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IMANI Vice President calls for Academic-Industry collaboration to address developmental challenges

19 Jun, 2025 By DIS

The Vice President of IMANI Ghana, Mr. Bright Simons, has underscored the urgent need for Ghana to adopt a structured recycling policy to address environmental challenges.

He made the call during a policy engagement session at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), which aimed at exploring sustainable development pathways for Ghana.

The event was attended by Dr. Stephen Moore, a lecturer at the Department of Mathematics, UCC, alongside students and faculty members. It served as a platform for thought-provoking discussions on national development, sustainability, and the role of academia in shaping policy.

Mr. Simons, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of MPedigree, challenged participants to rethink Ghana's development strategies through innovative research and environmentally conscious approaches.

He highlighted that an effective recycling framework could do more than addressing environmental concerns. It could also stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and encourage sustainable industrial practices. According to him, recycling should not be seen merely as a waste management tactic, but as a viable economic driver with long-term benefits for the country.

“Ghana must move beyond rhetoric and begin to treat recycling as an economic imperative. With the right investment and policy backing, recycling can become a key sector for job creation and innovation,” he stated.

He also underscored the role of academic institutions in national development, arguing that research must extend beyond scholarly debates to influence real-world policy. Mr. Simons urged universities to produce more policy-relevant research and publications that can inform and shape decisions at governmental and institutional levels.

“It is not enough to publish for journals; the research must engage with the policy space. Academic insights should feed into the national conversation on issues such as education, health, climate change, and governance,” he emphasized.

Mr. Simons advocated the emergence of social entrepreneurs and what he described as “Mavericks” bold, innovative thinkers who challenge conventional norms and lead social transformation.

He urged the youth, especially students, to adopt innovation and entrepreneurship as effective means of tackling community issues and fostering national development.

Speaking at the function, a senior lecturer at the Department of Mathematics, Dr. Stephen Moore, said the lecture reinforced the growing recognition of the importance of academia-industry collaboration in addressing Ghana’s developmental challenges. Dr. Moore who coordinated the lecture said there was the need for continuous dialogue among policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and civil society actors to shape a sustainable and inclusive future for the country.

The session concluded with an open forum where students and lecturers engaged Mr. Simons on various issues, including youth participation in policy-making, education reform, and technological innovation.

Source: Documentation and Information Section

Institutional Affiliation Office Donates Risograph Machine to UCC Basic School Annex

18 Jun, 2025 By DIS

The Institutional Affiliation Office (IAO) has donated a risograph printing machine to the University of Cape Coast Basic School Annex to enhance academic work and promote effective teaching and learning.

The donation, which took place  at the school premises, was in response to a formal request made by the Headteacher of the school, Mr. Victor Fiifi Addison.

According to Mr. Addison, the school had faced challenges in producing large volumes of printed materials, especially examination papers. He noted that the donation of the risograph machine would greatly ease the pressure on staff and significantly improve the efficiency of academic work at the school.

“We are extremely grateful for this timely intervention by the Institutional Affiliation Office. This machine will not only reduce our reliance on external printing services but will also help ensure the timely delivery of examination papers and teaching materials.” Mr. Addison stated.

The Head of IAO, Dr. Justice K. G. A. Boateng, who presented the machine, explained that the donation formed part of the Office’s broader initiative to support both teaching and non-teaching units within the University. He added that, as part of this commitment, the Office had previously donated theatre equipment to the University Hospital to help enhance the delivery of quality healthcare to both the University community and residents of Cape Coast.

He emphasized the importance of supporting foundational education as a key part of the University’s developmental agenda. “We believe that a strong foundation at the basic level is essential to nurturing academic excellence, and we are proud to contribute to that process,” he said.

A student in Basic School 1, Krobea Asante, expressed appreciation to IAO, describing the donation as a morale booster and a practical solution to one of the school’s logistical challenges.

Source: Documentation and Information Section

 

Take Science, Technology Seriously - Prof. Frimpong-Boateng

18 Jun, 2025 By DIS

A former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has underscored the need for African governments to take Science and Technology seriously in order not to lag in development.

He attributed the gap between rich and poor nations to the use of technology by farmers and said that if poor countries could invest more in technology, they would soon be at par with the rich and developed countries.

“If we want to develop like the developed countries, then the only way to go is science and technology. Our poverty gap is a technology gap, and we must address this urgently,” he said.

He said it was disappointing that even though Ghana, decades ago, set out on the path of using technology to advance its development, it was still grappling with challenges in the agricultural and other sectors of the economy.

To him, leveraging Science and Technology and mainstreaming research for development was the panacea for reversing this trend. He reiterated the fact that the real difference between developed countries and the underdeveloped ones in Africa was in their technological capacity.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng made this observation at the official opening of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

It was on the theme, "A decade of Excellence in Science, Technology and Agriculture: Honouring our Past, and Shaping the future."

Group photo of some participants

He challenged science and technology-oriented universities and research institutions to live up to their core mandate of using technology and introducing new methods to address key developmental challenges facing the country.

The former minister mentioned some of his achievements as the construction of a 400-kilowatt (KW) hybrid power plant at Atwima Nwabiagya in the Ashanti Region.

