Search

Dr. Quist Calls for Support for Special Education

06 Jul, 2017 By louis Mensah

An Assistant Principal at a Montgomery County Public Schools, USA, Dr. Faustina Quist, has called on Ghanaians to intensify awareness on special education in Ghana. "Special education has come to stay. But the awareness is not there. We can start from somewhere. It is a process,” she noted. Dr. Quist noted that in the USA, stakeholders put a premium on the thirteen disabilities areas identified under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Act, according to Dr. Quist, ensured that services were provided to children with disabilities, from aged zero to thirty-one. However, in Ghana, she expressed disquiet that much attention was being given to autism, deaf and dumb to the detriment of other disabilities. Dr. Quist made the observations when she delivered a paper on “Enhancing the Field of Special Education” at a day’s sensitisation seminar organised by the Department of Special Education under Faculty of Educational Foundations. She said children with special needs could be productive in every sector of the economy when they are given the requisite skills. she, therefore, advised parents who have children with disabilities not to abandon them to beg for alms. Dr. Quist explained to participants the systematic instructional methods of teaching kids with special needs in the classroom. She said the method of instruction for children with special needs was different from that of "normal" students adding, “if you have a child suffering from autism and you are like I need you to put this pencil here, I need you to sit down, etc. what you have to know is that the autistic child needs to process and organise what you said to him in his brain for a few seconds.” She urged special education institutions to take advantage of technology to teach students with disabilities, to facilitate learning. Dr. Quist called on authorities at Special Needs Centers to involve parents, regarding their wards education. The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Eric Nyarko Simpson, in a brief remark, commended Dr. Quist for the lecture and added that the Department's doors were open for both local and international collaboration.  

News

UCC Basic School Presents Trophies to Pro-Vice-Chancellor

06 Jul, 2017 By louis Mensah

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) Basic School has presented the trophies it won at the just ended University Basic Schools Sports Association (UBaSSA) Games to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K.T. Oduro. The Headmistress of UCC JHS, Mrs. Kate Frimpong, led the sports team to present the trophies to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The 2017 edition of UBaSSA games, hosted by the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) at Tarkwa, saw athletes from basic schools of University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and University of Cape Coast (UCC) participating. Participating Schools competed in soccer, athletics (100, 200, 400 and 4×100 meters) and field events (long jump and high jump). Briefing the Pro-Vice-Chancellor on the Games, a tutor at the Basic School, Mr. Ansah Obeng, said the team faced inclement weather at Tarkwa but they remained resolute throughout the competition. "During one of the races," Mr. Obeng recounted, “one athlete – a female - fell but she was able to rise and overtake her competitors to win the 400 meters”. On Soccer, he indicated that the female players of the school emerged winners while their male counterparts were runners up. Again, he said, the boys and girls won bronze and silver respectively at the primary levels. He assured the University that the team would continue to work hard with determination to achieve more laurels for the school. For his part, Pro-Vice-Chancellor commended the team for the discipline, teamwork and tenacity of purpose exhibited during the games. He entreated them to sustain the attitude, adding that they had done themselves, the Basic School and the University, proud. He urged the team to continue to work hard and replicate the sterling performance in the 2018 edition of the UBaSSA Games, which would be held at UCC. He advised the students to equally take their studies seriously in order to achieve academic excellence. Prof. Oduro pledged management’s continuous support for the team and praised the teachers for their extraordinary commitment, hard work and immense contribution to the development of sports in the University. At the end of the competition, both UCC and UMAT won 2 trophies each, whilst KNUST bagged home a trophy, and UG went home without a trophy. In a related development, the Basic School has won the 2017 Regional Scripture Union Super Zonal Bible Quiz contest. The School was presented with a shield as its prize. For his part, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K.T. Oduro, praised the participants for their remarkable feat. He advised them to allow the Bible govern every facet of their lives to ensure progress in happiness.

