLU
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Panel Discussion Day 4
Morning 11:30am (17/1/2019)
Topic: 30 years of Decentralisation: Challenges and Prospects
Speakers:
Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur - Head, Local Government Service
Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye - Consultant and former Director, Institute of Local Government Studies
Dr. Eric Oduro Osae - Dean of Studies and Research, Institute of Local Government Studies
Chairperson: Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama - Minister, Local Government & Rural Development
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/UnU_GPI8sj0
70th Annual New Year School and Conference - Open Forum Day 4 Afternoon
Open Forum - Moderator:
Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama - Minister, Local Government & Rural Development
Closing Ceremony
Chairperson: Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei - Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), UG
Streaming Link: https://youtu.be/f9lJ6SFinTI
Please click here for the 70th ANYSC Brochure
Please click here for a photo gallery of the Opening Ceremony
