Dr. Kwaku Oppong Asante Installed as 20th Hall Master of Akuafo Hall

Dr. Kwaku Oppong Asante, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, has been installed as the 20th Master of Akuafo Hall at a colourful ceremony held at the forecourt of Akuafo Hall.

The blissful ceremony which was officiated by Rev. Prof. Charles Antwi-Bosiako, University Chaplain, commenced with a prayer led by Rev. Dr. Kwaku Boamah, Akuafo Hall Chaplain.

Dr. Oppong Asante in his inaugural speech expressed appreciation to God for the opportunity to honor Him through his service in Akuafo Hall. He was thankful to his family, the planning committee and Management of Akuafo Hall for their support and for putting together an amazing event.

Dr. Oppong Asante, who pledged to continue the good work his predecessors have begun, noted that students’ welfare will be his focal point as a Hall Master.

Outlining his plans for the hall, he indicated that his administration will see to the completion of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Incubator for the Akuafo Hall. “The purpose of the incubator is to stimulate the establishment and growth of students’ own agricultural base start-ups or existing companies through leadership empowerment, entrepreneurship training and business idea generation and innovation…This will bring more agricultural oriented business among our students”, he added.

He complimented the immediate past Hall Master, Prof. Clement Appah for his work done during his tenure and noted that the foundation laid down by Prof. Appah will enable the launch of the entrepreneurship and leadership hub in a few months. “Fortunately, our immediate past Hall Master, Prof. Appah has provided the needed logistics. In a few months, we will bring to you our entrepreneurship and innovation hub”, Dr.Asante stated.

Dr. Oppong Asante added that the hall will institute an academic excellence awards and scholarship scheme “to support brilliant but needy students in the hall, and also make sure that valedictorians and first-class students of the hall are duly recognized”. He appealed to the Hall’s alumni to sponsor some award categories.

As part of efforts to encourage workers to continue putting their best foot forward, the new hall master mentioned that his administration will continue with the best worker awards to help motivate staff. “This scheme will cover all categories of workers in the hall”, he said.

Dr. Oppong also mentioned that the hall will institute a stress relaxation programme that will be organised quarterly to provide an opportunity for members of the hall to “pick up basic but critical skills to help cope with various related stress”.

He urged members of the hall not to relent in approaching him with suggestions and discussions that will help in the developmental agenda of the hall.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who graced the event, in brief remarks congratulated the new Hall Master. She was glad to hear of the programmes outlined for the Hall and the continuation of initiatives started by predecessors. She urged the new hall master to tap into the wisdom and experience of his predecessors when things get tough. Prof. Amfo expressed her confidence in the leadership abilities of Dr. Oppong and assured him of support from the University Management.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

She urged him to hold unto the scripture, 1Timothy 4:12 which says, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”.

Other officers of the Hall namely, Dr. Gladys Nyarko Ansah(Senior Tutor), Dr. George Kodie Frimpong(President, Senior Common Room) and Mr. Samuel Adu-Boateng (President, Junior Common Room- JCR), pledged their support to the new Hall Master.

Delivering the exhortation, Rev. Prof. Charles Antwi-Bosiako charged Dr. Oppong Asante to walk in ways that will cause him to always attract the presence of God. He explained that anyone can have God being with them but not everyone can have the presence of God. “When you do things that please God, you will have his presence with you”, he opined. He encouraged him to constantly walk and deal with people fairly and justly, without any discrimination and make the word of God his yardstick while allowing God’slove to lead and rule.

The bible reading was done by Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Amoatey.

Prof. Clement Appah, the immediate past Hall Master, on behalf of the staff of the Hall, presented a citation in appreciation to the new Hall Master and wished him well in the responsibility bestowed upon him.

There were other presentations made by the wife of the new hall master, and the hall officers.

In attendance were Gramophone Ghana and Fapempong who interspersed the ceremony with melodious ministrations and appellation.

Present at the ceremony were Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs; Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar; Prof. Godfred A. Bokpin, Dean of Student Affairs; Mrs. Lydia Anowa Nyako-Danquah, Director, Academic Affairs; Mrs. Bernice Agudu, Director, Finance Directorate; other Hall Masters and Tutors, Past Hall Masters of Akuafo Hall, Members of the Chaplaincy Board, staff, students and alumni of Akuafo Hall.

Also present at the ceremony was the Akuapem Gyasehene and Chief of Amanokrom,  Nana Osim Kwatia II, Patron of the traditional Council of Akuafo Hall; family and friends of the new hall master and members of the University community.

A group photo after the ceremony