UCC will Coexist Peacefully with Surrounding Communities-Pro Vice-Chancellor Assures Elders of Apewosika

06 Jul, 2017 By louis Mensah

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro has underscored the University’s commitment to coexist peacefully with communities surrounding University of Cape Coast, UCC. Prof. Oduro said the communities provide accommodation for both staff and students of the University, adding “whatever affects the communities has consequences on the University”. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor made these statements when he granted audience to elders of Apewosika Community. He assured the elders that management of the University would always open its doors for them and urged them to advise the youth of the community not to rush to the media on issues concerning the University. He made reference to a recent news report on one of the television networks where some youth of Apewosika accused the University for the leakage of liquid waste from a cesspit tank behind Atlantic Hall to the houses of some residents. Explaining further on the issue of the cesspit tank, Prof. Oduro said the University has procured materials to fix the cesspit tank and also construct drains at the affected areas. He added that staff of the Directorate of Physical Development Estate Management will soon begin work on the project to bring relief to people living close to Atlantic Hall. Speaking on behalf of the elders, Nana Nkwantabisa thanked Prof. Oduro for granting them opportunity to interact with the University delegation. He said the University had now become part and parcel of the Apewosika community, stressing that “some of our people are staff of the University and even our children are also studying here whilst those who are traders earn their source of income from students of the University”. He asked management of the University to forgive a section of the youth of Apewosika who recently demonstrated against the University. He noted that the elders had advised the youth of the community to channel their grievances on any issue through them. Some of the concerns raised by the elders at the meeting were payment of compensation, allocation of land for Apewosika Community Centre, scholarship for indigenes and diversion of drainage system. The elders were entreated to put their concerns into writing and also attach relevant documents where necessary. Present at the meeting were the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame, Director of Legal Consular and General Services, Director of Physical Development Estate Management, Mr. Philip Ntim. The other elders from Apewosika Community were Mr. Solomon Evans, Ebusuapanyin Kweku Essoun and Mr. Francis Nyame.

UCC Holds Maiden Alumni Reconnect

04 Jul, 2017 By louis Mensah

Hundreds of UCC past students gathered at the Aviation Social Centre in Accra for the maiden Alumni Reconnect. The colourful event, aimed at strengthening the linkages between the University and its alumni, brought together past students who completed the University in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and the 2000s. The programme, put together by the Institutional Advancement Office (IAO), witnessed variety of events and games, including UCC Parliamentary sitting, live band music, photo exhibition, experience sharing and networking. Another attraction was Agrofie show, hosted by Mr. David Dontoh, where participants from the four traditional halls engaged in mental gymnastics. As usual, the vociferous past members of “Jama” Groups of Casely Hayford and Atlantic Halls spiced up the event with tons of melodious “moral songs” amidst dancing and waving of hall flags, as some alumni remained on the sidelines feeling nostalgic about their heydays at the University. Addressing the ceremony, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K.T. Oduro, conveyed to the alumni the warmest greetings of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, who is outside the country for an official duty. He acknowledged the fact that alumni play a key role in advancing the University’s external agenda, which include reputation and funding. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor stressed that success and contributions of alumni define the future positions and ranking of the University and added that the University would not downplay the relevance of the alumni association in the discharge of its mandate. Accordingly, he reminded them not to hesitate to make meaningful inputs, contributions and suggestions towards repositioning the University in its untiring efforts to acclaim recognition worldwide. Clad in his UCC branded Alumni Reconnect shirt, Prof. Oduro indicated that between March 2016 and May 2017, the University inaugurated International Chapters of the UCC Alumni Association in Canada, UK and the USA. Prof. Oduro used the occasion to mention the remarkable developments on campus at both the administration and management levels, including the implementation of the Collegiate Systems and the upgrade of Divisions into Directorates. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who inspected a parade mounted in his honour, entreated the alumni to take advantage of the yearlong academic programmes -regular, sandwich and distance- offered by the University to enhance their professional knowledge and skills. He further enumerated some income-generating ventures set up by the University to complement the financial support from the government. For his part, the Coordinator of IAO, Mr. Solomon Faakye, took the alumni through the successes chalked up by the University since its inception in the 60s. He said the objectives of the IAO which was inaugurated in 2015, “is to maintain a database of Alumni, project fundraising as a key source of resource mobilisation for the University, develop programmes and initiatives that will strengthen alumni connections whilst encouraging lifelong support for their alma mater, amongst others”. As part of the event, a 10- minute documentary on the successes and challenges of the University was shown on a giant screen to the audience, whilst some alumni living abroad gave fraternal messages via Video conferencing. A solemn ceremony, led by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, was held for departed alumni at the event, which was chaired by Prof. Kofi Awusabo-Asare, the Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance.

