The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to prepare students at the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management for the job market.

Under the agreement, TOUGHA shall provide internship opportunity for students of UCC, as well as honour invitation by the Department as guest lecturers. Additionally, the Department will also periodically support TOUGHA in the organization of short courses for its members

At a brief signing ceremony on Tuesday March 17, 2022, the President of TOUGHA, Madam Alisa Osei-Asamoah, who initialed for TOUGHA, explained that the collaboration would ensure that TOUGHA shares relevant industry data and information with the Department.

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The President of TOUGHA, Madam Alisa Osei-Asamoah, signing the MoU

Amongst others, she said the partnership, which will span two years, would also give the Department the mandate to offer TOUGHA members who possess the minimum required qualification the opportunity to participate in Post Graduate course of the Department.

Madam Osei-Asamoah indicated that the MoU would offer students the platform to gain hands-on industrial experience for job opportunities after school.

For his part, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Eric Amuquandoh, observed that the initiative would open doors for students in the job market and would also benefit the institutions from the skills, competencies and ideas of these students.

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The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Eric Amuquandoh, signing the MoU

He pointed out that the collaboration would close the yawning gap between industry and academia which would help prepare and equip students with the necessary job skills to be successful in the world of work.

“We are happy that you are getting closer…In fact, you are the consumers of our products. So we will work together to produce the desired products,” said Prof. Amuquandoh, who signed for UCC.

In a comment, the Head of the Department, Prof.  Issahaku Adam, commended TOUGHA for the collaboration and added that the Department was happy to be part of an agreement which would produce well-equipped graduates for the 21st century work environment.

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A group Photograph after the MoU

About TOUGHA

TOUGHA is the body representing tour operators in the country. It is incorporated as a Limited by Guarantee Entity by the Registrar General’s Department of Ghana in accordance with the Companies’ Act of 1963 (Act 179) and recognised by the GTA. It is also a member of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) and affiliated to other continental and global tourism organisations.TOUGHA was set up to, among other things, bring together registered tour operators and foster good working relationship among them.The Union is also expected to influence tourism legislation and contribute to tourism development, ensure high standards in the quality of tourism products and services as well as create awareness for domestic tourism. It also has the mandate of liaising with international institutions for the development of tourism and culture in Ghana.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

An Associate Professor of Animal Science with the School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Prof. Frederick N. A. Odoi, has made a case for the reintroduction of Agricultural Science into Ghana’s basic school.

Education policy makers, he added, could make Agricultural Science a liberal subject for students as an essential means of securing an efficient food production system for the country. He noted that agriculture education programs not only teach students to be farmers, but also train tomorrow's scientists, nutritionists, teachers and more. A combination of classroom instruction and applied agriculture experiences outside of the classroom build the foundation for educated consumers and agriculturists.

Prof Odoi made the suggestion at a symposium as part of outlined activities leading to the climax of the 60th anniversary of University of Cape Coast.

Organized by the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS), the symposium was on theme: “Quality Higher Education: Expanding Our Frontiers. The Role of CANS.”

He disagreed with people pressuring young graduates to venture into agriculture without providing them with the requisite support.

“Don’t shout at graduates to go and farm. How can a young graduate without land and money venture into farming? …the bank will not even look at him” he wondered.

He appealed to teachers not to make students perceive agriculture as a way of punishment in schools.

Prof. Odoi also recounted the formative stages of the Department of Agriculture to the status of a School currently. He mentioned the Sasakawa Foundation, Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and community engagements as some of the programmes that helped the forward match of the School.

Another contributor at the symposium who spoke on the School of Biological Sciences, Prof. John Blay took students through the various courses the School offers and the job prospects.

He asked students to strive to overcome inferiority complex in the pursuit of their educational goals. He encouraged them to build the needed confidence and develop a positive mindset in their academic activities.

Prof. V. Y. P. Gadzekpo, who also spoke on the journey of the School of Physical Sciences, advised senior high school students, especially females, to embrace physics at the university level.

He said they should not entertain fears in pursuing Physics courses at the university given how some women scientists had proven their worth in that field.

He noted Physics had many prospects for female students and encouraged them to venture into the field to develop their inherent potentials.

The symposium was preluded by an exhibition by various departments under the College and a Farmers’ Market.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

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A cross-section of exhibitors and patrons who participated in the Farmers’ Market and Exhibition event organized by the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS), University of Cape Coast have expressed satisfaction with the organization of the event.

 The Farmers’ Market and the Exhibition formed part of activities preluding the grand durbar of the 60th anniversary of the University of Cape Coast. The exhibition had on display equipment, technological innovations developed by the various departments as well as their activities. At the Farmers’ Market, the exhibitors who were mainly students from the School of Agriculture put on display some agricultural produce. 

The event brought together lecturers, students and a broad section of members of the University community and the general public to interact with exhibitors. It also offered patrons the opportunity to purchase varieties of products.

Provost of CANS-UCC, Prof. Moses Joojo Eghan, who visited some of the stands mounted by exhibitors, encouraged patrons to take advantage of the opportunities the Farmers’ Market presented. According to him, agriculture was a profitable venture that had bright prospects, especially for the youth. He, therefore, urged the youth to engage in agriculture especially smart agriculture which involves green housing, precision irrigation and precise plant nutrition among others.

According to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the agricultural sector contributes about 54% of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs about 60% of the population through the value chain. It accounts for 40% of export earnings, while providing over 90% of the food needs of the country.

Prof. Eghan refuted the erroneous perception that agriculture was a form of punishment and the preserve of the uneducated and poor.

Deans, Heads of Departments, lecturers and students of the College, as well as a cross section of the public, visited the various pavilions to interact with exhibitors and transact business.

 Impressions of Exhibitors and Patrons

Some exhibitors and patrons who participated in the Farmers’ Market were highly enthused about the turn out of the event.

Master Joseph Tetteh, a level 400 student with the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, said patrons purchased the coconuts he mounted at the stand, adding that the Farmers’ Market had really helped him cash in.

Another, Mr. Isaac Frimpong, a staff member at the Technology Unit of UCC Farms, noted that patronage was good and commended the organizers for the rare opportunity to present his cassava produce to the patrons.

A patron, Miss Gloria Osei, a level 100 student, who purchased quite a quantity of farm produce, called for more of the Farmers’ Market event on campus, adding that “the foodstuff were very affordable and of natural sources.” She, however, appealed to the organizers to position the Farmers’ Market event on convenient dates next semester to enable more of her colleagues to patronize the event.

Although some stands at the event had most patrons window shopping, exhibitors were of the firm conviction that their products had been made known to the patrons.

Prior to the Farmers’ Market, the College held a symposium on the theme: “Quality Higher Education: Expanding Our Frontiers. The Role of CANS”

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Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

The Ghana Universities Staff Superannuation Scheme (GUSSS), University of Cape Coast (UCC) wing has held its annual general meeting (AGM) to engage contributors on activities of the Scheme.

Dr. Thomas Agyarko-Poku, Chairman of GUSS Management Board, in his opening remarks, explained that the meeting was convened to present the situational and 2021 Audited Financial Statements to members.

The general meeting was a hybrid session - virtual and in-person.

The highlights of the presentations included Independent Auditor’s Report, Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Finance Performance, Statement of Changes in equity and Statement of Cash flow. Others were Notes to the Financial Statement, Members’ contribution, Gratuity payment for 2021 retirees, Members and secondment and leave of absence and Pension.

In attendance were the Scheme Manager, Mrs. Elizabeth Obese; the Schedule Officer, Dr. (Mrs) Philomina Araba Sam and the GUSSS Management Board Secretary, Mr. John Linscell Yen.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC