The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art lecture building at the University of Ghana financed by GCB Bank Limited.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey
Prof. Aryeetey described the facility as perhaps the largest building at the University in terms of seating capacity, adding that it would drastically reduce the period used for University examinations. In addition, for University functions such as Congregation ceremonies and other official events. The Vice Chancellor noted that the facility would also be used to host regional and international research conferences and workshops, which he said was in line with achieving the University’s vision to focus more on research.
He lauded Management and staff of GCB Bank Ltd. for the hard work and success over the years, particularly demonstrating in practical terms, their corporate social responsibility. He acknowledged the support of past Managing Directors of the Bank, Mrs. Matilda Obeng-Ansong, Mr. Lawrence Adu-Mante and Mr. Simon Dornoo, who he said laid the foundations for the project and who played significant roles in ensuring the project was carried through. Even though the project faced a few challenges in implementation, the Vice Chancellor was happy that the project had finally been completed. He expressed appreciation to the construction company, Consar Ltd. and the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate for their fruitful collaboration and dedication to quality work.
Acting Managing Director of GCB Bank, Mr. Samuel Sarpong
The Acting Managing Director of GCB Bank ltd., Mr. Samuel Sarpong, recounted the collaboration between the Bank and the University of Ghana over the years and noted that the Bank was happy to be associated with the development history of the University. He indicated that the completion of the building project was a testament to strong partnership between the Bank and the University. He indicated that the support to the University of Ghana with the 2000 seating capacity lecture building stems from the fact that the University has and continues to train significant numbers of the country’s workforce.
Mr. Sarpong added that the Bank would put together digital banking offices to the edifice to make it a multi-purpose facility and thus, also giving a true meaning to GCB’s corporate social responsibility policy implementation. While commending the University Management for their commitment to knowledge enhancement at the University, he emphasized that the strong bond of friendship between the two institutions would continue to grow in the ensuing years.
Mr. Enoch Amartey, Director of Academic Affairs
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa recalled the joyous occasion when at the sod-cutting ceremony in 2003, during the tenure of Prof. Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere as Vice Chancellor. She said the final inauguration of the GCB Lecture Hall would further enhance the existing cordial relations between the University and the GCB Bank.
Mr. Enoch Amartey, in brief remarks, gave a background of the project. He said that following a proposal to GCB Bank in 2003 to support the University with a new lecture building, which he noted was graciously accepted by the Bank to commemorate its 50th Anniversary. He acknowledged the hard work of the construction company Consar Ltd., and noted that the completion of the project in 2016 contributed significantly to conducting the second semester examinations for the 2015/2016 academic year within two weeks, which hitherto spanned three weeks.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the Management and staff of GCB Bank for the kind support, while assuring them that the new lecture building would be well maintained and put to good use.
Some staff of GCB Bank ltd. and members of the University community seated at the ceremony
Present at the inauguration ceremony was the Director of Finance at GCB Bank, a former Managing Director of GCB Bank Ltd. Mr. Lawrence Adu-Mante, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, the Provosts of the College of Humanities and Education, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah and Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo as well as staff of GCB Bank and members of the University community.
UG and GCB Officials in a group photograph
