Access to clean water remains a major challenge for millions of people around the world, including Ghana.
It is in the light of this, that the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) of the University of Cape Coast, in partnership with Friends of the Nation (FoN) marked World Water Day in the Shama District in the Western Region on 22nd March 2023.
MALNET PROJECT
The celebration forms part of activities of the Marine Litter Network (MALNET) project being implemented by ACECoR together with partners from three Africa Centres of Excellence, government agencies and Non-governmental Organisations in Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Benin. The Network is funded by the Association of African Universities with the aim to promote regional partnerships to understand the marine litter menace through research and galvanise stakeholder actions towards the conservation of coastal and marine environments.
World Water Day
The celebration themed “The Role of the Community in Accelerating Change to Solve Water and Sanitation Crises” sought to contribute to ongoing awareness activities on the growing challenges associated with water pollution and the need for water preservation in the country – contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6.
As part of activities for the day, the partners engaged community members and school children in a clean-up exercise along the Apo beach.
Importance of Water
Addressing community members and participants after the clean-up exercise, Ms. Esinam Attipoe- an Assistant Research Fellow at ACECoR, who doubles as the Project Coordinator, underscored the importance of water as a resource for the survival of living organisms, including human beings and urged the public to protect water resources. She called on residents to desist from defecating and throwing household waste on the beach.
Ms. Esinam Attipoe educating participants after the clean-up exercise
The day was climaxed with a durbar at Abuesi Methodist Basic School at Shama with drama performances, poetry recitals and quiz competition by students to further drum home the need to sustainably use and manage aquatic resources for current and future generations.
A performance by students of Abuesi Methodist Basic School at the durbar
The event was graced and supported by both government and private institutions such as the Shama District Assembly, Environmental Protection Agency, National Disaster Management Organisation and Ecozoil Ghana Company Limited.
The ACECoR team with partners and students of Abuesi Methodist Basic School after the durbar
A technical mission of Japanese experts visited Ghana,to deepen the cooperation between Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), University of Cape Coast and Japan.
The Japanese delegation and staff from ACECoR visited several coastal sites including the Volta River estuary where they explored areas of cooperation; and the Anlo Beach for a joint topographic survey to better understand the challenges.
ACECoR and Japan Partnership under WACA Knowledge Hub
The visit was in line with the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between Japan Infrastructure Development Institute (IDI) and ACECoR under the West Africa Coast Areas Management Program (WACA) to groom the next generation of innovators.
Under the agreement ACECoR’s mandate is to promote the sustainable management and use of coastal environment. This would be done through training and conducting demand-driven research to support coastal policy development in Africa.
In line with the MoA, IDI will collaborate with ACECoR to make experiences, knowledge and technologies on coastal erosion, flood and sediment management available to West Africa countries.
As an island nation with 75% of its land covered by mountains, Japan boosts a rich experience in Integrated Sediment Management that considers coasts, mountains, and rivers. Activities under the partnership will include knowledge exchange, research studies, training programme, expert dispatch, short courses and academic cooperation between Japanese relevant organisations and ACECoR.
Through the partnership an online workshop on “Integrated Sediment Management in WACA Countries” was organized with regional partners in May 2022 to build awareness on the issue. About 80 participants from different WACA countries participated.
Additionally, Professor Yoshimitsu Tajima of the University of Tokyo gave a lecture to ACECoR researchers and students on a rapid assessment of Ghana coasts and future prospects based on coastal engineering.
The Director of ACECoR, Prof. Denis W. Aheto described the visit as very relevant to the to achieving the aims of the agreement.
“I thank the Japanese team for coming a long way to Ghana and I hope future cooperation will lead to long-term human resource development” Prof. Aheto noted.
Sediment issues
One might think that beach erosion is caused by direct forces such as high waves or rising sea level. In reality, the root cause is often human activities: Interruption of downstream sediment transport caused by sediment deposition in dam reservoirs and excessive river sand mining, reduce sediment supply to the coast.
