UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST COLLEGE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION SALE OF APPLICATION FORMS FOR 2017/2018 ACADEMIC YEAR The College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast wishes to inform the general public, especially basic school teachers, clerks, secretarial and accounting personnel in the civil/public service, commerce and industry, that Application Forms for admission to the University of Cape Coast by Distance Learning for the 2017/2018 Academic Year will be on sale from 28th November, 2016 to 4th March, 2017. EDUCATION PROGRAMMES 1.3-year Diploma in Basic Education (DBE) 2.3-year Diploma in Psychology and Foundations of Education (DPF) 3.3-year Diploma in Mathematics and Science Education (DMSE) for Science and Elective Mathematics students 4.2-year Bachelor Degree in Basic Education (PDE) for Diploma in Basic Education Holders only 5.2-year Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Foundations of Education (BPF) for Diploma in Education Holders only. 6.2-year Bachelor Degree in Mathematics and Science Education (BMSE) for Diploma in Mathematics and Science Education Holders or its equivalent from recognized tertiary institutions. 7.3-year Bachelor Degree in Basic Education (3PDE) for holders of Specialist Certificates in Education or Diploma in subjects other than Education from recognized Tertiary Institutions. BUSINESS PROGRAMMES 1.3-year Diploma in Commerce (DCO) 2.3-year Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) 3.2-year Bachelor Degree in Commerce (BCOM- CoDE ) for Dip in Commerce from CoDE /Accounting and GAT/ ATSWA final Certificate Holders 4.2-year Bachelor Degree in Management Studies (BMS- CoDE) for Dip in Mgt. Studies from CoDE and other institutions. 5.2-year Bachelor Degree in Commerce (BCOM- HND) for HND Accountancy and Entrepreneurship & Finance Holders only. 6.2-year Bachelor Degree in Management Studies (BMS- HND) for HND Secretaryship and Management Studies Holders only. 7.2-year Bachelor of Science in Marketing (BMK) for HND Marketing & Purchasing and Supply Holders 8.3-year Bachelor Degree in Management Studies (3BMS) for HND Marketing & Purchasing and Supply Holders 9.3-year Bachelor of Science in Marketing (3BMK) for HND Management studies and Tourism & Hospitality Management Holders. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH OF THE PROGRAMMES ARE AS FOLLOWS: EDUCATION PROGRAMMES – DIRECT ENTRY A1. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN BASIC EDUCATION (DBE) Applicants must possess any one of the following: i.WASSCE passes (A1-C6) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus 2 elective subjects. ii.SSSCE passes (A-D) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus 2 elective subjects. iii.General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) ‘A’ Level with passes in Two (2) subjects with grades not lower than D. In addition, applicants must possess credits at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level in Mathematics and English. iv.G.C.E Ordinary Level with a minimum of 5 credits in 5 subjects including English and Mathematics. v.Teacher’s Certificate A. A2. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOLOGY & FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (DPF) Applicants must possess any one of the following: i.WASSCE passes (A1-C6) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus 2 elective subjects. ii.SSSCE passes (A-D) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus 2 elective subjects. iii. General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) ‘A’ Level with passes in Two (2) subjects with grades not lower than D. In addition, applicants must possess credits at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level in Mathematics and English. iv. G.C.E Ordinary Level with a minimum of 5 credits in 5 subjects including English and Mathematics. v.Teacher’s Certificate A. A3. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION (DMSE) -FOR SCIENCE AND ELECTIVE MATHEMATICS STUDENTS Applicants must possess any one of the following: i.WASSCE passes (A1-C6) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Integrated Science, Mathematics plus 2 elective science subjects. ii.SSSCE passes (A-D) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Integrated Science, Mathematics plus 2 elective science subjects. iii. General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) ‘A’ Level with passes in Two (2) science subjects with grades not lower than D. In addition, they must possess credits at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level in Mathematics and English. iv. G.C.E Ordinary Level with a minimum of 5 credits in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Biology/ Agriculture and Chemistry. ENTRY BY MATURE EXAMINATION: Applicants who do not meet the specified requirements in (A1, A2 & A3) above can gain admission to the programme when they pass a Mature Students Entrance Examination (MEE) to be organized between 21st April and 7th May 2017 at selected Study Centres throughout the country. