Search

UCC@60: Elolo Gharbin Theatre Season Launched

30 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The Department of Theater and Film Studies of University of Cape Coast has launched the Elolo Gharbin Season Theatre for the second semester of the 2021/2022 academic year.

 

 It was difficult for theatre lovers to hold back their laughter almost throughout the duration of excerpts of four plays to be staged for the semester.

 

The students of the Department of Theater and Film studies have a reputation for putting out attention-grabbing plays and this semester is not an exception.

 

Dubbed, "A Season of Four Plays" the students will stage four (4) productions namely:  "the Dilemma of a Ghost"; "Altine's Wrath"; "Blood and Tears" and “My CGPA and God."

 

The plays will be staged on the 6th to 8th, 13th to 15th, 20th to 22nd and 27th to 29th of October, 2022, respectively, at the Main Auditorium-UCC.

 

Launching the Theater Season, the Omanhen of the Twifo Traditional Area, Otumfuo Amoah Sasraku IV, called on government to leverage on the power of theater and film to help create jobs for the youth in this country. He said theater and film had become very strong and powerful, hence, the need to leverage on its powers to create jobs and make Ghana an attractive location for film and theater production in West Africa.

Omanhen of Twifo Traditional Area, Otumfuo Amoah Sasraku IV speaking at the launch

 

The Omanhen added that the credibility of any film was judged by its sound quality, stage, story content and good performance.

 

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah, underscored the need to inject capital, technological devices and innovativeness to enhance theater and film productions at the Department.

 

The Dean explained that the revolution of the continent will stem from its creative industry, stressing that due to the ease of entry and vast opportunities, the sector could employ millions of young people. He, therefore, underlined that for UCC to become an entrepreneurial university, much premium should be put on the Department of Theater and Film Studies.

 

Prof. Sarfo-Kantankah reiterated his firm commitment to support the Department to build the capacities and knowledge of students.

 

The Head of the Department, Dr. Atta Xornam Owusu, in a brief remark, said theater goers should expect mind-blowing performances from the students. 

 

Some patrons, mostly students, expressed satisfaction with the excerpts and said they looked forward to watching the full plays.

 

The launch was witnessed by the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Gideon Abbeyquaye Esq; the Deputy Librarian, Ms. Paulina Kwafoa as well as some traditional authorities.

 

 

About Elolo Gharbin Theatre Season

The late Mr. Elolo Gharbin

 

The Department of Theater and Film Studies of University of Cape Coast was established in 2004.

 

In its formative years, the Department had only one lecturer, Mr. Elolo John Gharbin.

 

Mr. Gharbin taught almost all the courses offered by the Department until about the second or third year when other lecturers were employed to teach courses in theater.

 

 In September 2020, he passed on and the Department named the theater season after him.

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section

All African Diaspora Education Summit held at UCC

30 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The All African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES) has been organized at the University of Cape Coast with a call on Africans to adopt an education curriculum that projects Africa’s culture and value system at the centre of teaching and learning experience. 

 

The Summit which was on the theme, “Reclaiming African Sovereignty through African-Centered Education: Pushing Excellence as a Mantra in Everything Through the Right Education" was held under the auspices of the Obokese Foundation and assemble Presidents of tertiary institutions, black educators, students among others.

 

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area, in his address, as the guest speaker, noted that education in Africa was indoctrinated. According to him, Africa was a "broken continent" because its wealth and economy were being controlled by their "enemies", adding that imperialism was a bane on the continent.

 

"And if you want to learn the path of new Africa, go to the diaspora. Go to Brazil, go to Cuba. They kept our faith. Our spirituality, one way or another," Nana Kobina Nketsia V added.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area

 

He indicated that African history was being tainted by their colonial masters and it was affecting the bright future of the continent. The Omanhen called for a new Africa that exuded the spirit of Pan Africanism.

 

"There must be a new Africa and that Africa will get rid of Ghana, Nigeria. That is truly the pan African spirit. Who created Ghana, who created Nigeria?" he asked, maintaining that the colonial masters named African countries.

 

 

Nana Nketsia concluded, “When the African rises, humanity will rise because humanity started from Africa."

Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Director of Pan African Festival

 

Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Director of Pan African Festival, in a short remark, said the African colonial masters had buried the character of Africa.

 

"They told us that we were animals, we come from jungles and destroyed our culture, language, heritage and stole our artifacts” he said.

 

 

He stated that Europeans introduced religion and education to interrupt civilization of Africans and called on Africans to reclaim the African sovereignty.

Dr. Nana Kwamina Krah II, Rector of Obokese University of Excellence

 

Dr. Nana Kwamina Krah II, Rector of Obokese University of Excellence, for his part, said Africa should stand on its ground to reclaim its sovereignty, saying that the ancestors of Africans were fully behind the current crop of generation.

 

Nana Kwebu Ewusi VII, Omanhen of Abeadzi Dominase in a brief remark, called on Africans to come together to change the sordid story of the continent. He said traditional rulers were available to support that worthy cause. 

 

Earlier in her welcome address, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, said UCC puts premium on internationalisation and called for collaborations with the diaspora.

 

She said UCC was mentoring basic schools in the Cape Coast metropolis and noted that entrepreneurship was at the heart of the University.

Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, Nana Obokese Ampah

 

Explaining the purpose for the summit, the Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, Nana Obokese Ampah, noted that for far too long, Africa's continued application of the self-serving Eurocentric infrastructure that Britain left behind had led to continuous dependence and exploitation to the detriment of the rapid development of the continent.

 

"The introduction of a powerful and proven African centered education model will provide a solid African foundation, announcing to the world anew, that African people still possess the capacity to think for themselves, act in their interest and chart their own destiny"  he asserted.

 

Nana Obokese who was also the chairman for the summit  indicated that the education renaissance would further represent an academic paradigm shift reminiscent of Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 where he shocked the then known world by an unprecedented display of African wealth, splendour, civility and genius.

  

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

CHLS Provost receives wife of former Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur

30 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies (CHLS), University of Cape Coast, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, has received in courtesy visit, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur, wife of the late former vice president, His Excellency (H.E.) Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.

 

The visit, Mrs. Amissah-Arthur stated, was to present portraits of the late veep to the College.

 

The late Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur contributed significantly towards the building of the Amissah-Arthur Language Centre, which serves the language departments within the Faculty of Arts.

 

She indicated that with the institution of the annual Amissah-Arthur Memorial Lectures in June three years ago, she was prepared to discuss with the organisers  of the event at the University of Ghana the need to hold at least one of the lectures at the University of Cape Coast.

Mrs. Amissah-Arthur in a meeting with the Registrar of UCC, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame, Provost of CHLS and other members of the College during her visit

 

She expressed gratitude to management of UCC and the Board of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies for the recognition.

 

For his part, Prof. Kwarteng acknowledged H. E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur's laudable profile in public service, serving as governor of the Bank of Ghana as well as vice-president of Ghana.

 

For using his rich experience and knowledge in serving the country and humanity, Prof. Kwarteng said the death of the former veep had robbed the family and the country of one of its finest gentlemen. 

 

Prof. Kwarteng indicated that the College would immortalize the memory of the former vice president for his generosity towards the University by erecting his bust at the frontage of the Language Centre.

 

Present at the meeting were the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Onyame and a former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole.

 

The Amissah-Arthur Language-UCC

The language centre project, which started in 2003 as a GetFund project, was halted due to lack of funds, but was taken over and completed by a collaboration between the Bank of Ghana under the then leadership of Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as governor, and the University of Cape Coast in 2011.

 

The state-of-the-art Language Centre, named after the late vice president, was inaugurated in 2016. The two-storey facility, which is to train students and people from neighbouring countries in both local and international languages, has facilities such as language laboratories, computer laboratories, a library, offices, museum/archives, conference room and a multi- purpose studio.

Mrs. Amissah-Arthur presenting a portrait of the late vice president to the Registrar of UCC and Provost of CHLS

 

While commissioning the facility, the late Mr. Amissah-Arthur indicated that for Ghana to be part of the global world and economy, there was the urgent need to pay attention to learning of more international languages.