To address coastal erosion and other coastal issues, it is essential to take an integrated approach from the river catchment to the coast. In West Africa specifically, effective and sustainable solutions cannot be taken without looking at the root causes in upstream areas.
Deepening the collaboration
Based on the lessons learned from the site visits, the teams agreed to prepare a concrete plan for future cooperation. This includes cooperation to strength modern research; building the educational capacity of ACECoR on Integrated Sediment Management and especially on coastal engineering; and applying for a joint research project on Integrated Sediment Management.
Source:
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, has called for the assistance of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to protect the Univeristy of Cape Coast's lands from encroachment.
Prof. Boampong noted that the University was rapidly expanding with the construction of infrastructural facilities to complement the increase in enrolment of students.
Prof. Boampong made the call when the national executives of GBA paid a working visit to the University as part of preparations for the 2023 Ghana Bar Conference to be held at UCC campus in September this year.The Vice-Chancellor was of the believe that the intervention of GBA would help the University to achieve its mandate of providing quality teaching, research and extension services for the development of the nation.
Prof. Boampong noted that the University was a great asset to the people of Cape Coast because of the limited number of industries in the metropolis.
"The Ghana Bar Association has been at the forefront defending the rights and liberties of people and also consolidating Ghana's democracy over the years. We believe that your advocacy will help preserve UCC's lands and prevent it from further encroachment," he appealed.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the executives of GBA for choosing UCC for the conference. He expressed optimism that the conference would add colour and enhance the visibility of the University.
"We pride ourselves as the University of Competitive Choice and this is evident in the ranking of UCC as the Top ranked University in Ghana and West Africa as well as the 4th in Africa by the prestigious Times Higher Education," he stressed.
For his part, the President of GBA, Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, was grateful to the Vice-Chancellor for granting the request of the association to host the 2023 conference.
Mr. Boafo explained as a follow up on previous discussions, the executives embarked on the visit inspect facilities on campus that would be used for the upcoming conference in September, 2023.
President of GBA, Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo
Acompanying the President of GBA were the National Vice-President of GBA, Mr. Amoako Agyeir; Secretary, Gyau Baffoe; Welfare Officer, Mr. Eugene Larbi; Central Regional President, Mr. Adu Yeboah and Central Regional Secretary, Mr. Daniel Arthur.
Present at the meeting were the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene; Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame and Senior Assistant Registrar at the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Office, Mr. Alfred Ghartey.
Four students of the Department of Vocational and Technical Education (VOTEC) who represented the University of Cape Coast (UCC) at the International Fashion Challenge were adjudged the overall winners of the competition.
The students were Ms. Benneta Ewuraba Baisie, Ms. Lois Benewa Eshun, Ms. Francisca Dadzie, Ms. Trypheana Annan, and Ms. Abigail Aggrey.
For their awards, they were presented with €300 Amazon voucher from the sponsors, and certificates of achievement for securing the first position. The Department of VOTEC, representing the University of Cape Coast, and coaches of the students were also acknowledged with certificates of appreciation.
Moira Louise Fashion Challenge Winners
The competition also known as “Moira Louise Fashion Challenge” was organised by Westminster University and Moire-Louise Fashion Brand to challenge conventional ways of designing outfits.
Students from each of the competing universities designed three garments for women and/or men (formal wear, garden wear, and evening wear) with emphasis on fusing Western and African cultures with a marketing/entrepreneurship mix.
Out of the numerous institutions that participated in the competition globally, six universities: University of Cape Coast; University of Ilorin, Nigeria; University of Westminster, United Kingdom; Minna University of Technology, Nigeria; Kumasi Technical University, Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana made it to the final stages.
At the national level, four students of the VOTEC who represented UCC at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) 2023 Food Festival Competition took the second position.
Food Festival Competition 2nd position winners
The students were Ms. Agnes Kambar, Ms. Lily Tawiah, Ms. Sandra Kafui Voyehor, Ms. Grace Esinam Arku, and Mr. Israel Siada Daitey.
Products presented at the competition by the UCC team were: yam pasta, plantain biscuits, cassava shortbread, taro, whole maize, and brown rice cookies.
After assessment of the products, the yam pasta was adjudged the most innovative product and won the second position with a cash prize of GHC 1,500. Each of the participants received a certificate and a customised mug and scarf as souvenirs.
The competition was aimed at encouraging the development of healthy, tasty, creative, and innovative food products of commercial viability using local tubers.
The competition was open to all African students in tertiary, secondary, and vocational institutions.
From the twenty-five (25) applications received for the competition, only ten (10) applicants from five institutions that met the criteria were shortlisted to move to the next stage of the competition including four out of the five applicants from UCC.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, who received the award winners at the Council Chamber, commended them for their efforts and also for making UCC proud.
Prof. Boampong expressed gratitude to the members of staff that coached the students for the good work done.
“Since I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor, I have been very proud of the successes of our staff and students at international and national competitions. There is no doubt that UCC is the best institution when it comes to education so I am particularly excited that students from the College of Education Studies (CES) are making us very proud with these awards,” he asserted.
Prof. Boampong called on the College to develop additional onnovative science and technology education related-programmes to support the education sector and the development of the nation.
Present at the presentation ceremony were the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Rosemond Boohene; Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame; Provost, College of Education Studies, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis; Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwah; Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology Education, Prof. Douglas D. Agyei; Vice-Dean, Dr.Christina Boateng Head, Department of VOTEC, Dr. (Mrs.) Patience Danquah Monnie and some senior members of the Department of VOTEC.
Oguaa Hall has won the women's category of the 2023 Inter- Hall Cross Country competition held at Casford Field, amassing 52 points.
Valco Hall also won the men's category of the Inter-Hall competition, with 34 points.
The10-kilometre race, organised by the Sports Section of University of Cape Coast, was aimed at selecting formidable athletes to represent UCC at the upcoming Inter-University Cross-Country at the University of Ghana from 30th March to 4th April, 2023.
The Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Emmanuel Onyame, congratulated the athletes for their sportsmanship.
He also urged all athletes, especially those who were accorded the special privilege of representing the University in various disciplines at the 2023 Inter-University Cross-Country at the University of Ghana to remain focused and go all out to bring honour to UCC.
The Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee-UCC, Dr. Daniel Apaak, in his address, commended the participants for the excellent display of skills and endurance during the competition.
He encouraged the athletes to win laurels for UCC at the upcoming inter- University Cross Country at the University of Ghana.
Inter-Hall Cross-Country results at a glance:
Women's Category
1st - Oguaa (52 points)
2nd - Adehye (63 points)
3rd - Valco (83 points)
4th - KNH (122 points)
Men's Category
1st - Valco (34 points)
2nd - KNH (78 points)
3rd – Oguaa (97 points)
4th - ATL (176 points)
Six (6) athletes of Caseley Hayford (Casford) Hall failed to finish the race to score marks for the Hall.
Going by the rulebook of the competition, halls are supposed to earn marks after six of their athletes complete the race.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The School of Nursing and Midwifery of University of Cape Coast has held a farewell dinner in honour of faculty and students of Kirkhof College of Nursing, Grand Valley State University in the United States of America.
The students and faculty were in the University of Cape Coast to understudy Ghana’s Healthcare System.
The team leader of the delegation, Prof Susan Strouse, in a remark during the event, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and love shown them by Ghanaian healthcare workers and faculty of the UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery.
She said her delegation of students and faculty had learnt a lot about the Ghanaian healthcare system.
Prof. Strouse, therefore, applauded the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the School of Nursing and Midwifery-UCC for the palpable impact on healthcare quality and outcomes.
Some members of the Grand Valley State University delegation (adorned in kente stoles) in a photo with Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery-UCC, Dr. Nancy Ebu Enyan and other UCC students
For her part, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery-UCC, Dr. Nancy Ebu Enyan, encouraged the delegation to share the positive stories of the Ghanaian Healthcare system with their compatriots.
