The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar India. The agreement would, among other provisions, strengthen the capacity of faculty members in UCC’s Department of Forensic Sciences and offer advanced training opportunities for Ghanaian students in the field of forensics. A key feature of the agreement is the establishment of an Institute of Forensic Sciences at UCC. The Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) is the world’s first and only University dedicated to Forensics and Allied Sciences, with an objective of training forensic experts to meet their increasing demand in India and globally. GFSU is a State University with advanced and specialized postgraduate academic programmes. The Director General (Vice-Chancellor) of GFSU, Dr. J.M. Vyas who is also the Director of the Gujarat State Directorate of Forensic Sciences, a state-of-the-art ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited laboratory of international repute – expressed his excitement with the collaboration and the prospects of helping UCC build a Forensic Institute that could serve as a Centre of Excellence in Forensic Science education for the West African sub-region and by extension, Africa. He emphasized the need to train students and build capacity of law enforcement officers and personnel in the judicial services to expedite crime prevention, prosecution and management. The University of Cape Coast was represented by a three-member delegation led by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor George K.T. Oduro. Other members were Dr. Richmond Afoakwah, the head of Forensic Sciences Department, and Mr. Dan Osei Mensah Bonsu, an Assistant Lecturer of the Department. Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oduro appreciated the collaborative gesture of GFSU. He further noted that the difficulty faced by Ghana´s judicial system was due to limited expertise in forensics. Citing the Melcom disaster and recent market fires for which Ghana sought expertise from Israel and the US, he recounted the huge costs involved in such an approach, and the attendant difficulty of potentially revealing sensitive national intelligence to foreign experts. In his opinion, most criminal cases still pending in Ghana’s courts would have been easily adjudicated but for lack of adequate forensic evidence. Prof. Oduro reiterated management’s commitment to the promotion of quality forensic sciences education in UCC and emphasized that resourcing the Forensic Sciences Department is a priority for management. “We are very positive that this MoU would help us collaborate in areas of mutual interest in forensics, and we hope to tap your expertise to build forensic and investigative services in Ghana to a level of an enviable international repute”, Prof. Oduro stressed. On his part, Dr. Afoakwah indicated that he was “very optimistic of the success of this partnership with the only forensic science university in the world” and would “work hard to achieve all objectives spelt out in the MoU”. Other officials of GFSU who witnessed the signing of the MOU were the Registrar, Mr. Shri Chhatrapalsinh D. Jadeja, the Director of the Institute of Forensic Science, Dr. M.S. Dahiya, the Deputy Director, Directorate of Forensic Science (Home Department, Government of Gujarat) and the International Academic Advisor (GFSU), Mr. Ravish Shah.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, has stressed the need to encourage the study and speaking of French in Ghana to enhance the country’s international image.  He noted that “It is unfortunate that Ghana is surrounded by Francophone countries, but most Ghanaians have not taken advantage of the French language”                                              The Pro-Vice-Chancellor made these remarks during the climax of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Centre International de Recherchés et d’Etude de Langues, Village du Benin (CIREL-VB) in Lome, Togo. CIREL-VB, established in July 1968, has been hosting Ghanaian students pursuing French in the University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba and some Colleges of Education for immersion programme for the past 40 years. Students from CIREL-VB also undertake four-week English Language course in June and July at UCC during the long vacation. Impact of CIREL-VB to Institutions in Non-French Speaking Countries Prof. Oduro acknowledged the immense contributions of CIREL to meet the needs of non-French speaking sister countries across the continent. He expressed the gratitude of the Government of Ghana to CIREL for providing a congenial environment and a team of dedicated faculty and staff to meet the academic and social needs of Ghanaian students during their stay in Togo. He assured the Director General and the entire Management of CIREL-VB of its partner institutions’ continued collaboration in teaching and research to enhance opportunities for a successful integration of citizens the two sister countries Making reference to the long standing relationship between CIREL-VB and UCC spanning over four decades, Prof. Oduro noted that the collaboration has led to the successful training of more Ghanaian students serving the nation at various levels and positions where French language was an added advantage in their career development. Prof. Oduro said  there had been research and exchange arrangements at the levels of faculties to facilitate collaborative research activities across our borders. “Such activities help to enhance the international image and outlook of our institutions, build and promote good neighbourliness for accelerated regional integration, economic and socio-political developments, peace and sustainable human security” he noted. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor said UCC was happy to be associated with the activities of CIREL-VB and thanked the Centre for selecting UCC to speak on behalf of sister institutions in Ghana working with CIRELYOU’RE “Your recognition is historically justified taking cognisance of the fact that these sister institutions trace their origin to the University of Cape Coast who mentored them at their inception” he stated. Prof. Oduro was accompanied by the Head, Department of French, Dr Mawuloe K. Kodah to represent UCC at the event. In his welcome address, the Director General of CIREL-VB, Professor Martin D. Gbénouga, expressed appreciation to all participants. He presented the historical journey of the Centre from its establishment in 1968 to present day. He paid glowing tributes to his predecessors for their immense contributions toward success story of the CIREL-VB. Professor Gbénouga also recognized the tremendous support of various partner institutions. Special mention was made of the Embassy of France in Lomé, Francophonie, The Canadian High Commission in Lomé, the Governments of Ghana and Nigeria who have, through diverse ways, kept faith with CIREL-VB over the years. Meeting with UCC students As part his visit, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dr. Kodah met UCC French students on the 2018/2019 Year Abroad programme at CIREL-VB. He encouraged them to be good ambassadors of UCC and Ghana during their stay in Togo. Prof Oduro also reminded the students of the need to remain focused on their goals and have faith in whatever they believe and profess, and they would be successful. He shared his own life-story to motivate them to aim high and be dedicated to the pursuit of honesty and fairness in what they do. On their part, they students were grateful to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for interacting with them. They commended the Vice-Chancellor and Management for the good work they were doing to keep UCC stable for academic work to continue, in the wake of students’ in some universities in Ghana.    Date of event: Friday, October 26, 2018