 

H. E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur passed away on 28th June, 2018, aged 67.

 

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

UCC@60: College of Education Studies marks 60th milestone

30 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The College of Education Studies (CES), University of Cape Coast (UCC) has organized a public lecture and exhibition. The lecture, on the theme, “College of Education Studies @ 60: Past, Present and Future" was also part of activities lined up for the 60th anniversary celebration of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) scheduled for 20th of October, 2022.

 

A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, the guest speaker at the event, entreated the College to not only equip students with academic skills, but also "a mix of academic, technical skills, industrial skills and the soft skills they need to thrive and show resilience in a post-Covid-19 economy.”

 

He tasked the College to provide students with job-relevant technical skills as part of their degree qualifications in order to support them succeed on the job market.

Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, guest speaker at the event.

 

The former Vice-Chancellor appealed to the College to set up a research unit to promote multidisciplinary or trans-disciplinary research studies in endogenous knowledge systems with members from other disciplinary areas or colleges.

 

He indicated that the College had produced a sea of Deans and Provosts who should make their voices heard on national issues, especially on education.

 

Prof Anamuah-Mensah suggested to the College to "take the initiative to collaborate with other Deans of faculties and Provosts of colleges of education in other universities in the country to establish a non-partisan association to be called Association of Deans and Provosts of Public Universities."

 

He also suggested to the College to select a day in October to celebrate what he described as ‘National Education Day’ to mark the day the Faculty of Education, now College of Education Studies, was established.

 

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah used the occasion to walk the audience through the past and present of the College.

 

The Provost of the College, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, in his address, expressed gratitude to past Provosts, Deans, as well as staff for their hard work. 

 

He observed that all the cream of educationists, who had influenced education policy and continue to influence policy currently, had relationship with the College either as past students or staff members, mentioning Prof. Dominic Fobih, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Prof. Anamuah-Mensah and Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi, among others.

Provost of the CES, Prof. Ernest Davis

 

Prof. Davis added that the College had supported government's agenda on education through the Institute of Education which was graduating the first batch of students on the new B.ED curriculum ran at the colleges of education in Ghana.

 

He explained that the College had developed short demand-driven courses to equip lecturers, who do not have professional education background, with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver high quality lessons.

 

He praised the research output of the College which had resulted in the promotion of over forty (40) faculty members to the rank of professor.

 

Regarding collaboration, he said the College had academic ties with US universities that enable students of the College to travel to the US to observe at firsthand teaching and learning at the institutions.

 

 

On future plans, Prof. Davis stated that the College "was reviewing its curriculum to ensure its graduates were globally competitive and entrepreneurial in their orientation."

Prof. Christine Adu-Yeboah, Director of the School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO) presenting a citation of honour to Prof. Ghartey Ampiah

 

The event also witnessed some personalities who had served the College in different capacities receive citations of honour.

 

In all, fifteen (15) well distinguished and accomplished scholars (former Deans and Provosts) were honoured. Among them were; the guest of honour of the College of Education Day celebration, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah; the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah; a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. George K. T. Oduro and Prof. Eric Magnus Wilmot, the Vice-Chancellor of C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

 

There was also a special citation of honour presented to the Omanhen of Oguaa, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II for his unflinching support for the College over the years.

 

As part of activities, the College organized a students' exhibition project where its students showcased various products they had produced.

Some stands at the exhibition with patrons

 

The exhibition, according to the Provost of the College, Prof. Ernest K. Davis, was to ensure that students were well equipped to contribute towards job creation to reduce unemployment in the country, adding that "we are training our students to be job creators and not job seekers."

 

Patrons of the exhibition expressed delight and affection about the exhibition and the variety of items that were on display.

 

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

GBIP, GB-PIE launches Business Registration Manual for Young Start-ups

29 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The Ghana Bioenterprise Innovations Partnership (GBIP) and the Ghana-Britain Partnership for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GB-PIE) of the Innovations for African Universities (IAU) has launched a business manual to guide young start-ups through the process of regularising their businesses.

Titled: “A Stepwise Guide to the Registration of Businesses for Young Start-ups,” the manual chronicles modern ways of equipping young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to translate their ideas into viable ventures.

It also aims at simplifying the cumbersome processes that start-ups face in the registration of their business.

