UG Marks Christmas Season with 2025 Service of Nine Lessons, Carols and Drama
The University of Ghana community came together for the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons, Carols and Drama, a festive and reflective ceremony marking the Christmas season with worship and thanksgiving.
The service was jointly organised by the Public Affairs Directorate, the School of Performing Arts and the Chaplaincy Board, and attracted a cross-section of the University’s leadership and community. In attendance were the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo; the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Gordon A. Awandare; the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah; as well as Provosts, Deans, Directors, faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders.
The traditional Nine Lessons, which recount the biblical narrative from humanity’s fall to the birth of Christ, were read by representatives drawn from across the University community. The first lesson was read by Leticia Garbrah of the University Basic School, Legon, followed by the second lesson delivered by Hillary Philipa Nyarko, General Secretary of the University of Ghana Students’ Representative Council (UGSRC).
William Segbenu, Vice-President of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), presented the third lesson, while the fourth lesson was delivered by Ms. Jennifer Adwoa Banahene, Junior Staff Representative. The fifth lesson was read by Mr. Albert Edmund, Senior Staff Representative, followed by the sixth lesson delivered by Dr. Nahashon Chiakwuor Kali, representing the University Hospital.
The seventh lesson was read by Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, University of Ghana Chapter (UTAG-UG), while the eighth lesson was delivered by Professor Alfred Yawson, Provost of the College of Health Sciences. The service concluded with the ninth lesson, read by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo.
Interspersed with the lessons were captivating musical and choral performances by the UG Jubilee Choir, the University Basic School Choir, Akuafo Hall, Soul Street and Dr. Alfred Patrick Addaquay of the Department of Music. The renowned University theatre troupe, Abibigromma, also brought the Christmas story to life through a dramatic presentation.
Delivering the Christmas message, the Head Pastor of the Legon Interdenominational Church (LIC), Reverend Yaw Boamah, reflected on humanity’s fall and God’s redemptive promise through Christ, describing Christmas as the fulfilment of God’s first announcement of salvation. He reminded the congregation that while sin deformed humanity, Christ alone restores it.
Reverend Boamah further challenged members of the University community to become agents of hope during the festive season by responding to the needs of the vulnerable, including widows, orphans, neighbours and families, and by being practical answers to the expectations of others.
He also reflected on events of the past year and encouraged the community to look forward to the new year with renewed faith, compassion and a strengthened commitment to service.
The celebration was crowned with a special appearance by Santa Claus, who delighted guests by distributing gifts, adding a touch of cheer to the evening’s festivities.