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN BASIC EDUCATION (DBE) & 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOLOGY & FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (DPF) 1.Applicants should have WASSCE/ SSSCE or G.C.E ‘O’ Level certificate with passes in; English or Mathematics and any two (2) other subjects. 2.Graduates of Vocational and Technical Institutions who are currently teaching. 3.Applicants should be at least 25 years. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION (DMSE) -FOR SCIENCE AND ELECTIVE MATHEMATICS STUDENTS Applicants must possess WASSCE/ SSSCE or G.C.E ‘O’ Level certificate with passes in; English or Mathematics and any two (2) Elective Science subjects. Applicants should be at least 25 years. BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMMES A4. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN BASIC EDUCATION (PDE) Applicants must possess Diploma in Basic Education / Diploma in Psychology and Foundations of Education / Diploma in Early Childhood Education awarded by UCC or any recognized institution. A5. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY AND FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION (BPF) Applicants must possess Diploma in Psychology and Foundations of Education/ Diploma in Basic Education / Diploma in Early Childhood Education awarded by UCC or any recognized institution. A6. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION (BMSE) Applicants must possess Diploma in Mathematics and Science Education from UCC or its equivalent from any recognized tertiary institution. A7. 3-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN BASIC EDUCATION (3PDE) Applicants must be holders of Specialist Certificates in Education and Diploma in subjects other than Education. B. BUSINESS PROGRAMMES – DIRECT ENTRY B1. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN COMMERCE (DCO) Applicants must possess any one of the following (from i-ix) i.Professional Certificate with a minimum of Part 1 of; Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, Institute of Bankers, Ghana Accounting Technicians Examination (GAT) and Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA). In addition to the above, applicants should possess passes in Mathematics and English. ii.WASSCE passes (A1-C6) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus 2 elective subjects including Accounting. iii.SSSCE passes (A-D) in five (5) subjects comprising three core subjects including English Language and Mathematics plus 2 elective subjects including Accounting. iv.General Business Certificate Examination (GBCE) and RSA Stage II with at least grade D in 5 subjects including Accounting, Business Management, English Language and Mathematics. v.Advanced Business Certificate Examination (ABCE) and RSA Stage III with passes in three (3) subjects including Financial Accounting and Economics with grades D or better. In addition applicants must possess passes in English and Mathematics with grades C6 in WASSCE, D in SSCE or credit (6) at ‘O’ Level or better. vi. London Chamber of Commerce (Intermediate) with three passes in subjects including Financial Accounting, Economics and Management. In addition applicants must possess passes in English and Mathematics with grades C6 in WASSCE, D in SSCE or credit (6) at ‘O’ Level or better. vii.G.C.E. ‘O’ Level with a minimum of 5 credits in 5 subjects including English Language, Mathematics and Financial Accounting. viii.G.C.E. ‘A’ Level with passes in Two (2) subjects including Accounting with grades not lower than D. In addition, they must possess credits at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level in Mathematics and English. ix.In addition to DBS (Accounting option), applicants must possess four (4) credit passes in WASSCE (A1-C6) / SSSCE (A-D) including English and Mathematics. B2. 3-YEAR DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES (DMS) a)The entry requirements are the same as those for Diploma in Commerce above except that the subjects should include Commerce, Office Administration/ Practice and Business Management. b)Holders of Private Secretary Certificates ENTRY BY MATURE EXAMINATION: Applicants who do not meet the specified requirements in (B1& B2) can gain admission to the programme when they pass a Mature Students Entrance Examination (MEE) to be organized from 18th February, 2017 – 7th May, 2017 at selected Study Centres throughout the country. a)Holders of Diploma in Business Studies (DBS) certificate awarded by the Technical Examination Unit of GES without four (4) credit passes in WASSCE / SSSCE including English and Mathematics would only be considered for admission after writing and passing all subjects during the Mature Entrance Examination. b)Applicants should have a WASSCE/ SSSCE or G.C.E ‘O’ Level certificate with passes in English or Mathematics and any two (2) other subjects. c)Applicants should be at least 25 years. BACHELOR DEGREE PROGRAMMES B3. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN COMMERCE (BCOM- HND) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions will be admitted to this programme; a.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy b.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Entrepreneurship & Finance B4. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN COMMERCE (BCOM- CoDE) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions will be admitted to this programme; a.Diploma in Commerce b.Final Certificate in Ghana Accounting Technician Examination (GAT)/ Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA) c.Part II of Professional Accountancy Examinations (ACCA, CIMA) from recognized Examination Body. d.ICA part II or 2B in the old system or ICA part III in the new system from recognized Examination Body B5. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES (BMS- HND) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions will be admitted to this programme; a.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Secretaryship & Management Studies b.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Bilingual Secretaryship and Management c.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy B6. 2-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES (BMS- CoDE) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions will be admitted to this programme; a.Diploma in Management Studies b.Diploma in Commerce B7. 2-YEAR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MARKETING (BMK) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions qualify for this programme; a.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing b.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Purchasing and Supply B8. 3-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES (3BMS) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions qualify for this programme; a.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Purchasing and Supply. b.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Marketing. c.Higher National Diploma (HND) Tourism & Hospitality Management. B9. 3-YEAR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN MARKETING (3BMK) Holders of any of the underlisted qualifications from recognized institutions qualify for this programme; a.Diploma in Management Studies. b.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Secretaryship & Management Studies. c.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Bilingual Secretaryship and Management. d.Diploma in Commerce. e.Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy. f.Higher National Diploma (HND) Tourism & Hospitality Management. SALE OF APPLICATION FORMS 1.The cost of a set of Scratch Card and prospectus for Direct admission to the Diploma and Degree in Education/Commerce/Management Studies/Marketing programmes is; (a)Ghana Nationals: One Hundred and Eighty Ghana Cedis (GH¢180.00). (b)Foreign Nationals : One Hundred US Dollars (US $ 100.00) 2.Mature Students Entrance Examination for admission to the Diploma in Basic Education/Psychology and Foundations of Education/ Mathematics and Science, Commerce, Management Studies Programmes which include the cost of Scratch Card, a Manual for the Preparatory Classes, Tuition and Examination Fee, is as follows: (a) Ghanaian Nationals: Two Hundred and Fifty Ghana Cedis (GH¢250.00) (b) Foreign Nationals: One Hundred and Twenty US Dollars (US $ 120.00) 3.Mode of payment. (a)Applicants can buy SCRATCH CARDS from the study centres using BANK DRAFT only, payable to the College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast and drawn from any of the following banks: i.Ghana Commercial Bank ii.Agricultural Development Bank (b)SCRATCH CARDS bought from the Regional/District Branches of Zenith Bank, Prudential Bank Ltd. Unibank and Ghana Post should be by CASH. The requisite application forms can be obtained from the following places: 4. (a) College of Distance Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast. (b) University of Cape Coast Accra Office at Tesano. (c) All Branches of Zenith Bank Ghana Ltd. (d) All Branches of Unibank Ghana Ltd. (e) All Branches of Prudential Bank Ltd. (f) All Regional and Major District Offices of GHANA POST. (g) Regional Offices and Study Centres of College of Distance Education: Ashanti -Kumasi Office (Tafo Nhyiaso), Obuasi (Obuasi Snr High Technical Sch), Offinso (Dwamena Akenten SHS), Simms, Asante Mampong Technical College of Education, Manso Abore SHS, KTI, WESCO, KASS, Kumasi T. I. AMASS; Brong Ahafo - Sunyani Office (Abesim, Asana Junction), Techiman SHS, Dormaa SHS, Hwidiem SHS, Kintampo SHS, Nkoranza SHS, Drobo SHS; Central – Swedru (SWESBU & SWESCO), Assin Foso (Obiri Yeboah SHS), Breman Asikuma SHS, Dunkwa-On-Offin (Boa Amponsem SHS), Kasoa (Ngleshi Amanfrom SHS), Twifo Praso SHS; Eastern - Koforidua Office (Okorase Junction 10), Oda (Attafuah SHS), Abetifi College of Education, Somanya Sec. Tech., Akwamuman SHS (Akosombo), Begoro Presec SHS; Greater Accra - Accra (Papafio Hills and Zenith College), Ada (Ada College of Education) Tema (Tema SHS); Dansoman (St. Margaret Mary Sec. Tech.) Northern -Tamale Office (Vittim), Gambaga (Gambaga Girls SHS); Salaga, Damongo; Upper East - Bolgatanga Office (Yikeni on the Navrongo Rd.), Navrongo, Zebilla; Upper West - Wa (Wa Sec), Tumu College of Education, Lawra, Nandom; Volta – Ho Office (Little Bethlehem), Akatsi (Akatsi College of Education), Jasikan (Jasikan College of Education), Hohoe (St. Teresa’s College of Education); and Western – Takoradi Office (Ntankorful), Tarkwa (Fiaseman SHS), Enchi College of Education, Nsein SHS, Bibiani SHS, Sefwi Dabiso SHS. Note the following: The closing date for sale of application forms is 4th March, 2017. 1.All online applications should be submitted online. Duly submitted applications will have application numbers auto generated. 2. The confirmation page should be printed and submitted together with photocopies of certificates, results slips/transcripts to the centre where scratch cards were purchased soon after submitting online. Application numbers should be quoted when communicating with the College. 3.Keep photocopies of the confirmation page and scratch card for reference purposes. NB: Foreign applicants will pay their fees in US Dollars. REGISTRAR.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, has received a Colombian delegation, led by Her Excellency Claudia Turbay Quintero, the Colombian Ambassador to Ghana, at the Council Chamber. The delegation, which included the Vice-Chancellor of the Universidad del Rosario, Prof. Manuel Restrepo, called on the Vice-Chancellor to hold talks on how the two institutions could collaborate in the areas of mobility of staff and students, basic sciences, medicine and law. The rest are clinical practice of history, psychology and research. At the meeting, Prof. Manuel Restrepo used the opportunity to brief the Vice-Chancellor on the history of his university, which is 265 years. For his part, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah thanked the delegation for the visit. He noted that UCC was ready to collaborate with Universidad del Rosario in its areas of academic interest.
The Vice-Chancellor used the occasion to run the delegation through the activities of the five colleges in UCC. Prof. Ampiah said the signing of Memorandum of Understanding would enable the two institutions to hit the ground running to achieve mutual academic interest. In another development, the Director of Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPC), Dr. Kwesi Aning, has called on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah. The visit was to seek guidance from the University of Cape Coast on modules writing and content knowledge for the establishment of Distance Education.
Other areas are to engage the services of the University to train lecturers and facilitators of KAIPC in Peace Keeping and the review of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two institutions few years ago. Receiving the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor said the University was prepared to give KAIPC the requisite guidance and resource persons in the writing of the modules and content knowledge as regards the Distance Learning Programme. He added that the College of Humanities and Legal Studies has experts in Peace Keeping and will give the necessary training to facilitators and lecturers of KAIPC. The Vice-Chancellor stated that the mission of the visit of KAIPC to the University be incorporated into the existing Memorandum of Understanding.
The Second lady of Ghana, Mrs. Samira Bawumia, has advised female students of the University to broaden their horizon and acquire valuable skills that can make them competitive globally.
“The woman’s place is at the top and it is time we take up the challenging role not just in our schools and communities but in our society” she said.
Mrs. Bawumia gave the advice when she delivered an address at the Students’ Representative Council 21st Century Woman Programme which was on the theme “Developing the 21st Century Woman as an Asset, towards A Common Future”. The event which was spearhearded by the SRC Vice President, Grace Naa Korkoi Amoah, brought together students especially females, current and newly elected SRC/Local NUGS executives, staff and some senior members of the University.
The Second Lady said it had been acknowledged globally, that women play very important roles towards the development of their countries. She noted that in Africa and in some developed countries, women continue to face worse conditions such as gender inequality, domestic violence, societal pressures and all forms of challenges that limit their ability to reach their full potential.