She also thanked the Internationalisation Committee of the School for the good work.
On behalf of the School, Dr. Nancy Ebu Enyan presented a citation to Prof. Susan Strouse.
Prof. Strouse also presented mementos to Dr Nancy Ebu Enyan and faculty of the School of Nursing.
Present at the dinner were the Dean of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, the Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, Prof. Sebastian Eliason, as well as faculty and students of the School.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Medical and Dental Council (MDC) has concluded its assessment of training facilities and academic programmes of the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS).
During the visit, the MDC team met with Management of UCC and the faculty of SMS.
At the conclusion of its mission, the team, led by Prof. Emmanuel Addo-Yobo, commended the good works of the UCCSMS and highlighted some challenges militating against the School.
Prof. Emmanuel Addo-Yobo leader of the team from MDC
He expressed the hope that the School would put in its best to address the challenges to enhance medical education in Ghana.
For her part, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rosemond Boohene, expressed gratitude to the MDC team for the assessment and noted that the University would work tirelessly to iron out the challenges highlighted in its preliminary report.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene
"You are here to help us improve on our medical training; hence we will take into consideration all your assessments," she succinctly added.
Dean, School of SMS, Prof. Sebastian Eliason
She lauded the leadership of SMS for the good work done and assured them of management's support to address the problems.
The Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof Martins Ekor, the Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, Prof. Sebastian Eliason, as well as SMS faculty were present at the meeting.
Some faculty from SMS at the exit meeting
The School of Business has organised the second edition of its Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) programme to engage with the corporate world.
The event was aimed at deepening the relationship between academia and industry to provide entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for students.
The second edition of the programme featured the Head of Strategy and Transaction at EY Ghana, Mrs. Alice Osei Okrah and CEO of Think3ice LBG, Mrs. Yvonne Dzotsi.
Presenting on the topic: " Infusing Environmental, Social Governance" Mrs. Alice Osei Okrah, explained the need for students to take Environmental, Social and Governance(ESG) seriously in their business endeavours, asking them to enrol in ESG courses.
"ESG is a set of standards that checks how the operations of companies impact on the environment, how employees are treated and how companies uphold corporate governance," she explained.
Head of Strategy and Transaction at EY Ghana, Mrs. Alice Osei Okrah
Mrs. Okrah pointed out that ESG had become core part of the world of business and insisted that students should leverage on it to build their professional capacities.
To her, it was essential for the School of Business to introduce ESG into its curriculum to imbibe the ESG agenda in students.
She explained that hordes of people in the business industry had adopted and integrated ESG strategies into their business operations.
A section of students at the programme
Mrs. Okrah admitted that ESG was expensive in the short term, however, she was quick to add that there were numerous benefits in the long term.
She disclosed that the Bank of Ghana and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had launched special guidelines to check agencies under them, stressing that, " ESG enhances resource efficiency and sustainable production and consumption and financial institutions look favorably on entities with such policies."
Mrs. Okrah pointed out that goals 16 and 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) fit into the ESG principles.
For her part, the CEO of Think3ice LBG, Mrs. Yvonne Dzotsi, who presented on:" Skills for Job Skills for Development”, emphasised the need for students to develop both hard and soft skills to fit into the competitive job market.
According to her, employers were no longer interested in academic certificates of job seekers, but considered the requisite skills of job hunters as the basis for engaging new staff.
"There are millions of students who are just as intelligent as you are. But what is going to make you stand out is the skill you have. You can attain various skills online and by attending workshops. Employers are not looking for certificates now, that is old school.," she added
The Dean of the School of Business, Professor John Gatsi, in his welcome address, reiterated the commitment of the School to develop the right skills of students for the job market.
He said the School had placed premium on internships to equip students with the required work experience.
He, therefore, appealed to industry stakeholders to support the School with internship opportunities to enable students to improve and develop their skills to meet their expectations.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rosemond Boohene, encouraged the students to build networks with business magnates to open chances for them in the business world.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rosemond Boohene