He described the W2E project as one that had a multiplier effect, since it created sustainable access to energy, while helping to tackle sanitation challenges, as well as providing fertilizer for agricultural purposes.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng  said he helped the government to establish the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Fund located at the Crops Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSRI), at Fumesua in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking on the topic, "Harnessing the Blue Economy: Accelerating Ghana's Developmental Goals for Sustainable Growth," A Research Fellow at the Centre for Coastal Management - Africa Centre of Excellence for Coastal Resilience (ACECoR), Dr. Rodrigue Pelebe, said the blue economy had great potential to contribute to higher and faster economic growth across Africa.

Dr. Rodrigue Pelebe

He indicated that Africa’s blue economy, including broadly the preservation of the continent’s oceans and the responsible and sustainable use of its resources through the fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, renewable energy and biotechnology industries, was an untapped treasure trove. 

Blue economy is a term that refers to the sustainable use of coastal and marine natural resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods, and jobs.

Dr. Pelebe said the blue economy not only sought to promote economic growth but also to preserve the health and cleanliness of the ocean.

He added that the blue economy tenets, when pursued, would help achieve economic growth and economic development as well as attain the majority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For instance, the blue economy calls for the prevention and reduction of marine pollution; and protect marine and coastal ecosystems and these will help to reduce climate-related events hence, building climate-resilient marine communities leading to the attainment of SDG 13 - climate change, SDG 14 - life below water, SDG 8, decent employment, and SDG 2, food security.

"Also, the blue economy calls for ensuring there is an end to overfishing and illegal fishing practices. These could help achieve SDG 2," he added.

The event was chaired by a former Provost of CANS, Prof. Samuel Yeboah Mensah.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Workshop on Gender and Youth in the maize value chain held at UCC

18 Jun, 2025 By DIS

A two-day workshop aimed at educating stakeholders in the maize value chain on facilitating sustainable intensification of African farming systems has been held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). 

The workshop brought together farmers, marketers, processors, extension officers, teachers, and consumers.

It was held by SustInAfrica, a research project empowering West and North African smallholder farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to facilitate sustainable intensification of African farming systems.

The project, which started in 2020 and will continue for five years, has received funding from the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement 861924.

The Coordinator of the Project, Prof. Kwame Agyei Frimpong, said the project was aimed at developing and deploying a reference framework on best agricultural practices and technologies, based on a systems approach, and successfully verified for their efficacy to intensify primary production in a self-sufficient, sustainable, and resilient manner.

"Through knowledge-sharing and hands-on training, participants will gain valuable skills in areas such as improved production practices, post-harvest handling, market access, and value addition," Prof. Frimpong continued.

Coordinator of the Project, Prof. Kwame Agyei Frimpong

He said the choice of maize was because the crop is a staple food in Ghana.

"Maize can be grown in almost all agricultural zones in Ghana. It is useful for food, and serves as raw materials for industry," he said.

Prof. Frimpong further mentioned that the programme was targeting smallholder farmers within the maize value chain system since “the smallholder farmers produce 90 per cent of the staple foods in Ghana.

A beneficiary farmer from Ejura in the Ashanti Region, Afia Kumah, said the workshop had enlightened her about the importance of having values, goals, and a clear vision in her maize farming endeavours.

She said such workshops would significantly aid in enhancing the agricultural sector in Ghana, adding that her mission was to share the new insights with fellow farmers in her area who could not attend the workshop.

Facilitators at the workshop were Mary Sweeney, Gender Advisor, Self Help Africa, Ireland and Fatouma Zara Laquan, Gender Expert, Director of Nitsouwa Consulting Group, Niger.

Participants were given certificates of participation.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Rev. Ignatius P.K Otsibu, JP

Current Recorder, University of Cape Coast

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David Nii Commey Ankrah

David Nii Commey Ankrah

A level 100 student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, David Nii Commey Ankrah has been adjudged the Best Performing Candidate in West Africa for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

David Nii Commey Ankrah, a past student of Hope College, Gomoa Fetteh, emerged as the overall top performer for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) organised examination in the sub-region.

At the WASSCE Distinction Awards ceremony  held in Monrovia, Liberia, from 16th to 19th March 2025, he was presented with the prestigious First Prize for International Excellence for his exceptional results. 

In further recognition of his academic excellence, David was honoured by the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, during a meeting with members of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) on 9th April 2025 at the Sunyani Technical University.

This remarkable achievement is a reflection of David’s dedication and academic excellence. The University of Cape Coast, together with the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is proud to be associated with him and commend him for the outstanding performance. 

 

 

Student Spotlight
David Nii Cmmey Ankrah

UCC Level 100 Pharmacy Student Wins Top WASSCE Award

16 Jun, 2025 By DIS

A level 100 student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, David Nii Commey Ankrah has been adjudged the Best Performing Candidate in West Africa for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates.

David Nii Commey Ankrah, a past student of Hope College, Gomoa Fetteh, emerged as the overall top performer for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) organised examination in the sub-region.