Improve Teaching of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Educational Institutions

30 Jun, 2017 By louis Mensah

A call has been made to improve the teaching of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in educational institutions to ensure increased awareness of reproductive health among adolescents. This has become necessary because, the provision of accurate and comprehensive SRH education is necessary to ensure healthy sexual and reproductive lives for adolescents. The call was made at workshop to disseminate research findings on “Sexuality Education in Ghana: New Evidence from Three Regions” a study conducted by some faculty from the Department of Population and Health, UCC and researchers from Guttmacher Institute. The UCC faculty who participated in the study were Prof. Kofi Awusabo-Asare, Dr. David Teye Doku, Prof. Akwasi Kumi-Kyereme, Mr. Kobina Esia-Donkoh and Dr. Joshua Amo-Adjei whilst the researchers from Guttmacher Institute were Melissa Stillman, Sarach Keogh, Ellie Leong and Akinrinola Bankole. The study was sponsored by the Guttmacher Institute with grants from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Making a presentation on the research report, the lead researcher, Prof. Awusabo-Asare said the study was conducted in the Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo and Northern regions in 2015. He said few students reported learning about all topics related to contraception, gender and SRH rights, and interpersonal skills. He indicated that teachers believed that adolescents should be taught some issues relating to healthy sexuality. However, he noted that some messages conveyed to the students were reportedly fear-inducing and judgmental, emphasising that “sex is depicted to be dangerous and immoral for young people.” Touching on the recommendations of the study, Prof. Awusabo-Asare said there was the need to strengthen efforts to demystify and desensationalise sexuality among adolescents. The lead researcher called for continuous sensitisation of the community, teachers and school heads, in the provision of SRH education and related skills to adolescents. He also said there should be priority on comprehensive and rights-based focus to SRH education at the primary and junior high school levels to ensure that students receive essential age-appropriate information and skills prior to initiating sexual activity. Prof. Awusabo-Asare said the report also called for the introduction of wide range of topics in the core subjects of senior high schools, and investment in teaching and learning materials and other resources to promote SRH education for the healthy development of adolescents. Also, he said teachers should be adequately prepared to deliver accurate, appropriate and effective information to their students. He further emphasised the need for active engagement with key stakeholders including community opinion leaders and school boards regarding the current evidence relating to SRH education in order to improve support for teaching a broad range of topics that go beyond abstinence. The programme brought together some stakeholders like queen mothers, health workers, educationists, teachers and journalists. Stakeholders at the workshop called for a comprehensive policy that will prioritise the teaching of sexual and reproductive health education in schools. The workshop was chaired by the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh.

