On a special evening that marked the 75th anniversary of the outdooring of the University of Ghana, Legon, members of the University community, alumni, and friends of the University gathered at the Great Hall to partake in an engaging dialogue with former Captains of UG.
Dubbed “Conversations with Former UG Captains”, the event was organised as part of Wear UG Day and in line with the focus of the 75th Anniversary celebration to reflect on the existence and impact of the University of Ghana for the past 75 years and to strategise for a more prosperous future.
The event provided a platform for members of the University community to engage former leaders of the University who shared invaluable insights on the historical trajectory of the University, retrace the steps of the University to its origins, and assess how well the University has lived up to its core mandate.
Host of the event and Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her welcome remarks, expressed her delight at the commemoration of the occasion and the presence of diverse stakeholders at the event.
Commenting on the celebration, Prof. Amfo said, “Wear UG Day was not only for us to assert our proud identity as members of Ghana’s premier and highly ranked university but also to reflect on the giant strides we have made over the past 75 years and to rekindle our inspiration to continuously strive to live up to the UG Brand”.
She proposed that “the Wear UG Day becomes a permanent feature on our annual university calendar, where on the second Wednesday of October, every year, we wear something UG, in commemoration of the inauguration of our dear University.”
The idea for the Conversations with former UG Captains, according to the Vice-Chancellor, came as a “fine opportunity to engage in some introspection and reflection, retracing our steps to our very beginnings and to assess how well we have lived up to our core mandate.” She stated that “upon further deliberations, we settled on engaging people who are well-versed in the history, operations, and governance of the University to share invaluable insights with the audience, particularly younger members of the community, to have a good understanding and appreciation of the University of Ghana’s 75 years of existence.”
Prof. Amfo also used the occasion to announce a fundraiser Banquet slated for December 2023. “Before I take my seat, permit me to share some information about our upcoming Banquet in December. This is a fundraising dinner scheduled to be held on December 22, 2023, with the President of the Republic, other dignitaries and special guests, alumni, faculty, staff, students and partners of the University in attendance. Proceeds from this event will be channelled to the construction of the 75th anniversary legacy project, which is a Student Experience Centre, a project that will change the face of student services at UG.” The Vice-Chancellor mentioned.
The highlight of the evening was the enlightening panel discussion moderated by renowned journalist and UG alumnus, Bernard Avle. The panel comprised distinguished individuals who have played key roles in the University's history, including Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, former Vice-Chancellor (1996 - 2002); Professor Ernest Aryeetey, former Vice-Chancellor (2010 - 2016); Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, former Registrar (2013 - 2021) and Mrs. Carlotta Bannerman Amande, former Student Leader (2003 - 2004).
The conversation was exhilarating and nostalgic as the panel members shared their experiences and insights on various topics, including campus lifestyle, student politics, administrative achievements and the economic challenges the University has encountered over the decades.
The audience had the opportunity to reminisce and gain a deeper understanding of the University's journey over the years.
Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, a panelist and a former Vice Chancellor of the University, recounted his efforts to champion the implementation of a cost-sharing policy during his tenure. He emphasised the importance of this policy for the University's sustainability and efficient operation.
Prof. Addae-Mensah explained that the decision to introduce cost-sharing stemmed from the challenges of receiving monthly subventions in arrears, which hindered the University's smooth functioning. “We implemented the policy of cost-sharing where students were going to pay 5% of the cost of what it took to train a student, the government paid 60% of the cost, and the universities met the 35% of the cost from its internal revenues generated” he recounted.
Prof. Addae-Mensah also fondly reminisced about the student demonstrations, also called "aluta" that happened during his tenure.
Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, another former Vice-Chancellor and a panelist, in his submissions, recounted his period as both a student and Vice-Chancellor. He highlighted significant milestones in the University's history, including the adoption of the Collegiate system and the formulation of a ten-year strategic plan spanning 2014 to 2024.
He further expressed his hope to witness a Nobel Prize laureate emerge from UG, believing it would bring immeasurable benefits and enhance its prestige.
He stated that although the University may not readily be in a position to produce a Nobel Prize winner immediately, he was hopeful that would happen in the near future. “I would like to see a future in this University where a young man or young woman at WACCI, or at WACBIP, or at Noguchi or ISSER can think and dream about a Nobel Prize," Prof Aryeetey stated.
Recounting her experiences, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, who was Registrar from 2013 to 2021, outlined the reasons for the collegiate system pointing back to a visitation the University had in 2006 from experts when the University management at the time recognised that there were deficiencies in the governance structure.
She deemed the constitution of a “Visitation Panel Implementation Committee” by the University Council to implement the recommendations of the panel of visitors as a useful exercise.
“One of the recommendations was that the University had grown too big, and it was time to decentralise governance, and the University itself set up committees to plan what this change would look like. So, the decision about how to group departments, and how the structure should be in terms of governance and administration, breaking the University up and yet keeping it as one,” she recalled.
Another panelist and a former student leader, Mrs. Carlotta Bannerman Amande for her part recounted how, under her leadership as acting SRC president, the University Management factored in student concerns and also overturned some decisions made by Management at the time. She further made recommendations to Management on engaging students in making major decisions, following discussions on the current high cost of feeding on campus and students’ rejection of the introduction of a meal plan to provide students with healthy meals at affordable prices, in the past.
The discussions were succeeded by a riveting question-and-answer session where thought-provoking, critical and current questions were met with insightful, analytical, and strategic answers from the panelists.
The Registrar Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, who delivered closing remarks, conveyed the University’s appreciation to the distinguished panelists and moderator. She acknowledged the insights shared by the panelists and pledged Management’s commitment to implementing the invaluable suggestions made.
During the event, the Ghana Dance Ensemble, clad in 75th UG anniversary clothes, graced the occasion with a beautiful dance performance.
Present at the event were Prof. Akilagkpa Sawyerr, former Vice-Chancellor (1985-1992); Mr. Joseph Maafu Budu, former Registrar (2009-2013); Members of Council; Provosts, Deans and Directors; Heads of Departments; Members of Convocation; Staff and Faculty; Past and Present Senior Officers; Alumni; Students and Invited Guests.
Click here to watch a replay of the event.