In spite of these hindrances, she noted that some African countries had made remarkable strides in empowering women by enacting legislation to create opportunities for women to take leadership roles at the national level. Some African countries have voted for women as their Presidents and Liberia and Malawi are examples, she said.
Mrs. Bawumia said it was a fact that women in leadership performed better than their male counterpart. “There is enough data that proves that women in leadership produce and provide better economic results so companies with women as leaders do better” she added.
She, therefore, encouraged the students “to dream big, make a difference in your communities, among your friends and wherever you find yourself.” “There are a lot of opportunities in the 21st century that were not available to our mothers and grandmothers,” she said.
“We cannot realize our aspiration without the right guidance; we need to get someone who will inspire us to rise up in life, “she told the students.
Mrs. Bawumia advised the students to seek opportunities for internships during semester breaks which would help them acquire experience to secure jobs after their education. She urged them to learn from other successful women saying “greatness is derived from lessons so take active lessons from the environment and what you see around you.
She told the students that they lived in a very fortunate era where there was advancement of technology and globalization. “This is the best time to take opportunities to solve problems of our time. With hard work, perseverance, selflessness, you can make it”, she concluded.
A legend musician, Akosua Agyapong, said the 21st Century woman was a great asset to society. She said the “woman has a bright future which is of immense benefit to the nation, so don’t waste your life whiles in the university.”
Miss Agyapong said to be able to succeed as a 21st Century woman, they should identify where they wanted to place their destiny in the future. “if your destiny is with a man, you cannot be a woman of substance” she said.
She said for a woman to be successful in life, she needed to pay particular attention to the man she entered into relationship with. She reminded the students of the meaning of the letters that form the word relationship “R-Respect, E-encourage, L-love, A-admire, T-treat, I-inspire, O-obey, N-nice, S-Spiritual, H-humble, I-important, P-patient”
She explained that the word woman represented a wise, organised, well maintained, adorable and neat personality.
Akosua Agyapong interspersed her address with some performance from her collection of songs to the admiration of the audience which kept Mrs Bawumia and the other dignitaries on their dancing feet.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, who chaired the function, said the history of Ghana would not be complete without proper reference to the woman.
“I have the notion that the challenge of corruption we are battling in this country particularly those relating to organisational management could be defeated if majority of women are at leadership positions” he noted.
Prof. Oduro said “When a woman is in charge of something, she thinks very deep before taking action. If a woman is in charge of money, it is difficult for a man to influence her”. He called on the students to take advantage of their education to become responsible future leaders of Ghana.
A senior lecturer at the Department of Conservation Biology and Entomology, Dr. Andreas Kudom, has called on stakeholders and policy makers to adopt new strategies on Malaria prevention through continuous research.
He noted that though a lot of resources had been invested into malaria prevention programmes, there had not been any significant decreases in cases of malaria in the country.
Dr. Kudom made this call at a lecture to commemorate the 2018 World Malaria Day which was on the theme “Living with Mosquitoes in Cape Coast: the Threats, Mitigation and the Role of Science”.
According to Dr. Kudom “Malaria is now location specific so we need data to help in its prevention”. He said knowledge by the general public on Malaria was good, however, most people were not aware of the vector which was the main source of the spread of malaria. He said in Cape Coast there were several breeding areas where vectors develop.
Dr. Kudom mentioned Abura, UCC Forest, remnant forests that house monkeys around Aggrey Memorial Senior High School and the Regional Coordinating Council. He said most of the remnant forests in Cape Coast had monkeys that harbour viruses like Yellow and Zika Fever, which could easily be transmitted to people living around these areas through mosquito bite.
The Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, Prof. Francis W. Ofei, who spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, pointed out that by 2016, African Region had 90% of Malaria cases and 91% of malaria death. “Malaria is a life threatening disease caused by parasite that is transmitted to people through a bite by female anopheles’ mosquito. What is important is that malaria is preventable,” he stated.
