Convocation Members Present
A total of 9,643 students have graduated at various levels in the University of Ghana at the January 2022 Congregation. Virtual and open air in-person congregation ceremonies were held for approximately seven thousand, one hundred and ninety-two (7,192) students who completed their Bachelors, two thousand three hundred and sixty three (2,363) Masters and eighty-eight (88) PhD studies during the 2020/2021 academic year in all Colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.
The Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah
In her opening remarks, the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, explained that the decision to hold virtual ceremonies for undergraduates and open air in-person ceremonies for graduate students was necessitated by the safety protocols in place to curb the spread of Covid-19 and the University’s commitment to the wellbeing of all stakeholders. She reminded graduands to adhere to the pandemic preventive measures on campus by avoiding gathering in groups or organising parties on campus after their congregation ceremonies. Mrs. Agyei-Mensah congratulated the graduands on braving the odds to satisfy the requirements for graduation.
The Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse
The Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse who declared the purpose of the occasion, acknowledged the measures put in place to ensure the safety of students and employees since the start of the pandemic. She noted the changes in the ranks of the University’s Principal Officers and new appointments made since the last congregation. She took the opportunity to thank the outgone Officers including the former Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, Provosts, Deans, and also welcomed the new appointees on board. Mrs. Chinery-Hesse called on Management to work urgently on the recommendations made by the Collegiate Review Panel.
The Chancellor also congratulated the new graduates. She said, ‘We share in your joy. You’ve worked very hard to get to this point and we are proud of you. I urge you to reflect on your achievements and also to focus on what you would want your future to look like. The journey going forward, regardless of the path you choose, will call for even more hard work but I am certain that each and every one of you, having made it this far, has what it takes to succeed. We wish you well!’
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her address to Congregation noted that based on the University of Ghana Emergency Response Team’s recommendations, the University will gradually return to regular operations during the 2021/2022 academic year. Prof. Amfo stressed that the compliance of Covid-19 safety protocols would be enforced and entreated all students to get vaccinated before returning to their respective campuses.
The Vice-Chancellor further announced the approval by the University Council for the establishment of City Campuses in Takoradi and Kumasi, to be situated in the Learning Centres already located in these cities. ‘An implementation committee has been formed, and processes towards the take-off of these campuses are on course. It is expected that the first batch of students to these campuses will be admitted once the accreditation processes are completed’, Prof. Amfo noted.
She highlighted some of the remarkable achievements of some students who have excelled in various national and global competitions. She also commended the Office of Research Innovation and Development for facilitating the submission of 24 proposal/grant applications to various funders with a value of approximately US$ 63 million. The Vice-Chancellor called on faculty and staff to take advantage of the grants to produce groundbreaking research in reputable outlets.
Prof. Amfo congratulated the graduands and challenged them to be excellent ambassadors of the University, exhibiting outstanding performance in their careers.
A PhD Accounting Valedictorian, Dr. Theodora Akua Aryee
Valedictory addresses were also delivered by Mr. Abdul Razak Mohammed, Ms. Sabrina Tenkorang, Mr. Edward Bempong Anane, Ms. Jennifer Owusu and Mr. Benard Kojo Akoto. The other valedictorians were Mr. Frank Obeng Addai, Mr. Douglas Kwame Adjei, Ms. Rose Aning, Dr. Jeffrey Abbey, Dr. Theodora Akua Aryee, Dr. Bernard Kwaku Okai, Ms. Isabella Serlom Cudjoe and Ms. Deborah Quarshie.
Guest Speakers who inspired the graduands to aspire to greater heights during the congregation ceremonies were Mr. Ebenezer Twum Asante, Vice-President, Southern and East Africa and Ghana (SEAGHA) Region of MTN; Mrs. Ivy Apea Owusu, Chief Executive Officer, Cirrus Oil Services Ltd.; Dr. Prince Sodoko Amuzu, Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Sciences; Mrs. Ayesha Bedwei Ibe, Partner, Africa Diversity and Inclusion Leader, Tax Leader, Pricewaterhouse Coopers (Ghana), Mr. Seth Twum- Akwaboah (Chief Executive Officer, Association of Ghana Industries) and Mr. Michael Barlett-Vanderpuye, President and Group Chair, M&C Group (Global).
A Cross Section of Graduands
All the congregation ceremonies were premiered on all the University’s social media handles.
Congratulations to all our new graduates!!!