The Project Lead Professor, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, who launched the manual, indicated that the timing of the manual was apt owing to the growing calls for the teeming unemployed graduates to start their own business.

According to him, most students and graduates jettison their plans of creating their own jobs to become entrepreneurs as a result of the time-honoured business registration processes faced by young entrepreneurs.

“Therefore, this manual provides a step-by-step guide from the selection of business name to the final inspection by a regulatory agency,” added Prof. Acheampong, who is also the Dean of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cape Coast, UCC.

For her part, the Head of Medory Natural, Dr. Ama Kyearaa Thomford, who developed the manual, stated that it was based on the practical experiences of Medory.

According to her, Medory Naturals, a Ghanaian start-up which is into manufacturing and sale of natural health products from Ghanaian plants, went through the steps in business registration and, thus, recommended the manual to young entrepreneurs.

 

Dr. Thomford, who received technical assistance from GBIP and GB-PIE, showcased Medory Blue Tea and Medory Flora Tea products to the gathering and explained that the two products reinvigorate and reduced stress.

“The products are intended for persons of all ages especially those seeking healthy alternatives to the sugar-based and caffeinated drinks common on the Ghanaian market,” she added.

Held at the Sam Jonah Library-UCC, the event was attended by team members from the IAU project partners, faculty, students and teaching assistants from UCC. The IAU projects have the University of Cape Coast, University of Health and Allied Sciences, and the University of St Andrews, Scotland-UK as partners.

Also present at the event were Dr. Francis Ackah Armah – Senior Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences; 

Dr. Richael Odarkor Mills – Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. George Ghartey-Kwansah – Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Kwame Kumi Asare – Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Dr. Kwesi Prah Thomford – Lecturer, Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine.

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

UCC Security Section, UEW Security Directorate Exchange Expertise on Campus Security

29 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The Security Section of University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Security Directorate of University of Education, Winneba (UEW), have discussed ways to promote cooperation as well as exchange of experiences and best practices to boost security on their respective campuses.

 

The Head of Security-UCC, Col. Joseph Kojo Baah-Tsiquaye, welcomed to his office, the Head of the UEW Security Directorate, Chief Opare Addo, and his accompanying delegation.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Col. Baah-Tsiquaye indicated that the Security Section of UCC had intensified day and night patrols in the 'diaspora' or outskirts of the University where students had their accommodation. This, he noted, was to enable both students and staff go about their academic activities without harbouring any fears of being attacked or robbed.

 

Commending UCC management for prioritising issues of security on campus, he said management had supported the Section to ensure safety and security of all students and staff. 

 

The intervention from management, Col. Baah-Tsiquaye added, was to make sure the Section exhibited professionalism in the discharge of its duties and also to meet the challenge of ensuring internal security. 

 

The two sides also had discussions on enhancing visibility and community policing strategies to make their university communities safer and increase the quality of lives of residents. 

 

For his part, Chief Opare Danso said since the dynamics of internal security had changed, it had also caused the traditional concept of internal security policing to change  hence their visit  to UCC to learn best practices.

 

He explained the security architecture of UEW to Col.  Baah-Tsiquaye as well as the immense support management of UEW had given to the Directorate to deliver on its mandate.

 

Visit to Director of Consular and General Services

 

The UEW Security officials, led by Chief Opare Danso, also paid a call on the Director of Consular and General Services-UCC, Mrs. Alberta Graham at her office.

 

Mrs. Graham thanked the delegation for the visit and lauded them for picking brain on security from UCC’s Security Section.

 

For his part, Chief Opare Danso thanked the Director for the hospitality accorded him and his accompanying delegation.

 

The UEW delegation included PSO Atampa John, UEW Operations Commander; PSO Samuel Hood, the UEW Central Commander and SSO James Morgan, North Commander.

 

The rest were SSO Asiedu Angela, North Secretary (North Campus); SSO Francis Drafor (Patrol Officer, Ajumako Campus) and SSO Salia Jeremiah (Investigation)

 

The UCC delegation included Mr. Patrick Adusei-Poku, Mr. Gershon Ka Sewornu, amongst others.