Prof. Ofei said that in Ghana, several interventions had been made to reduce the mortality and morbidity through malaria. He said the goal of the Ghana Malaria Programme was to reduce mortality and morbidity by 75% in 2020. “The use of Insecticide Treated Net (ITN), Malaria Case Management Training and Capacity Building all over the country is all part of the control and prevention,” he noted.
Prof. Ofei announced that “the World Malaria Vaccine will begin in 2018 and Africa will be one of the beneficiaries”.
In commemorating the 2018 World Malaria Day, he said the Department of Conservation Biology and Entomology in collaboration with the Ghana Science Association was focusing on the Malaria Control Situation in Cape Coast adding that “several research work on different aspect of Malaria Biology and their control in Cape Coast and its surroundings will be shared and hopefully, the appropriate policy makers will take action” he said.
The Department of Biomedical Sciences has organised the 3rd exhibition to showcase some products produced by undergraduate students to the general public.
Some products displayed at the exhibition were, variety of herbal tea, alcoholic beverages, soap, body lotion/cream, hair creams, fruit juices, Bissap and other natural products.
Welcoming guests to the exhibition, the Head of Department, Dr. Desmond Omane-Acheampong, said coming up with discoveries alone was not enough, rather they had to be transformed into products to the benefit of society. “Scientists have failed to transform their discoveries, they rather publish, and that does not readily affect lives in the society”. “We at the Department have decided to affect the society by producing natural products and this is our way of letting them know”.
This, according to Dr. Omane Acheampong would let students establish their own indigenous businesses after school and not chase after non-existent jobs. He disclosed that all their body creams were mosquito repellent and have also been certified to be of good quality.
He said the department was opened to collaboration and partnership from industry to enable them reach out to the larger market, this he believed would not confine their expertise to the university and academic circles.
The guest speaker, Mr. John Kumah, said such entrepreneurial and hands-on training provided by the Department, sought to change the paradigm of education in the country. “People go to school with the aim of getting their dream salaries, but this does not happen. What we forget is that the ability to create jobs lie within us. Most of you are in level 200, so if you learn the skills very well, you can change the paradigm of education in no time”.
“I have been to all campuses including KNUST, but what you are producing here is the best and I commend you for that”, he said.
Mr. Kumah who is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), said Government has set up a $10m fund to support such brilliant entrepreneurial initiatives and urged the students to believe in what they were doing.
He mentioned that, the government was promoting a policy to help young entrepreneurs below 35 years to apply to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for tax exemption for the first five years of setting up their businesses so as to rake in the savings into their business.
“Those who are starting should believe in what they are doing for government to help them. They can go international, that is beyond Ghana and explore the markets there. Whatever affects Nigeria for example affects Ghana, the market is available”, he urged the students.
He said: “we are also ready to partner you to set up and train you so that we can scale up your business to national level”. He concluded.
The Provost of the College of Education Studies, Prof. Eric M. Wilmot, who chaired the ceremony on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, commended the department for guiding the students to come up with natural products for local market.
He encouraged them to work hard to become a Centre of Plant Research and also reiterated the call on the students to explore possible means of marketing their products nationwide.
The Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA) has organised a training programme for first year M. Phil students who will be going on internship.
The programme dubbed “Executive Secretarial Practice’’ is a mandatory exercise for all M. Phil students of IEPA.
The decision to organise the event for prospective interns was based on reports from previous interns and an outcome of a tracer study that was undertaken by the Institute. The internship programme will span a six-week period and is expected to expose students to Memo and Report Writing; Minutes Taking, Minute Writing and Official or Letter Writing.
The Deputy Registrar at the School of Graduate Studies, Mr. Joseph C. Sefenu who was a resource person for the programme, said with the pre-internship preparation, it was expected that students would perform creditably during the period of internship. The prospective interns also expressed gratitude to the management of IEPA and the resource persons for “the great opportunity to learn”.
The immediate past Chairman of Senior Staff Association of the University of Cape Coast (SSAUCC) Mr. Daniel Egyir Arthur, has handed over to the 1st Vice Chairman, Mr. Charles Amos-Odoom, as the Acting Chairman of the Union.
