Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, University Officials and invited guests during the tour of the facility.
A 37.5 million dollar Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project for the University of Ghana Distance Education programme has been inaugurated. The ceremony took place at the Accra City campus of the University which houses the Accra Learning Centre.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, said the inauguration is part of a larger set of activities reflecting the strong desire of the University of Ghana to use ICT as major strategy in achieving its future goals. He emphasised on the aspiration to be a research-intensive university to contribute to Ghana’s development. He thanked the Ghana government for identifying with the university’s aspirations and also for supporting the university in acquiring the loan that financed
the facility. Prof. Aryeetey gave the assurance that great results will be produced from the use of the infrastructure.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education
The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, inaugurated the project on behalf of the Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. Mr. Ablakwa said the Ministry was delighted at the project as it would help ease the pressure on the University for Space in its facilities especially the lecture halls.
Hon. Ablakwa urged all Distance Education students to use the facility for the right purpose. He also advised them to allow the new technology to deepen their understanding of the modern world and to use the opportunities that they have to come up with more innovations and findings that can guarantee a prosperous and wealthy nation.
Her Excellency Ms. Sun Baohong, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Ms. Sun Baohong, said the Chinese Government is committed to supporting increase in access to ICT for improved information sharing. She hoped the project would strengthen the existing relationship between Ghana and China.
Mr. Yong Deng, Vice-President of Unis Splendour Software System
Mr. Yong Deng, Vice-President of Unis Splendour Software System China said, the use of ICT in teaching would help students become more open-minded. He added that Education is the bridge between wealth and poverty and his Company is excited to be a part of this success story. Mr. Deng expressed the hope that the equipment will be properly maintained.
Prof. John Gyapong, Pro-Vice Chancellor, ORID
The Pro-Vice Chancellor, in charge Research, Innovation and Development and Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, Prof. John Gyapong acknowledged various individuals whose roles were vital to the implementation of the project.
Dr. Sam Somuah, Project Manager
Dr. Sam Somuah, Project Manager, said the learning centres of Accra City Campus, Koforidua, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tamale, Tsito, and Wa are equipped with modern facilities with each centre provided with ultra-modern computer labs, smart classrooms, a video conference facility each, backup generators and outdoor Wi-Fi.
He said the offices of the Centre Organisers have been refurbished and supplied with modern office equipment and laptops for the tutors.
Prof. Alex Asiedu, Principal of Accra City Campus
Earlier on in the programme, the Principal of the Accra City Campus, Prof. Alex Asiedu, welcomed the guests to the ceremony.
Prof. Aryeetey and Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo cutting a tape to symbolically unveil the internet enabled android tablets
The Provost of the College of Education, Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo assisted Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aryeetey to unveil internet enabled android tablets.
Mr. William Kofi Latsey and Ms. Eva Abugabe receiving internet enabled android tablets on behalf of their colleagues
The President of the Distance Education Students Association, Mr. William Kofi Latsey and the Women’s Commissioner, Ms. Eva Abugabe received the tablets on behalf of the students.
The second phase of the Chinese sponsored UG Distance Education ICT project began in 2012. As part of the project the various distance education learning centres have been refurbished and computer labs equipped with desktop computers. In addition, three thousand android tablets preloaded for level 100 students have been acquired.
Members of the University community at the ceremony
The inauguration ceremony was attended by former Vice –Chancellor, Prof. C.N.B. Tagoe and former Registrar, Mr. J.M. Budu. Officials from the University of Ghana who attended the ceremony were the Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia, the Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Ebenezer Owusu, Provost of the College of Education , Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo, Dean of the school of Continuing and Distance Education , Prof. Yaw Oheneba-Sakyi ,Chief Information Technology Officer , Mr. Lucas Chigabatia ,Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, and Director of Human Resource and Organisational development Directorate , Mr. Daniel Baidoo. Staff of the University of Ghana as well as students from the Collage of Education were also in attendance. A tour of the facility was organized after the formal launch. There was also a demonstration of the video conferencing equipment with officials in Accra learning centre communicating with staff based at the Tamale learning centre.
