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Construction Work on CoDE Eastern Regional Study Centre Begins

30 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

The chiefs and people of Jumapo in the New Juabeng Municipality in the Eastern Region went into celebration when the sod was cut for commencement of a Regional Study Centre for the College of Distance Education (CoDE) at Jumapo.   CoDE over the years has been holding its programmes from rented premises since commencement of the programme in the region.   The Provost of the College, Prof. Isaac Galyuon speaking at mini durbar before the sod was cut at Jumapo, described the event as “Another occasion for celebration”. He said the University has plans to put in place regional centres across the country in other to bring in education to the doorstep of the people.   Prof. Galyuon explained that the commencement of the project delayed due to some constraints. “We now believe we can start and finish without much difficulty. We hope we can finish on schedule”, he said. He said the project was collaboration between the University and the people of Jumapo and therefore, urged them to support it so that they can have a feel of “University Life”.   The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Madam Gertrude Mensah, said education was a good legacy and advised parents to send their children to school in order for them to benefit from the project when complete. She hoped the project would come up very fast to improve on education in the region. “We are happy, you are building an adult facility for us. Please, let’s have it completed on time”.   The Jumapohene, Nana Oppong Wusu III, was grateful to the University for the establishment of the centre adding, “We will do everything possible to help to ensure that the project is not stalled. We will still be in constant contact with the University always”.   He pledged the total support to the contractor to enable him work smoothly to ensure that the project was completed on time.   The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole said the project was for the entire community and the people of Ghana and therefore, urged the people to support it. Prof. Kuupole asked the people to help their children to acquire education since it was the best legacy they could bequeath them.    

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Partners Ainoo-Ansah Farms to Train People in Aquaculture

26 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole has called on banks in the country to provide flexible start-up capital for people who venture into aqua culture business to help alleviate poverty and also augment the protein needs of the country.

The Vice-Chancellor made this remark when he closed a five-day course designed to train people in the production of tilapia and aquaculture business at the Ainoo-Ansah Farms at Okyereko near Winneba in the Central Region.

 

The project is a Public Private Partnership between the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (DFAS) of the College Agriculture and Natural Sciences of the University of Cape Coast and Ainoo-Ansah Farms. The project is being funded by the Council for Technical Training and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET).

The fishing industry in Ghana is not able to meet the huge demand for fish in the country and statistics indicates for example that the amount of fish landed in 2012 was less than half of the country’s fish demand for that year. The partnership is therefore, aimed at helping to train Ghanaians in Fish Farming to produce enough fish for local consumption and export.

 

The Ainoo-Ansah Farms has a large field of aquaculture facilities for the breeding of fish from the scratch. That is, from the egg or larvae state through maturity stage for both tilapia and other species of fish stock. They are also into piggery employing an innovation that reduces the usual pungent odour that emanates from the typical traditional pigsty. The farm currently has 150 pigs. 

 

The five-day training programme was aimed at providing training to persons who want to start or venture into the production of fish and also for those already in the aqua culture business. The series of training programme which began in August has drawn participants from academia, financial institutions as well as prominent individuals in the Ghanaian society and also from other countries in West Africa namely Liberia, Gambia and Nigeria.

 

The proprietor of the farm, Mr. Jacob Ainoo-Ansah in a remark was grateful to the University for partnering them to train and build the capacity of persons who have expressed the desire  to enter into the aqua culture business in the country. “We decided to start the fish farming business since we had a vision to add some value to fish farming. We did not want to do it for ourselves alone but to bring in others so we can impact the society positively”, Mr. Ainoo-Ansah stated.

“As we started developing this farm some people thought it was crazy to do such a thing in this remote corner or bush. But we knew what our deficiencies were and worked towards turning them into opportunities”, he declared.