Vice-Chancellor Meets Unibank Delegation

30 Jun, 2017 By louis Mensah

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, has received a delegation from Unibank at the Council Chamber. The visit, according to the Head of New Business Department, Mr. Richard Anane, who led the delegation, was to congratulate Prof. Ampiah on his appointment and also explore possible areas of collaboration. He said the bank was committed to ensuring that the Vice-Chancellor achieved his vision for the University. Mr. Anane thanked the University for supporting the bank and gave the assurance that the bank would continue to deliver quality service to its customers on campus and provide them with innovative products that meet their needs. Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the bank for the business it had been doing with the University over the years. He, however, intimated that the University would open its doors wide to bank(s) which would offer competitive products and services to both staff and students. Earlier, a two-member delegation from UBA Bank called on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, at his office. The Deputy Managing Director of UBA Bank, Mr. Soni Anwal, indicated that the visit was to congratulate him on his inauguration as Vice-Chancellor and also find possible ways of doing business with the University. Mr. Anwal, on behalf of the bank, requested a parcel of land to put up a building to enable the bank to provide banking services to members of the University community.

University of Auburn Outreach Global hosts University of Cape Coast Graduate Students and Faculty Member

28 Jun, 2017 By louis Mensah

As part of the Auburn University Outreach Global partnership agreement with the University of Cape Coast, or UCC, Ghana, Outreach Global invited Michael Boakye-Yiadom, a research fellow at UCC in the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, and his two graduate students, Clarence Uzogara and Eleanor Onyame, to participate in the Outreach youth camp for a train-the-trainer program and service learning program at the Black Belt Community. The UCC guests were on Auburn’s campus from June 11-20. The purpose of the service learning program was to offer the UCC guests an opportunity to visit Selma to learn and understand poverty in a global context through interactions, research, reflections and journaling. The UCC participants are expected to use the experience to inform, practice and find innovative ways to address issues of poverty in UCC and communities in Ghana. With regard to the train-the-trainer youth camp program, the focus for the educational camp was for the UCC members to learn from Auburn faculty and staff on how summer camps are organized and managed. The goal is to replicate summer youth programs at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana next year. During the visit, the UCC guests met Auburn Vice President for University Outreach and Associate Provost Royrickers Cook; Elizabeth I. Essamuah-Quansah, coordinator for Outreach Global; Stacey Nickson, director of the Center for Educational Outreach and Engagement; Jeff Dyal, assistant director of youth programs; other Auburn faculty and staff; Selma Mayor Darrio Melton and the Black Belt Community Foundation officials in Selma. Credit: http://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/campus_notices/faculty_staff/2017/06/outreach-global-hosts-university-of-cape-coast-graduate-students-and-faculty-member-.htm

Director of Audit Donates Jerseys, footballs to University Primary and JHS

28 Jun, 2017 By louis Mensah

The Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, has presented two sets of Jersey, two footballs and two trophies each to the University Primary and Junior High Schools respectively towards the development of sports in the two schools. The donation was in response to an appeal made by the authorities at the University Primary to benevolent individuals for sporting kits to enable the school to participate in the University Basic Schools Sports Association (UBaSSA) Games in 2016. Making the presentation at the premises of the school, Mr. Owusu, who is a past student of the University Primary school, said the donation was to motivate the pupils to participate actively in sports. He stressed the need for the school pupils to be given the opportunity to develop their talents through exposure to extra curricula and academic work. The Director of Internal Audit, who was accompanied by some staff members of the Directorate, appealed to the pupils to learn hard to justify the huge parental investments being made in them in their academic pursuit. The Headmistress of the University Primary School, Mrs. Georgina Aglobitse, who received the items on behalf of the schools, thanked the donor for the kind gesture. She was optimistic the items would spur the two schools to win more laurels in all sporting activities. The Headmistress appealed to other past students of the schools, the general public and other corporate institutions to emulate the gesture by extending their Corporate Social Responsibilities to the Schools. Mrs. Aglobitse promised to use the items for the intended purpose so as to build the talents of the school children in sporting activities. The Headmistress of the Junior High School, Mrs. Kate Frimpong, as well as other teachers, was present during the ceremony. In a related development, the Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu, has presented a giant trophy to the Sports Section to be given to the winner of the 2017 Staff Soccer Competition. He said that the donation formed part of his contribution to the advancement of sports in the University. Receiving the item on behalf of the Section, the Head Coach of the Section, Dr. Daniel Apaak, commended Mr. Owusu for his immense contribution towards the development and progress of sports on campus. "In fact, when it comes to sports, this man (Mr. Owusu) is always there for us. We cannot talk about UCC Sports without mentioning his name," he said.

