TAKORADI CITY CAMPUS HOSTS MAIDEN CAMPUS WEEK CELEBRATION
The Takoradi City Campus of the College of Education, University of Ghana, successfully organized its maiden Campus Week Celebration (CWC) from Tuesday, 29th July to Sunday, 3rd August 2025. The week-long event was held under the theme: “Campus Connect: Empowering Knowledge, Well-being, and Community Service.”
Opening Activities: Clean-Up and Launch
Activities began on Tuesday with a clean-up exercise led by the regular students and supported by staff. This exercise set a strong tone of community service and environmental responsibility—values that underpinned the entire celebration.
The official launch of the CWC took place on Wednesday, 30th July 2025. The ceremony was chaired by Dr. Wiafe-Akenten, Vice-Dean of Students. The Special Guest of Honour was Prof. Charity Sylvia Akotia, Chairperson of the City Campuses Implementation Team. The event was opened by Prof. Bernardin Senadza, the outgoing Acting Principal of the Campus, who warmly welcomed all guests and participants. He encouraged full engagement in the activities lined up for the celebration and commended the organizing team for their initiative.
Panel Discussion: Youth, Purpose, and Participation
One of the highlights of the launch was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Aidatu Abubakari, a full-time lecturer at the Campus. The diverse panel featured:
· Prof. Ramos Asafo-Adjei of Takoradi Technical University
· Dr. Emmanuel Ferguson Aikins, lecturer at the Campus
· Miss Nancy Kwao, JCR Chairperson for Distance Education students
· Mr. Gideon Apprey, a Level 200 regular student
In his remarks, Dr. Wiafe-Akenten praised the Campus for introducing the CWC and expressed particular admiration for the inclusion of the panel discussion. He stressed the importance of early career planning, goal setting, and leveraging both formal and informal learning platforms. He encouraged students to make good use of technology but warned against the pitfalls of social media addiction and excessive reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT, urging that these should be seen as learning aids—not replacements for critical thinking and personal initiative.
He further underscored the value of mentorship, collaboration, and community service, calling on management to involve students in decision-making processes where relevant. He also acknowledged the gradual shift in students' perception of the Campus—from initial uncertainty to growing appreciation—especially due to small class sizes, interactive teaching, and a close-knit academic environment.
Presentations: Building Knowledge and Personal Growth
The CWC featured a series of enlightening presentations. A two-part session on “Graduate Professional Conduct, Career, and Academic Experience” was delivered by Prof. Charity Sylvia Akotia and Dr. Emmanuel Aikins, offering practical insights into professional development and academic growth.
A compelling presentation on mental health by Dr. Ernest Darkwah of the Department of Psychology challenged staff and students to reframe how they view mental well-being, prompting many to consider perspectives they had never explored.
This was followed by an insightful online presentation by Miss Edwina Paintsil of the Careers and Counselling Directorate, which capped off the academic sessions for the week. The day ended with an engaging corporate session led by Zenith Bank and Star Assurance Company Limited, both of whom introduced students to financial and insurance services tailored to their needs.
Leadership Transition and Team Bonding
On Friday, a special session was held to mark a significant leadership transition. The outgoing Acting Principal, Prof. Bernardin Senadza, officially handed over to the newly appointed Acting Principal, Prof. Moses Kumi Asamoah. Staff members who had completed their tenure at the Campus were honoured with citations of appreciation, while new staff were formally welcomed into the community.
The atmosphere quickly shifted from formal to festive, as both staff and students engaged in fun games and team-building activities such as sack race, ludo, fill-the-bottle, and “oware.” These recreational moments promoted camaraderie, stress relief, and a strong sense of unity across the campus.
Aerobics, Football & Final Celebrations
On Saturday, 2nd August, the campus community gathered at the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) field for an energetic aerobics session led by Mr. Alfred Amui of the Air Force Officers Mess, Takoradi. The morning workout was followed by a thrilling football match between Distance Education and Regular students. The match ended in a penalty shootout victory for the Regular students, much to the excitement of the crowd.
Thanksgiving Service: A Grateful Conclusion
The Campus Week Celebration was brought to a reflective and joyful close on Sunday with a thanksgiving service held at Bethel Methodist Church, Takoradi. The service provided an opportunity for staff and students to express gratitude for a successful and memorable celebration, and to commit to carrying the week’s lessons into their academic and personal lives.
The maiden Campus Week Celebration at the Takoradi City Campus proved to be a meaningful and impactful initiative—one that combined learning, wellness, service, and fun. It not only fostered a stronger sense of community but also reinforced the Campus’s commitment to holistic student development.