At the WASSCE Distinction Awards ceremony  held in Monrovia, Liberia, from 16th to 19th March 2025, he was presented with the prestigious First Prize for International Excellence for his exceptional results. 

David Nii Commey Ankrah

In further recognition of his academic excellence, David was honoured by the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, during a meeting with members of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) on 9th April 2025 at the Sunyani Technical University.

David Nii Commey Ankrah and other award winners with the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis (seated-middle) and other dignitaries

This remarkable achievement is a reflection of David’s dedication and academic excellence. The University of Cape Coast and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in particular, is proud to be associated with David and commend him for the outstanding performance.

Participants pledge to use data-driven educational planning in Ghana

13 Jun, 2025 By DIS

Stakeholders in the education sector have pledged to collect credible data to guide policymakers in their planning for school children in the country.

They indicated that sometimes figures were at variance with the reality on the ground.

These were Schools Improvement Support Officers (SISOs), Planning Officers, Statistical Officers, and Training Officers of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Greater Accra Region who pledged their commitment at a one-day workshop organised by the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA), a UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for West Africa, based at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The workshop, held in partnership with the Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) of the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, and the Ghana Education Service (GES), aimed at enhancing the data collection skills of participants to directly contribute to the reliability of the EMIS.

A Deputy Director General of IEPA, Prof. Alfred Kweku Ampah-Mensah, in charge of Academic Programmes and Professional Development, underlined the need for participants to take accurate data collection indicators for the health and well-being of students.

According to him, credible data would help authorities in the education sector to plan for all students in the second cycle institutions.

He urged participants to prioritise excellence in planning, training, and execution, as their work will directly impact the progress of the education sector.

He said evidence-based data was the way to go to improve formulation and planning to ensure learning outcomes.

The Director-General of the IEPA, Prof. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, said the data collection training was instructive and  was optimistic that participants would be empowered to collect data, analyse and share with policy makers to make the right decisions.

He urged participants to put the knowledge acquired at the training into practice and find an opportunity to share with others who were not privileged enough to be part of the programme.

Prof. Boakye-Yiadom said IEPA would organise workshops across the regions in Ghana so that other GES staff members would benefit from being equipped with the skills to collect reliable educational data for national development. 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

UCC Faculty of Law Reignites National Debate on Constitutional Reform

12 Jun, 2025 By louis Mensah

The Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has reignited the national conversation on constitutional reform, calling for a more participatory and value-driven approach to governance in Ghana.

At the 12th edition of its flagship Jurists’ Confab, held under the theme “Rewriting the Rulebook: Constitutional Reform in Ghana,” prominent legal scholars, social justice activists and policy analysts gathered to assess whether the 1992 Constitution remains fit for purpose in an evolving democratic landscape.

In his opening remarks, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, underscored the urgency of the reform agenda. “The call for constitutional review is no longer a conversation of convenience but a call to action,” he declared. “How do we create a participatory constitution?” he asked.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto

Delivering the keynote address, Emerita Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), argued that while the 1992 Constitution successfully guided political transitions, it has failed to adequately regulate the everyday exercise of power.

“If the constitution clearly spells out the role of power holders, it will prevent the excuse of ignorance of the law and reduce mismanagement in state institutions,” she said. Citing the Kenyan Constitution as a model, she called for the explicit articulation of the values and responsibilities underpinning each arm of government and state institutions.

Emerita Professor Takyiwaa Manuh (Esq.)

Making a presentation on “Ghana’s Recurrent Policy Mania and the Therapeutic Claims of Fiscal Constitution, President of mPedigree, Mr. Bright Simons, called for greater policy accountability to match political accountability.

Mr. Simons, who is also the Vice President of the Imani Centre for Policy and Education, decried what he termed “political dysphonia” which according to him was the disconnect between citizen voices and policy impact. He called for “policy stamina” over transient “political will that will ensure long-term accountability in policy making.”

Mr. Bright Simons

In her address, founder of Kasser Law Firm and chair of the 2023 Constitutional Review Consultative Committee, Mrs. Clara Kasser-Tee,  presentated on “The Most Vilified yet Most Enduring Constitution in Ghana’s History “Does the 1992 Constitution Need an Overhaul?” She acknowledged the Constitution’s resilience but insisted that reform efforts must be deliberate and guided by national values.

“The truth about nation-building is that it is a collective affair,” she said. “Legal reform alone will be ineffective without a shared commitment to those values.”

Mrs. Clara Kasser-Tee (Esq.)

In her remarks, the Dean, of the Faculty of Law, UCC, Mrs. Julia Elysa Selman-Ayetey, highlighted the Confab’s role as a platform for critical national dialogue. She referenced recent constitutional controversies—including debates surrounding the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, parliamentary processes, and the petition to remove the Chief Justice, as signs of a system under strain.

“These developments raise fundamental questions about whether and to what extent constitutional reform is overdue,” she noted.

Dean, the Faculty of Law, UCC, Mrs. Julia Elysa Selman-Ayetey (Esq.)

The Jurists’ Confab brought together academics, judges, private legal practitioners, state attorneys and policymakers. Others were law enforcement agencies, faith leaders, civil society actors and students for a spirited and timely examination of Ghana’s constitutional future.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

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