Mensah Sarbah Hall Launches 60th Anniversary in Grand Style

The Mensah Sarbah Hall of the University of Ghana has launched its 60th Anniversary at a colourful ceremony at the Hall’s premises. To mark this significant milestone, a new statue of John Mensah Sarbah was unveiled.  

Dr. Roger Atinga, Hall Master of Mensah Sarbah Hall, outlined the projects which will be undertaken to commemorate this milestone and appealed to the general public for support.  

Dr. Roger Atinga, Hall Master of Mensah Sarbah Hall

Our objective for the 60th Anniversary is to raise funds and implement seven (7) key projects. These include the renovation of student washrooms, modernisation of reading rooms in the Hall, expansion of internet coverage, installation of CCTV cameras to minimise crime, conversion of ICT centre into a digital information hub, construction of a mentorship garden and tiling works on the first floor of the main hall. For this reason, we are seeking partnerships and collaboration with individuals, organisations and corporate bodies to enable us modernise our Hall”, Dr. Atinga appealed. 

A cross-section of participants at the Ceremony

Special Guest of Honor, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, congratulated the Hall on its 60th Anniversary and urged the Hall to keep up its tradition of grooming leaders for the country.

  

Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

“I urge Sarbah Hall on the occasion of your 60th Anniversary to continue to be a nursery for Leadership, considering the several distinguished alumni you have produced in the past 60 years. Continue to pave the way for the younger ones and set a good example for the next generation of students,” Dr. Bawumia noted.  

The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Rosina Kyerematen, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, commended the newly appointed Hall Master for the prompt planning and execution of the 60th Anniversary events. She assured him of the university's support in any future endeavors. 

Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Rosina Kyerematen

His Eminence Albert Seth Nyonyo, Chairperson of the event and Alumni President of Mensah Sarbah Hall, appealed to all former hall members to lend their unwavering support to the hall in the various projects scheduled to commemorate the hall's 60th anniversary. 

His Eminence Albert Seth Nyonyo, Alumni President of Mensah Sarbah Hall

Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Former Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and Alumnus of the Hall, in his goodwill message congratulated the Mensah Sarbah hall and its management on the 60th anniversary and wished the Hall well as it continues to produce many more influential people. 

Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Former Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)

Chairman of the 60th Anniversary committee, Dr. Stephen Braimah, announced activities to mark the Anniversary. 

“After this launch and unveiling ceremony, there will be other programmes to celebrate our milestone. There will be Public Lectures that are going to run during the year, site visits, health talks, health screening, games, and a homecoming event by the Alumni. The climax of our activities will be a dinner and awards night and then finally thanksgiving services for both Christians and Muslims. As a legacy project, we would like to start an Endowment Fund and honour John Mensah Sarbah with an annual John Mensah Sarbah Lecture,” Dr. Braimah disclosed.  

A cross-section of participants at the Ceremony

At the ceremony to unveil the new Mensah Sarbah statue, former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Yankah, paid glowing tribute the statesman by describing him as a monumental figure in Ghana's history, who merits the honour. 

Former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Yankah and other dignitaries unveiling the new Mensah Sarbah statue

The late John Mensah Sarbah's family was pleased to see the construction of a new statue honoring the Statesman and advised the Hall's management to exercise vigilance and enhance security, in order to prevent losing it once more. 

Also present at the event were former Vice-Chancellors Professor Ivan Addae Mensah and Professor Ernest Aryeetey; MP for the Ayawaso West Wuogoun, Honorable Lydia Seyram Alhassan; Statue Taskforce Chair, Mrs. Betty Mould Iddrisu; Management and staff of the Mensah Sarbah Hall, as well as executives and members of the Mensah Sarbah Hall Junior Common Room. 

The new Mensah Sarbah statue

The performances from Abibigromma, the resident theatre company of the School of Performing Arts and the Mensah Sarbah Hall Cadet added excitement to the festive atmosphere.