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

Team UCC Gears Up for GUSA Games

29 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The Sports Section of University of Cape Coast (UCC) has stepped up its preparation ahead of the  27th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games.

 

To be hosted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in November, 2022, the Section organized an ‘Athletics Open Championship’ to select athletes to form the nucleus of "Team UCC" for the GUSA Games.

 

The selected students will represent the University in disciplines such as handball, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, hockey, volleyball and netball, amongst others.

 

UCC has won every GUSA Games since 2014, cementing its dominance in University Games.

Some female athletes at the Athletics Open Championship

 

In 2020, Team UCC accumulated sixty-four (64) medals in total at the 26th GUSA Games to beat the likes of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW); University for Development Studies (UDS); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and host school, University of Ghana (UG).

 

UCC were also declared champions of the Games in 2018, 2016 and 2014 respectively.

 

However, the GUSA Games were suspended by the Ministry of Youth and Sports following the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

 

In July, this year, after a successful deliberation between GUSA Executives and the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Minister gave GUSA the green light to organize the Games after two years ban due to Covid-19. However, the Ministry told the participating universities to make sure all athletes were vaccinated.

 

 

The GUSA Games will also act as rehearsal for the 2023 African Games to be hosted by Ghana.

Some officials at the Athletics Open Championship

 

The Acting Head of the Sports Section, Mr. Edward Appiah, said Team UCC was poised to win the Games in Kumasi.

 

He added that the athletes gave a remarkable account of themselves and described them as a formidable force to reckon with.

 

He explained that Team UCC would parade experienced athletes who would prove their mettle in not just participating, but would contribute significantly to the medal accumulation of the University at the GUSA Games. 

 

Hence, he said, the Section would carefully select athletes for the Games.

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

UCC@60: UCC Salutes Retirees

29 Sep, 2022 By DIS

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has demonstrated unalloyed love and heartfelt appreciation to retirees who have served the University in various ways during their prime.

The University recognized the senior citizens for their invaluable contributions, sacrifices, dedicated service and selflessness that had brought UCC this far.

As part of activities marking UCC’s 60th anniversary, the University set the day aside to honour its retirees.

The programme, which was held at the forecourt of the Sam Jonah Library, also afforded the senior citizens the unique opportunity to reflect and share their rich experiences with staff in active service.

Highlights of the events included cultural music and optional speeches by the retirees on their experiences in the past.

A retiree in a traditional performance with dancers of a cultural troupe at the event

 

Optional speeches

 The Retirees Day celebration afforded the superannuated staff of the University the platform to share their experiences during their prime as staff of UCC.

Prof. N. N. Koufie, the composer of the UCC anthem, recounted the storied history of the anthem.

Prof. N.N. Koufie, the composer of the UCC anthem

In the past, he recalled, junior staff members of UCC were always assaulted by students. That development, according to him, angered members of Tertiary Education Workers’ Union (TEWU) who also took revenge on the students by putting out lights in the Halls, amongst other unsanctioned measures which were academically detrimental to students. This action by TEWU stemmed the reprehensible behaviours by students, Prof. Kuoufie added.

He explained that it was in the light of the aforementioned that culminated in the verse two of the UCC Anthem, specifically the line: “Being proud of this, we students and workers in concert shall work that your image may be heightened.”

Prof. Opoku Agyemang

He recalled his heyday at UCC when he took his first university examinations which he described as “dreadful.” He said UCC provided them three free meals a day and were paid book allowances.

Prof. Opoku Agyemang, who joined UCC in 1986, added, “Some of us have attained major national prominence to the credit of UCC.”

Mr. David Attah

He recounted how staff were using typewriters in the discharge of their duties.

Mr. Attah, who gained employment in UCC in 1961, said the University provided students with bicycles to facilitate their academic work which the students used to ply “the students’ Bicycle road”, which is now commonly referred to by the current crop of students as “School Bus Road.”

Efua Kuma

Madam Efua Kuma was a caterer at the University. She recollected how students flocked the dining hall of the University to have their delicious free meals.

She said if the meal was not provided to students on time, the students always went bananas and, therefore, it was the caterers’ responsibility to come to work at 4am to ensure all meals were served to students on time.