The Head of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Dr. Noble Asare underscored the fact that, fish farming could be done through partnership and therefore urged participants of the workshop to also consider coming together to start their fish farming business. He stated that it was for that reason that the DFAS and the University had partnered Ainoo Farms  to share  best practices and research on fish farming so as to benefit the entire society. He said food security was important in the development of any country, adding that the natural source of producing fish has been dissipated therefore the solution was to resort to aqua culture.

 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole said he was particularly happy that eventually there has been a practical collaboration with the private sector that has begun to show positive results. “What we do at the department is purely different from what is done on the field and therefore I pray that this business grows so that with time it can even offer Ph.D programmes”.

“Universities are today told to be entrepreneurial, so those who choose not to have these skills will be left out”, he noted.

 

The Vice-Chancellor was convinced that one day the collaboration will grow to become one of the applied sciences at the University. He indicated that currently the former ways of getting fish on the dining table was no more effective.  “We know that our fishermen are catching nothing, we are therefore left with nothing but to farm fish. I am very much hopeful that you will be getting us the fish we need on our dining tables henceforth”, he implored the participants”.

Prof. Kuupole told the participants that their training would go a long way to alleviate poverty and also augment the protein needs of the society. He urged the Department to ensure that the collaboration grew and not relent in their efforts since they were in the right direction.

The Vice-Chancellor later presented certificates to the participants. With the Vice-Chancellor were the Provost, College of Distance Education, Prof. Isaac Galyuon;Dean, School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Johnson Boampong and the Project Director of  the Centre for Coastal Managementof the School of Biological Sciences and Coordinator of the Aquaculture Project, Dr. Dennis Aheto.

 

 

 

 

   

   

Africa Must Be Seen as a United Continent

24 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

A Kenyan Law Scholar, Prof. Patrick Loch Lumumba has stated that Africa is the only continent that is referred to by European and American commentators as Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone.

This according to him was because the former colonisers still see them as their territories. “These descriptions underline the unspoken truth that in the minds of the colonizers their erstwhile ‘fiefdoms’ are still their little backwater territories to be guided and cajoled as circumstances may justify”, he noted.

Prof. Lumumba said this when he delivered the third lecture at the 11th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures at the University. His topic for the concluding lecture was “Social Cohesion: A Call for African Unity”. The renowned African orator indicated that in 1963 for example, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah told African Leaders at a conference that if they did not unite they may not continue to occupy their positions but he was ignored. However, that ‘prophecy’ came to pass with all of them being removed one after the other including Nkrumah himself.  Prof. Lumumba therefore stated, “Disunity is Africa’s Achilles heels”. Conflicts have played significant roles dividing as well as deepening the woes of the continent. A critical look at the various parts of the continent would reveal myriads of conflicts that seem not to end soon to the detriment of the people. It is for this reason that the Lecturer said that history indicates that people of this continent were the most beaten when it comes to conflicts the world over. “Africa has the infamy of having the most conflicts in the world”, he noted.

Prof. Lumumba noted that when Dr. Julius Nyerere wanted Tanzania and Kenya and other Eastern African states to unite, the other leaders resisted, likewise when Nkrumah signed a union treaty with Congo to demonstrate that Africa could do it, divide and rule tactics were employed to torpedo that unity agenda. He wondered how long Africa would still be in political diapers or punch below her weight, or remain a junior partner? He said leaders in 1963 were in a class of their own as compared to what we have in Africa today. “What they could see in their sleep, current leaders cannot see when they are awake”, he berated. It is not all gloom for the continent since the speaker gave a hint that there was still some modicum of hope to be savoured. He stated, “On occasions that Africans have decided to be united they delivered. A classic example he cited was the period when through unity of purpose, Africa came together to help Mozambique and Angola to attain political independence from their colonial masters. But the sad aspect of this development, he said was these countries suffered from amnesia and gravitated towards their masters in no time. “African politics with greatest due respect is a curse”, he declared.