Your Promotion Hinges on Research-Dr. Adu-Yeboah advises College of Education Tutors

28 Jun, 2017 By louis Mensah

A Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Education, Dr. Christine Adu-Yeboah has entreated tutors of Ola College of Education (OLA-CoE) to develop their skills in research publication in order to progress in their academic career. Dr. Adu-Yeboah noted that with the elevation of the various Colleges of Education into tertiary status, tutors were expected to publish in credible peer reviewed journals in order to be promoted. “Just like the University, you either publish or perish and I am sure no one will want to perish”, she added. Dr. Adu-Yeboah made these statements when she delivered a presentation on research publication at a workshop for tutors of OLA-CoE. She indicated that the objective of the workshop was to build the capacity of tutors to publish research articles in peer reviewed journals. According to her, at the end of the workshop, participants would be expected to select researchable topics in their areas of expertise and start developing papers for publication in peer reviewed journals. She therefore, encouraged the tutors to send articles to the Institute of Education Flagship Journal of Educational Development and Practice (JED-P) adding that some tutors from other Colleges have already published their articles in this journal. Some of the component of publication articles discussed at the workshop were abstract, background to the study, review of related literature, theoretical framework, concept framework, purpose of study and research questions/hypothesis. Others included methodology, results, discussions, conclusions, recommendations and references. Giving an overview on publication research, Dr. Adu-Yeboah said unlike thesis, research articles are shorter in length and normally have between 1,000 to 12, 000 words. She explained that there are two main types of publications namely “empirical studies/research articles” and “position/viewpoint paper.” Explaining the guidelines for submitting manuscripts, she advised the tutors to observe the following: identify a credible journal to submit articles; correcting all errors especially grammatical and spelling mistakes and avoiding plagiarism. Participants had the opportunity to try their hands on some articles in their subject areas.

TEWU/SSAUCC Brass Band Launched

28 Jun, 2017 By louis Mensah

The Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) and Senior Staff Association of the University of Cape Coast (SSAUCC) Brass Band has been inaugurated with a call on members of the University community and the general public to patronize it. The immediate past Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Samuel Yeboah Mensah, who made the call, commended the two associations for introducing the Brass Band, which is the first of its kind by the two unions in the University. He stated that the two associations were extremely vibrant and have won the hearts of many on campus. “If you are looking for associations which perform creditably to win the hearts of everybody, then it is TEWU and Senior Staff Association (SSA),” he said. As a result, Prof. Mensah called on other associations to emulate the vibrancy of both TEWU and SSA. He stressed that “music is food for the soul and plays many roles in the lives of the poor, rich, downtrodden and wealthy in the society”. He entreated members of the Band to take good care of the instruments so that they would last longer. In a remark, the Chairman of TEWU, Mr. Stephen Williams, said the formation of the Band had saved the association the cost of hiring brass band to support its activities such as May Day celebrations and health walks and added that student groups, halls, and other unions would equally benefit from the services of the Brass Band. He advised members of the Brass Band to exhibit high sense of discipline, commitment and seriousness during rehearsals so they could play to the satisfaction of their clients. The Chairman of SSA, Mr. Daniel Egyir Arthur, for his part, said that the executives of the association would not dissipate resources but would prudently use the contributions of members to initiate tangible projects for the growth of the association. He noted the leadership of the associations would seek permission from the management to enable members of the band to perform at programmes during working hours. He however, admonished them not to use such periods for their personal gains. The two associations unanimously made Prof. Samuel Yeboah Mensah the patron of the Band due to his unflinching support for the two unions.

Pages