UG Holds November 2019 Congregation Ceremonies

19 Nov, 2019by skdagudetse

The University of Ghana has held the 2019 November Congregation ceremonies for students who completed various programmes of study from the School of Graduate Studies, College of Health Sciences (CHS), College of Humanities (CoH), College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) and the College of Education (CoE). The ceremonies which were the last set of congregation for the 2018/2019 cohort of students took place from the 14-16 November 2019 graduating approximately 5980 graduate and undergraduate students.

From July, 2019, a total of 9,273 who completed their studies at the University during the 2018/2019 academic year would have been graduated by the end of the November Congregation sessions.

The November 2019 Congregation saw two sessions solely dedicated to graduands from the School of Graduate Studies where 3,032 students, including 146 PhDs graduated.

In all, seven sessions were held, chaired at different times by the Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, Chairman of University Council, Prof. Yaw Twumasi and Prof. Baffour Agyemang-Duah, a member of the University Council. With a concurrent session taking place at the Department of Economics, Cedi Conference Centre, six sessions took place at the Great Hall.

Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse

The Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse in her introductory remarks, while declaring Congregation constituted for the conferment of degrees, stated that University Management remains committed to improving upon graduation rates and student satisfaction, and will continue to do all in its power to provide students with a memorable experience.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu in his address to Congregation highlighted developments within the University during the past academic year. He indicated that a total of 18,212 students made up of 15,167 undergraduate and 3,045 graduate students were enrolled during the 2019/2020 academic year. Out of the total enrolment, 9,288 were female, while 8,924 were males, representing a 51:49 female-male ratio. He noted that these statistics shows the University has exceeded its target of achieving female to male enrolment ratio of 50:50 by 2020.

As a means of solving accommodation challenges on campus, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu stated that the University’s Land Lease Committee is in negotiations with private bodies to expand housing facilities on campus. He mentioned that the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) had initiated processes to embark on a 25,000-bed capacity hostel project. The Vice-Chancellor also commended the Old Vandals Association of the Commonwealth Hall for their steps in improving accommodation on campus.

On financial support to students, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu revealed that the University through the Students Financial Aid Office awarded scholarships worth about GH₵3,000,000 to six hundred and fourteen (614) students. This, according to the Vice-Chancellor represented a 155% increase from the previous year’s scholarship sum of GH₵1,000,000.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu

Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu commended Mr. Benjamin Azameti, Ms. Grace Obour and the University’s Male Basketball Team for their stellar performances on the national and international stage in their various sporting disciplines. He was optimistic that the University’s Policy on Admission of Athlete Students (UG-PAAS) of which Mr. Azameti and Ms. Obour were beneficiaries will continue to yield results.

Addressing the graduands, the Vice-Chancellor charged them not to relent in seeking knowledge as acquisition of knowledge does not end with their graduation. He admonished them to use the knowledge acquired to make significant changes in their respective lives and in the society as a whole. He further called on the graduands to uphold the values of the University which are Respect, Commitment, Integrity, and Loyalty.

Valedictory speeches were delivered by Mr. Keith Oko Cleland, Mr. Jacob Semekor Mordzifa, Mr. Emmanuel Gyasi, Dr. Ama Akoma Essuman, Ms. Millicent Otopabea Awuku, Ms. Meek Esinam Djokoto and Mr. Michael Goka on behalf of the graduands from the four Colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.

Mr. Keith Oko Cleland delivering his valedictory speech

Guest Speakers at the various ceremonies were: Mrs. Doris Y. A. Ahiati, Co-founder and CEO of Crescendo Consult Limited, Mr. Kwabena Adu-Kusi, Managing Partner Adu-Kusi PRUC (formerly Law Bureau), Ms. Linda Saara Selby, Acting Head, Recoveries and Collections, Universal Merchant Bank, Mr. Olumide Olatunji, Managing Director, Access Bank Ghana, Mrs. Emi-Beth Aku Quantson, Chief Executive Officer, Kawa Moka, Mr. Bernardino Avle, General Manager, Citi FM and Citi TV and Hon. Elizabeth E. Knaup, Honorary Consul, Republic of Mauritius.