Prof. Lumumba said “the day African politics is liberated from the chains of greed that is the day Africa will move forward”. He reminded African leaders that longevity in office does not mean one has all the solutions as a leader. “Wisdom does not reside in the ballot box, if you are not wise the ballot box will not change that” He paid an unalloyed tribute to Kwame Nkrumah saying though he ruled for a short time he shook the world. He was of the view that Nkrumah was lying in his grave and weeping uncontrollably because his people are suffering. “What you told us 50 years ago is still evergreen, that unity is the only solution, there is a lot to be done”.  For this reason, he called on Africa to rise. But asked for whom: is it for India or China?

Meanwhile at a special congregation, as has been the tradition, the University conferred on the distinguished lawyer an honorary degree, the degree of Doctor of Letters, (D. Litt, Honoris Causa).

African Must Deal with Corrupt Leaders

23 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

“Africa cannot grow until it deals with corrupt leaders and corruption. Corruption is one of the things that have held Africa back”.

 

A distinguished Kenyan Professor of Public Law, Prof. P. L. O. said this when he delivered the second of the three-day 11th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture at the University. Prof. Lumumba said the first thing African leaders do on assumption of political power is primitive accumulation of wealth so much so that they do not even know where such property and wealth are.

 

Speaking on the topic Economic Re-orientation, the Kenyan firebrand said he was sharing his agonies about Africa and indicated the continent was now enjoying flag independence, because if one follows the debate the question that comes to mind is whether Africa was truly independent? Kwame Nkrumah early in his stay in the United States realised that Africans were as equal to all people and have inalienable rights as well. Therefore, he conceived the idea that Africa must be liberated.

According to Prof. Lumumba, in the mind of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, colonization was an aberration to the human race. But he said, “Nkrumah was not alone on this plane, there were others who also thought there was the urgent need to for independence from the clutches of the colonisers”.

 

It must be pointed out that these leaders thought that the quest and struggle for independence was not for political freedom only but economic as well. Having attained political independence there came the question whether Africa could harness the numerous resources available?

 

Prof. Lumumba was of the view that when Nkrumah returned home, he realised that there were a lot that could be done to add value to the abundant resources on the continent to rake in the needed income for development. He said for example, Kwame Nkrumah talked about the possible value addition to the rubber in Liberia for Firestone and other tyre manufacturing companies abroad.

This, the Legal luminary, observed was an indication that Kwame Nkrumah did not restrict himself to Ghana alone but to the entire continent. He said, “That all these resources could be harnessed then Africa could develop. It was as if the gods have conspired that minerals and resources could be found in the belly of Africa”.

Prof. Lumumba opined that Africa could be liberated economically if there was one united market, one currency that could be effective everywhere. “If we do not create that common market, we will always be subjected to our former colonizers”. He said he was not against globalization per se, but he was against the perception of globalisation, which says Africa must be subdued.

 

He was not happy about the existence of 8 economic blocs that were expected to see Africa rise, but were not ensuring that, that happens. “Even goods that should take 8 hours to be transported take more than 24h hours”.

 

He indicated that for Africa to really rise was one of the key things that must be done is to eliminate corruption, improve upon science and technology and given the pride of place. There is also the need for Africa to liberate itself from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and Aid.

African Must Deal with Corrupt Leaders

23 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

“Africa cannot grow until it deals with corrupt leaders and corruption. Corruption is one of the things that have held Africa back”.

A distinguished Kenyan Professor of Public Law, Prof. P. L. O. said this when he delivered the second of the three-day 11th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture at the University. Prof. Lumumba said the first thing African leaders do on assumption of political power is primitive accumulation of wealth so much so that they do not even know where such property and wealth are.

Speaking on the topic Economic Re-orientation, the Kenyan firebrand said he was sharing his agonies about Africa and indicated the continent was now enjoying flag independence, because if one follows the debate the question that comes to mind is whether Africa was truly independent? Kwame Nkrumah early in his stay in the United States realised that Africans were as equal to all people and have inalienable rights as well. Therefore, he conceived the idea that Africa must be liberated.