Mr. Egyir has been elevated to the level of a senior member and, therefore, cannot hold any position in the SSAUCC according to the Union’s constitution.
In his address at the function, Mr. Egyir thanked members of SSAUCC for the support and cooperation accorded him as chairman of the Union. He said his vision for SSAUCC was to make it as one of the prominent unions on campus pointing out that “through the joint effort of my hardworking executives and members of SSAUCC we have achieved a lot and we are the most enviable and influential union on campus”.
Mr. Egyir said in past, the executives of SSAUCC was dominated by elderly people but after successfully winning elections to become first Vice Chairman and subsequently being elected as Chairman, has paved the way for young and dynamic members to occupy positions in the Union. He called on the executives to be united and fight for the welfare of members of the Union. “Our duty is to make our members happy as they work towards achieving the vision and mission of the University” he advised.
Mr. Egyir expressed gratitude to his wife for supporting him during difficult moments especially, during the period of the implementation of the single salary pay structure.
On his part, the Acting Chairman, Mr. Amos-Odoom, congratulated Mr. Egyir on his elevation and also commended him for living a lasting legacy in the SSAUCC. “Posterity will forever remember you for the good work you have done for SSAUCC”, he added.
The Acting Chairman called on the executives and members to rally behind him to build on the achievement of the immediate past chairman so that SSAUCC would continue to be a great union.
Mr. Egyir was presented with a citation and an undisclosed cash by the SSAUC and the TEWU-SSAUC Welfare Scheme.
A research fellow at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Mike Boakye-Yiadom has urged Ghanaian men to join in the fight against the sexual abuse of women across the world.
According to him, the issue of sexual harassment is on the rise and the agenda to kick against it must not be left for women only.
Speaking at a public lecture at Webster University on the #MeToo movement, Dr. Boakye Yiadom said sexual harassment policies within institutions must be implemented.
“Some men have sisters, some have spouses so if it’s about women, it’s also about men. Most victims are hesitant to report and many who report, prefer to speak with family and friends instead of law enforcement agencies. After almost twenty decades this hasn’t changed. There are some aspects of Ghanaian culture that make it difficult for victims to report. Almost every university and all the colleges of education in Ghana have sexual harassment policies which must be implemented,” he noted.
A psychologist, Dr. Funke Baffour, bemoaned the culture in Africa which prevents the voices of women from being heard.
According to her, statistics have shown that every twenty-six seconds a woman in Africa is sexually abused.
“These statistics are only ten years old. How many people have the voice? We are living on a continent where your voices are not allowed to be heard. The voices of women are not heard because if you talk you won’t get married, be a good wife, be good women and you will be accused of bringing shame on to the family.”
Chair of African Diplomacy at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Yolanda Spies says the Africans continent must embrace the fight which has been tag METOO campaign.
Dr. Spies believes the campaign must involve people from all walks of life, hence it must evolve from #METOO to #USTOO.
“My plea is that the #METOO movement which has gone such a long to inspire women not just in the United States but across the globe should be embraced. Also the #USTOO movement must be embraced. We must make this our problem and not a man versus woman problem. Its problem of humanity, we must teach our children, girls or boys to respect themselves and treat others with the same respect.”
A radio host, Esther Armah, blamed the media for the increasing cases of sexual abuse. According to her, a notion has created that females are responsible for the sexual arousal of men.
“What manifests in the media is the notion women and girls are responsible for the sexual feelings of men so if a man is arouse meaning a woman caused it and that it the narrative that permeates by which these stories are treated by radio hosts, producers, camera crews and writers. The challenge is the places of authority also dominates the way in which these stories are told and we know because of these high profile stories that do come to us, the issue at Ejisuman SHS is one where teachers sexually harass female students,” she said.
The first Joint University of Cape Coast and the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom, Conference has been held on the theme “University’s Leadership Role in Promoting Entrepreneurship Education and Training in Africa”.
Graduate unemployment has become a global issue especially for Africa where due to the non-existing job opportunities and the mismatch between the quality of products from universities and the skill requirements from the world of work. Most educational institutions also do not consciously help develop the entrepreneurial and technology innovative skills of their students whilst they are in the university.