Mr. Johnny Bansah, a former Chief Librarian 

Mr. Johnny Bansah, a former Chief Librarian who served for 38 years, reminisced about a foreign lecturer, Dr. Mrs. Dimelow, who had a forest reserve in UCC to keep her wild animals.

“Woe betide any employee who would kill any of the animals in the forest, the person will be sacked,” he recalled, hence, the name Dimelow Forest on campus.

He said that Dr. Dimelow was killed by one of the wild animals in that forest, paving way for the labourers in UCC to kill all the animals.

He urged the retirees to place their experience at the doorsteps of active staff.

Some other retirees, who spoke at the function, counseled staff in active service to uphold the values of integrity and self-discipline.

According to them, retirees were valuable human resource whose contribution to the development of UCC could not be over-emphasised.

They explained that retirees were an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom that the University should continue to tap.

The senior citizens pledged their support to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong to succeed, with others calling on university management to take good care of their welfare. 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

UCC Chancellor Commissions Ultra-Modern Facilities at Sam Jonah Library

29 Sep, 2022 By DIS

Chancellor of University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr. (Sir) Sam Esson Jonah, has inaugurated three (3) state-of-the-art facility centres at the Sam Jonah Library.

The facilities are a Video Conferencing and Virtual Meeting Place, Social Learning Commons, as well as Development Information Commons.

The Video Conferencing and Virtual Meeting Place is an ultra-modern facility equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including a smart TV, HD camera, Logitech, high quality speakers and microphones as well as super high speed internet connectivity.

The Social Learning Commons, a relaxed modern learning environment, enhances collaboration and sharing of ideas and knowledge. The Development Information Commons also provides a learning space equipped with workstations connecting laptops to high-speed internet. The space may also be used for training and conference purposes.

At a ceremony to inaugurate the facilities, Dr. Sir. Sam Jonah assured the leadership of the Library of his family’s support and expressed his appreciation for their effort to modernise the library to promote quality teaching and learning.

"My family stands ready and willing to do everything that we can to make sure that this (the Sam Jonah Library) is the Library of choice," he stated.

The Chancellor being supported by the Pro VC-UCC, Prof Boohene, to inaugurate one of the facilities. Looking on are the chief of Kokoado, Nana Kweku Enu (in cloth) and immediate past VC-UCC, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah.

The library facilities, Dr. (Sir) Jonah explained, had supported collaborative research and group learning for both postgraduate and undergraduate students.

The new facilities are further going to enhance the comfort and the speed at which researchers are going to engage their peers all over the world, he continued.

The Chancellor called on all and sundry to put their shoulders to the wheel to support the library system in the University to be well equipped to execute its mandate, provide learning spaces, facilities and services that would enhance academic work.

He stressed, “Needless to say, a well-resourced university library has the potential of providing innovative services that will make great impact in quality academic work."

"This is the reason why we all have the responsibility to support the development of this library to reflect the status of our university as the number one in Ghana..." Dr. Jonah emphasized.

He charged students and staff to make good use of the facilities in the Library to reflect in their academic work so as to cement another enviable position in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking in 2023.

The Chancellor with the chief of Kokoado, Nana Kweku Enu and the Registrar of UCC , Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame (left) He urged the University Librarian and his staff not to relent in their efforts to deepen the innovations and transformation agenda for the Sam Jonah Library.

As part of efforts to transition the Sam Jonah Library into a modern library, he called for training of library staff to be abreast of emerging technologies and at par with the digitalised world.

For his part, the University Librarian, Dr. Mac-Anthony Cobblah, noted that an assessment was carried out on the Library and the result was that the Library was bereft with resources to provide 21st century library products and services to its patrons.

Hence, a strategic plan was developed to modernize and equip the Sam Jonah Library with ultra-modern and state-of-the art learning spaces and facilities.

While lauding the Chancellor and management of the University for their unflinching Support to the Library, Dr. Cobblah was of the firm hope that the newly-inaugurated facilities would enhance academic work and "contribute to the visibility and image of our university."

For her part, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof (Mrs.) Rosemond Boohene, who chaired the inauguration, expressed gratitude to the Chancellor for his relentless support towards the Library. She added that the academic and research work of every university was built around a vibrant and viable library system.