According to Prof. Lumumba, in the mind of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, colonization was an aberration to the human race. But he said, “Nkrumah was not alone on this plane, there were others who also thought there was the urgent need to for independence from the clutches of the colonisers”.

It must be pointed out that these leaders thought that the quest and struggle for independence was not for political freedom only but economic as well. Having attained political independence there came the question whether Africa could harness the numerous resources available?

Prof. Lumumba was of the view that when Nkrumah returned home, he realised that there were a lot that could be done to add value to the abundant resources on the continent to rake in the needed income for development. He said for example, Kwame Nkrumah talked about the possible value addition to the rubber in Liberia for Firestone and other tyre manufacturing companies abroad.

This, the Legal luminary, observed was an indication that Kwame Nkrumah did not restrict himself to Ghana alone but to the entire continent. He said, “That all these resources could be harnessed then Africa could develop. It was as if the gods have conspired that minerals and resources could be found in the belly of Africa”.

Prof. Lumumba opined that Africa could be liberated economically if there was one united market, one currency that could be effective everywhere. “If we do not create that common market, we will always be subjected to our former colonizers”. He said he was not against globalization per se, but he was against the perception of globalisation, which says Africa must be subdued.

He was not happy about the existence of 8 economic blocs that were expected to see Africa rise, but were not ensuring that, that happens. “Even goods that should take 8 hours to be transported take more than 24h hours”.

He indicated that for Africa to really rise was one of the key things that must be done is to eliminate corruption, improve upon science and technology and given the pride of place. There is also the need for Africa to liberate itself from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and Aid.

Africa Needs Political Reawakening

21 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

An eminent Professor of Public Law from Kenya, Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, says until the day Africa achieves political reawakening, the continent cannot not occupy its rightful place in the world.

“Africa will rise in her splendor: it will only do so if we can identify the right things and do them right, we can rise”.

The illustrious African Legal personality who is also the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law made these remarks when he delivered the first leg of the 11th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures at the University. The theme for the three-day lectures is “Africa Must Rise” and the first lecture was on the topic “Political Re- Awakening”.

Tracing the trajectory of Africa’s quest for political freedom from the neo- colonialists and how Africa has failed to recover, Prof. Lumumba called on Africans to embrace the ideals of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and liberate themselves from the kind of politics that has let them down. He reiterated the call made by Dr. Nkrumah that “Seek ye first the political kingdom and all others will be added” when he said “Africa must conduct the affairs of politics well, if we do not get it right in politics; we cannot get it right economically”,

Prof. Lumumba said a major African problem was that, Africans behave as if they were inferior to the whiteman. “We are quick to seek help elsewhere instead of finding our own solutions. Those of us who have gone to school are the problem”, he added. He noted that amidst the problems affecting Africa, two schools of thought have emerged, the Afro-pessimists who believe Africa is incapable of solving her problems and will continue to occupy the lower rungs of human development and the Afro-optimists who argue that while Africa has not realised her potential, she was capable of rising from her present situation to occupy her rightful position in the world.

Citing Botswana as an example, he said with the right leadership, that country was among the few countries on the continent to record budget surplus saying “this demonstrates that with the right leadership and the right mix, we can get it right”.  Touching on the canker of corruption in the African society, he noted that until the ghost of corruption and ethnicity were exorcised, Africa could not develop.

He declared that, the African has to be well educated, and recommended the kind of education that Kwame Nkrumah described as “reawakening and rethinking of minds”. He pointed out that Kwame Nkrumah was ahead of his time and peers by 50 years.

Turning to the craze of democracy in Africa, Prof. Lumumba said, “Election is the new thing in town, our leaders remind us of the things they have done, and meanwhile nothing changes”.  He however, asserted that leadership was about servant leadership. Prof. Lumumba wondered why African politics has always been controlled by the outside world. He said for example that after elections, African leaders wait for calls from European and United States leaders before feeling and accepting that they have really won the elections.

Africa Needs Political Reawakening

21 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

An eminent Professor of Public Law from Kenya, Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, says until the day Africa achieves political reawakening, the continent cannot not occupy its rightful place in the world.

“Africa will rise in her splendor: it will only do so if we can identify the right things and do them right, we can rise”.

The illustrious African Legal personality who is also the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya School of Law made these remarks when he delivered the first leg of the 11th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures at the University. The theme for the three-day lectures is “Africa Must Rise” and the first lecture was on the topic “Political Re- Awakening”.

Tracing the trajectory of Africa’s quest for political freedom from the neo- colonialists and how Africa has failed to recover, Prof. Lumumba called on Africans to embrace the ideals of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and liberate themselves from the kind of politics that has let them down. He reiterated the call made by Dr. Nkrumah that “Seek ye first the political kingdom and all others will be added” when he said “Africa must conduct the affairs of politics well, if we do not get it right in politics; we cannot get it right economically”,

Prof. Lumumba said a major African problem was that, Africans behave as if they were inferior to the whiteman. “We are quick to seek help elsewhere instead of finding our own solutions. Those of us who have gone to school are the problem”, he added. He noted that amidst the problems affecting Africa, two schools of thought have emerged, the Afro-pessimists who believe Africa is incapable of solving her problems and will continue to occupy the lower rungs of human development and the Afro-optimists who argue that while Africa has not realised her potential, she was capable of rising from her present situation to occupy her rightful position in the world.

Citing Botswana as an example, he said with the right leadership, that country was among the few countries on the continent to record budget surplus saying “this demonstrates that with the right leadership and the right mix, we can get it right”.  Touching on the canker of corruption in the African society, he noted that until the ghost of corruption and ethnicity were exorcised, Africa could not develop.

He declared that, the African has to be well educated, and recommended the kind of education that Kwame Nkrumah described as “reawakening and rethinking of minds”. He pointed out that Kwame Nkrumah was ahead of his time and peers by 50 years.

Turning to the craze of democracy in Africa, Prof. Lumumba said, “Election is the new thing in town, our leaders remind us of the things they have done, and meanwhile nothing changes”.  He however, asserted that leadership was about servant leadership. Prof. Lumumba wondered why African politics has always been controlled by the outside world. He said for example that after elections, African leaders wait for calls from European and United States leaders before feeling and accepting that they have really won the elections.

Our Goal is to Prepare Productive Citizens and Future Leaders-Vice-Chancellor Tells Fresh Students

20 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole has noted that the University of Cape Coast is committed to preparing productive citizens and future leaders who can serve the national and global community in diverse ways.

He noted that UCC would therefore, not renege on it’s standards of providing quality tertiary education to students.  “We nurture and challenge students to grow socially, physically, morally and intellectually. We offer you relevant quality education that makes you think critically and apply your knowledge to real life situation”, he said.

Prof. Kuupole made these statements during the matriculation ceremony for students admitted to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for the 2016/2017 academic year.

 

Admission Statistics

A total of 5, 051 fresh students have been admitted into various programmes in the University. Out of the number, 4, 609 are undergraduate students comprising 2, 811 males and 1, 798 females, the postgraduates are 336 for masters and 106 for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole observed that whilst less people were admitted to pursue the conventional system of university education, more were opting for the Sandwich and Distance Education modes. He however gave the assurance that “The University is determined to increase postgraduate admission to 20% of the total admission in the foreseeable future”. He said, the high student population was putting pressure on lecturers and facilities of the University. He added that “the student/lecturer ratio is very high and the current teaching staff deserve commendation and respect from all of us, especially from students. The sacrifice they are making are in the interest of student”.

 

Equal Opportunity University

Prof. Kuupole mentioned that the University of Cape Coast as an equal opportunity University, was uniquely placed to provide quality education through the provision of comprehensive, liberal and professional programmes that challenge learners to be creative, innovative and morally responsible citizens.

 He indicated that UCC would continue to nurture and challenge students to grow socially, physically, morally and intellectually. “This is the culture into which you have been admitted. As students, you must fulfill your part in the achievement of this noble vision and to help build up positive image of the University”, he pointed out.

 

Advice to Students

Advising the fresh students to be disciplined as they pursued their education, Prof. Kuupole asked them to be guided by the Students Handbook and Academic Programmes, Policies and Regulation documents. He noted that the documents would guide them to conform to the rules and regulations of the University. “The Students Handbook is not there to police students and find scape goats to punish, but to make students behave responsibly in order to make life comfortable for every person who has the desire to pursue university education on this campus”, he told the students.

Prof. Kuupole entreated the students to conduct themselves, individually and collectively in a very disciplined and responsible manner. He told them to be rational and responsible in whatever activities they engage in. he further advised that “Let the training you receive develop you holistically to be trustworthy and effective future leaders”.

I am a Proud Product of the University of Cape Coast

20 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

The Vice-Chancellor has underscored the crucial role the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has played in transforming his life.

He noted that the University has contributed to his success story in life adding that "It is this University that has made me what I am and who I am today".

Prof. Kuupole said this at the Choralfest organised by the Voices of Accountability in his honour and the 2016 retirees of the University.

Recounting his youthful days, Prof. Kuupole narrated that when he gained admission into UCC, a friend told him to opt for Customs Service rather than teaching but decided to pursue his passion. "Now I am here as a teacher of high calibre; I am here as an administrator; I am here as a social worker and I dont regret", Prof Kuupole indicated.

He seized the chance to advise future Vice-Chancellors not to underestimate the contributions of the senior and junior staff in the discharge of his or her duties noting that "Those (FUSSAG and TEWU) are the people who will make you succeed. "

For his part, former provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Stephen Kendie, commended Prof. Kuupole for his meritorious service. He extolled the remarkable achievement and exhibiting qualities as a team builder, results oriented and visionary leader.

Prof Kendie,who was the guest of honour said the University would continue to tap the rich experience of Prof. Kuupole whose term of office ends on 30th September, 2016 to the hilt.

The Choralfest event which was organised under the auspices of Directorate of Finance, was well attended by the Chairman of UCC Council, Nana Sam Brew Butler, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. K. T. Oduro; Registrar, Mr.John Kofi Nyan; Director of Finance, Mrs Elizabeth Obese and a section of the University Community.

Vice President Inaugurates Language Centre for UCC

20 Sep, 2016 By louis Mensah

A state-of-the-art Language Centre has been inaugurated at the University of Cape Coast to train students and people from neighbouring countries in both local and international languages.

The two-storey Amissah-Arthur Language Centre, which was sponsored by the Bank of Ghana, has facilities such as language laboratories, computer laboratories, a library, offices, museums/archives, conference room and multi purpose studio. He said it was with much admiration that the building has been completed to help in the training and learning of languages.

Mr. Amissah-Arthur indicated that, for Ghana to be part of the global world and economy, there was the urgent need to pay attention of learning of more international languages. Touching on the importance of communication, Mr. Amissah-Arthur said, “It is my hope that all who use this facility will take their courses seriously, since it will help them improve in all endeavours because communication is very important”, he emphasised. He called on managers of the facility to adopt good maintenance culture to refresh and maintain both the building and equipment to prolong their lifespan.

The first Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Mr. Millison Narh said it was a delight to the witness the inauguration of the Language Centre and described it as “A dream come true to most of us who have contributed in diverse ways”. He said the Centre would facilitate the learning of multiple languages and produce high calibre translators. He noted it was important for financial institutions to collaborate with academia to provide training in financial literacy and micro finance to the public to reduce the challenges in that sector.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole in a remark indicated that the project had come at an opportune time to bring the learning of languages with modern touch to the doorstep of the people. He was grateful to the Bank of Ghana for the provision of funding to complete the project and appealed for extra funds to equip the rest of the laboratories.

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