SPORTS DIRECTORATE PRESENTS TROPHIES TO VICE-CHANCELLOR
The University of Ghana Sports Directorate has presented the 2021 Ghana Fastest Human and the Ghana Universities Debate Championship trophies to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo.
The Director of Sports, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu in his opening remarks congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of staff of the Sports Directorate, on her appointment and induction into office as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University. He noted that the Sports Directorate was the first outfit since her induction to present laurels to her. He added that the visit was to add impetus and to motivate student athletes who have represented the University in external competitions and have excelled during the year.
Director of Sports, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu addressing the Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Bitugu briefed the Vice-Chancellor on the University’s participation in the 7th Ghana Universities Debate Championship (GUDC) which was held at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani. He noted that since the University won it in 2014, the Open Debate Category trophy had eluded the University until the last competition. This is despite the fact that the University always performed excellently in the Public Speaking and Adjudication categories in Ghana, Africa and the world in the last couple of years. The Director of Sports was grateful to the Vice-Chancellor for approving the University’s participation at the next World Universities Debate Championship.
Mr. Lawrence Nii Kotey Neequaye
Mr. Lawrence Nii Kotey Neequaye, an alumnus of the University and Coach of the Debate Team thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the support of the University over the period and highlighted the performance of the Debate Team in the Championship. Mr. Neequaye informed the Vice-Chancellor that Messrs. Elisha Owusu Akyaw, a Level 200 student reading Political Science, Philosophy and Classics and Abdul Karim Ibrahim an M.Phil. Student reading African Studies were the Champions of the Open Debate Category, ending the six-year wait. Both Elisha and Karim were adjudged the Best Speakers of the Championship.
Other award winners were Priscilla Owusu, Best New Judge; Erasmus Agbo, 3rd Best New Judge; Eunice Asare, 5th Best Public Speaker; Lois Osei-Sekyere, 7th Best Novice Speaker; Abdul Mutalib Iddrisu and Elikem Dennis Ahorsu both 8th Best Novice Speakers.
The 2021 GUDC Champion and President of the University of Ghana Debate Society, Elisha Owusu Akyaw, was grateful to God for the victory after six years. On behalf of his teammates and the Debate Society, he expressed appreciation to University Senior Management, the Sports Directorate and every stakeholder who supported them in their preparations before and during the competition. He assured the Vice-Chancellor that the Team will defend the trophy at the next edition of the competition.
The Director of Sports also presented Grace Obour to the Vice-Chancellor, for winning the 2021 Ghana Fastest Human Competition. Grace, a Level 200 student reading Bachelor of Arts Sport Studies and Physical Culture, is currently the 3rd Best 400 meters runner in Africa, 2020 Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games 400 meters Gold Medalist and the Bearer of the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022, England.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo commended the Director of Sports and Staff of the Sports Directorate for the victories achieved so far in various competitions. She indicated that it was a demonstration of teamwork at play adding that the University recognises and values everyone playing their role to get the anticipated results. The Vice-Chancellor praised Dr. Bitugu for his leadership and promised her continuous support to the Directorate.
Professor Amfo also congratulated Ms. Grace Obour on her achievements and for putting the University in the limelight. The Vice-Chancellor stated that the University was proud of her achievements. She remarked that the University looks forward to seeing her do greater things and tasked the Director of Sports to identify and nurture more of her kind.
She advised members of the Debate Society that though they may have the flair, they should continue to be consistent in their practice and be disciplined.
“As an institution and as the Vice-Chancellor, I am interested in the holistic development of students. As students you must know your subjects but even better, you must develop yourselves in such a way that you are able to present yourselves well to the outside public.”
Professor Amfo indicated that the trophy had come home so the Sports Directorate should ensure that it stays home next year as well. She declared her support and by extension the University to the student athletes to continue the good works as they are ambassadors of the University.
Present at the presentation were the Senior Assistant Registrar at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mrs. Arhizah Blay-Abiti, Senior Assistant Registrar at the Sports Directorate, Mr. Augustine Amissare and some Staff of the Sports Directorate.