Official Launch of UG Printing Press

Professor Felix A. Asante together with Mr. Kwaku Mensa Bonsu cutting the tape to officially open the UG Press

On 17th November 2020, the refurbished University of Ghana Printing Press (UG Press) was launched by Professor Felix A. Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development (RID).

In a speech read on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Asante expressed optimism that “…the UG Press, through outstanding management practices and hard work by its staff will in the near future become a world-class press that will bring visibility to the University through the high quality of its work.”  Prof. Asante commended the good work done by the Management Board of the UG Press, chaired by Mr. Kwaku Mensa Bonsu, and pledged that the University will continue to support the Press and patronise its services.

Professor Felix A. Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Development (RID).

Prof. Michael Tagoe, Acting Provost, College of Education, traced the beginnings of the UG Press, established in 2016, to two in-house presses earlier established in the then Institute of Adult Education and School of Communication Studies. He paid a glowing tribute to his predecessors, including Prof. Cephas Omenyo, the Foundation Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Oheneba Sakyi, former Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, and Dr. Samuel Somuah, former Chief Information Technology Officer of the University for spearheading the amalgamation of the two presses. He also acknowledged the Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Dean, School of Information and Communication Studies, and Professor Margaret Ivy Amoakohene, former Head of Department of Communication Studies, the Chair and Management Board of the UG Press, the Printing Manager, Head of Administration and all the staff of the Press for their commitment and desire to see the UG Press grow.

Prof. Tagoe was hopeful that, notwithstanding the competition from other press houses, the UG Press will continue to grow and build on the successes already chalked, provided it has the right structures and support. He noted that the recent acquisition of new equipment has greatly boosted the production capacity and made it possible for the Press to handle larger amounts of printing works.

Mr. Kwaku Mensa Bonsu, Chairman of the Management Board of the UG Press, expressed appreciation to the University’s Senior Management for the confidence reposed in him to chair the Board. He indicated that by its commitment to the motto “Quality Printing, Prompt Delivery,” the UG Press has demonstrated that it is poised to become a leader in the printing industry and ultimately a reputable Press House. He expressed the hope that with Management’s support, the Board will continue to improve the fortunes of the UG Press.

Rev. Father Professor Michael Okyerefo, Dean of the School of Arts, performed a short ceremony to dedicate the refurbished building and the new equipment before the cutting of tape to showcase the facility. The officials present were conducted on a tour by Mr. Nicholas Graham, the Printing Manager. This was followed by a short documentary on the history of the UG Press.

Rev. Father Professor Michael Okyerefo dedicating the refurbished building and new equipment

At the beginning of proceedings, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa led the observation of a minute of silence in remembrance of the late Mr. Ronald Mensah, a staff of the UG Press who passed on a couple of days before the launch.

Present at the launch were the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, (ASA), Prof. Nana Aba A. Amfo; the Registrar, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia; other members of University Senior Management; members of the Management Board of the UG Press; some officials and staff of the University as well as representatives of the media.

The ceremony was interspersed with cultural performances by the Ghana Dance Ensemble.

A cross section of the audience at the event

 

 

 

Photo gallery of the launch

Short documentary on the UG Press

Statements from Officials