Moreover, majority of the courses on African entrepreneurs lack progression arrangements that would enable the student and the tutor to have opportunities to develop further and acquire higher level of leadership and business skills.
It is in this light that the University of Cape Coast in collaboration with the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, and their associates, namely Mahatma Gandhi University, Kigali, Rwanda; Botho University, Gaborone, Botswana; and Crawford University, Lagos, Nigeria, organised the conference to discuss practical ideas and guidance needed to reduce unemployment and employability of graduates, and transform the prospects of current and potential entrepreneurs by equipping them with world-class skills, knowledge and drive to develop further into robust entrepreneurs, who will establish sustainable businesses.
The conference equipped participants with skills and tools needed to create viable jobs as well as deepened the entrepreneurial mind-set in Africa through the establishment of business incubation units in universities. It further provided the platform to promote entrepreneurship culture, share best practices and build stronger links between academia and private sector organisations in the United Kingdom and Africa.
The Conference which was held at the Institute of Education Conference Room discussed “The role of Entrepreneurship in Employment Creation”; The Role of Action-Based Entrepreneurship Research. The conference equipped participants with world-class tools for further development using business incubators and hubs as well as creating network opportunities among themselves.
Speakers for the Conference were Mr. Ato Van-Ess, of the Sekondi Chamber from Commerce, Western Region who spoke on the topic “Economic Policies, the Private Sector and Job Creation Strategies; Dr. Rumbi Mukonoweshuro from the University of Plymouth also made a presentation on “The Entrepreneur’s Mind-Set: Be a Problem Solver, Experiences of Creating the Cost Carbon Calculating Tool”.
Others were Prof. Hay Al-Dajani from the University of Plymouth who gave a video presentation on “Enterprise in Displacement: Refugee Women in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey”; Prof. Rosemond Boohene & Prof. Daniel Agyapong from UCC presented on the topic “Role of Entrepreneurship in an Economy: An Emerging Country Context” whilst Prof. Victoria Hurth from University of Plymouth spoke about “Entrepreneurship is an Act of Leadership”.
The Department of Optometry in collaboration with Vision Aid Overseas(VAO) has organised an eye screening exercise for four communities in the Central Region.
Residents of Abakrampa, Komenda, Jukwa and Esuekyir benefitted from the screening exercises. The team screened more than 2, 000 residents from these communities for various eye diseases. Some were presented with spectacles whilst those with serious eye defects such as cataract and glaucoma were referred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for further examinations and treatment.
In an interview with the Head of Department of Optometry, Dr. Emmanuel Kwasi Abu, said the outreach programme formed part of the collaboration between UCC and VAO. He said the University through the Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) three years ago to work with VAO through outreach programmes, training and exchange of both staff and students.
Dr. Abu said for the past two years, the organisation had been sending volunteers from the United Kingdom to join faculty and students of the Department to conduct outreach programmes in some communities in the Central Region. “These volunteers are specialists in the field of Optometry and Ophthalmology who come to UCC to share their expertise with us and also join our team for the outreach programmes” he explained.
Dr. Abu noted that VAO was a Non-Governmental Organisation based in the United Kingdom with the mission of eradicating poverty through providing access to eye care services in developing countries. He explained that the organisation had been training health professionals in Ghana and countries where they operate.
On her part, the Leader of the VAO team, Dr. Ruth Davies, said they were pleased to be working with faculty and students of UCC. “We have come to offer our services and experiences but we have also learnt some techniques from our UCC partners,” she said. She noted that the practice of Optometry in Ghana was similar to the UK. She called on people to visit the hospital regularly to examine their eyes since cataract and glaucoma were the dominant eye diseases they detected through the screening.
The Assembly member for the Esuekyir Electoral Area, Mr. Vincent Woode, was elated for the professional manner in which they were offering the free eye screening. “A woman who was just screened told me that she has been referred to Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for treatment and this shows that they are professionals”, he added.
Mr. Woode appealed to the University and VAO to make the screening exercise a yearly affair since residents and traditional leaders were appreciative of the services rendered to them.