"I am proud that the Sam Jonah Library is responding to the transformational changes taking place in the higher educational landscape” she said.

She continued, “With the support of the Chancellor and all stakeholders, we are making the Sam Jonah Library the most resourceful university library in Ghana and West Africa to reflect our current world ranking."

As part of the inauguration, members of the library staff exhibited and demonstrated how new products and services could be accessed at the freshly-commissioned facilities.

Present at the inauguration were the Registrar of UCC, Mr. Jeff Teye Emmanuel Onyame; the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah; the chairman of the UCC@60 Planning Committee, Prof. Livingstone Sam-Amoah; Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Chairman of the Sam Jonah Library Board, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah and some members of faculty as well as non-faculty staff.

UCC Records Centre Inaugurated

Pro VC being supported by the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame and the Librarian, Dr. Cobblah (in UCC@60 fabric) to inaugurate the facility.

In a similar development, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, has inaugurated the Records Centre of the University of Cape Coast. The Records Centre, located at the Emmanuel Adow Obeng Central Administration block, is equipped with storage facilities for managing University records.

Additionally, it has equipment for digitalizing the records of the University.

Speaking briefly at the inauguration, Prof. Boohene urged the University community, especially the duty bearers, to liaise with the Centre to ensure professional management of the University’s records.

Dr. Cobblah taking the Pro VC and her team on a tour of the Records Centre

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

Authenticate Fertilizer Integrity to Improve Crop Yields-Prof. Teye

29 Sep, 2022 By DIS

A Food Integrity expert, Prof. Ernest Teye, says the lack of capacity for farmers to authenticate fertilizer integrity can be attributed to the reduction of crop yields across the country.

According to him, unsuspecting farmers were either using fake, expired or adulterated fertilizers on the market in their farms, affecting the nutrient contents of the soil to enhance yield.

To authenticate fertilizer integrity, Prof. Teye, who is also at the Department of Agricultural Engineering-UCC, called for the use of a portable sensor technology handheld device called Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which is also used for the measurement of Agrochemical inputs, food quality and food fraud.

Prof. Teye was speaking at a research seminar organized by the School of Agriculture on the topic, "Promoting Food and Agricultural Input Integrity: The Way Forward."

Explaining further, he said he and his research team separated fertilizers into three categories: authentic, fake and adulterated fertilizers. According to him, the team used the NIR spectroscopy device to authenticate the fertilizer integrity without sending the fertilizer category samples for laboratory test.

"We can say that, for now, our technique is feasible. You can use it to authenticate fertilizer integrity without going to the Lab and this can be done anywhere in Ghana so far as you have internet access. With this, a farmer can go to the shop and authenticate fertilizer integrity" he stressed.

Participants in the seminar

The Food Integrity expert continued, “Again, we also know that farmers are aware that sometimes they apply the fertilizer and they do not get the yields even though its written ‘fertilizer A’ on it but it could be that they have put in ‘fertilizer B’. So, with this technology, the farmer will be able to predict.”

Prof Teye mentioned the enormous benefits the portable sensor brings to Ghana, including generation of money from crop exportation. He said the research was crucial to the socio economic development of Ghana.

"Yield will increase, quality will increase and this research will even impact on the farmer to generate money and impact on the environment” he added.

The portable sensor, he added, could be used for soil classification or land use type, as well as used for simultaneous prediction of nitrogen, potassium, Calcium, potential hydrogen (ph) and magnesium.

Prof. Teye noted that he and his research team would soon train farmers on the use of the portable sensor devise. "...if you can make a call, WhatsApp, Facebook, it is also simple to be able to use this technology.

Our next thing is to train farmers and with this I am sure they can go forward" he concluded.

At the function, the Agribusiness Programme Coordinator with the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension-UCC, Dr. Alex T. K. Nuer, took participants through the topic, “Imbibing Sustainability Mindset Tools as a Responsible Management Education Pedagogy in Teaching Agribusiness Management: Insights, Contestations and Way the Forward." The Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Henry De-Graft Acquah, chaired the Seminar.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

Pages