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UCC lecturers granted access to research facilities and database for collaborative Project

08 Aug, 2024 By DIS

Six Faculty Members from the Departments of Chemistry and Physics have been granted access to research facilities and database of Penn State University and the International Centre for Diffraction (ICDD) to conduct collaborative projects.

The Faculty Members are Dr. Francis Nsiah (Department of Chemistry), Dr. Samuel Tetteh (Department of Chemistry), Prof. Raymond Edziah (Department of Physics), Dr. Samuel Sonko Sackey (Department of Physics), Dr. Albert Ofori (Department of Chemistry) and Dr. Michael Vowotor ((Department of Physics).

The Project will lead to the training of chemists, physicists and material scientists from the University of Cape Coast.

Below is the story on the official website of the ICDD.

The International Centre for Diffraction Data recently awarded a group of researchers at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), in Cape Coast, Ghana, Africa, two years of access to the PDF-5+ database and JADE® Pro software as part of the organization’s FAIR (Free Access to ICDD Resources) initiative. FAIR is an initiative aimed at promoting global scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing by providing free database access to selected labs worldwide. The database is a valuable resource for researchers in materials science, chemistry, and related fields as it contains information on the crystallographic properties of a vast array of materials, including minerals, metals, and polymers.

The UCC group was recommended for the initiative through collaborations with Penn State University (MRI and MATSE) and is designed with the goal in mind of both helping laboratories with current financial limitations in acquiring the database and analysis software and in developing collaborations with groups and researchers in Africa.

In addition to general access to the database, the ICDD will assist with training in data mining using PDF-5+ and phase identification using JADE Pro to foster a more collaborative and inclusive scientific community where all researchers have equal opportunities to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and innovation, regardless of their financial resources or geographic location. Ultimately, the goal is a collaboration between researchers at all organizations (UCC, PSU, ICDD) and the publication of research results in the Powder Diffraction Journal. After two years of free access, the UCC can purchase the database at a reduced renewal rate.

Source: ICDD/DIS-UCC

 

 

School of Allied Health Sciences Holds Handover Ceremony

08 Aug, 2024 By DIS

The School of Allied Health Sciences has held a handover ceremony for two former Heads of Department to newly-appointed ones.

Prof. Alexander Egyir-Yawson of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Dr. Richard Okyere of the Department of Health Information Management passed the mantle of responsibility and leadership of their respective departments to the new heads.

The freshly appointed heads are Prof. Kofi Amegah (Department of Biomedical Sciences) who will run a three-year term and Dr. Nathan Kumasenu Mensah (Department of Health Information Management) who will run a term of two years.

Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong

The Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, congratulated the new Heads of Departments and advised them to run an open-door administration and be tolerant of divergent views.

He also tasked them not to be selfish but rather draw the milk of human kindness in them to serve their departments dutifully.

Prof. Acheampong underlined the need for the new office holders, in discharging their duties, to treat everybody equally and refrain from discrimination.

 “If you are a leader and you leave office and there is nobody to take over, it means you were not a leader. A leader mentors. So, by the time you leave office, there should be someone more competent to take over from you. So let us try as much as possible to delegate responsibilities while in office,” he further advised.

Prof. Alexander Egyir-Yawson and Dr. Richard Okyere, the outgone heads of department

On behalf of his colleague, Prof. Alexander Egyir-Yawson, pledged the unflinching support of the old Heads of Department to the new.

He thanked the Vice-Chancellor and all staff of the School of Allied Health Sciences for their support and the opportunity given them to serve the University.

For his part, Dr. Nathan Kumasenu Mensah, thanked the immediate past Heads of Department for their exceptional leadership from which they had learnt a lot.

He urged all staff to support them to make their departments a better place for all.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

Valco Trust Hall gets Major Facelift

08 Aug, 2024 By DIS

VALCO Trust Hall, the sole graduate student hall of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has been given a massive facelift.

The renovation works saw the fitting of all washrooms, replacement of wash basins, repair of leaking ceilings, and refitting of all kitchens.

The rest are the provision of temporary emergency lighting, the addition of new bath and toilet cubicles, as well as polishing and painting of all internal and external wall surfaces.

The renovated hall is expected to provide a conducive and inclusive space for graduate students.

Appreciation

Commenting on the rationale for the renovation, the Hall Master, Prof. Stephen Ocansey, said the renovation came on the heels of a proposal by the Hall Management to the University Management in April 2023 to address the deteriorating condition of the hall and ensure it was in line with the standards befitting graduate students.

The proposal, according to him, was also aimed at expanding the initial renovation scope of the washrooms to a full-scale overhaul of the hall's facilities.

"The renovations were necessary to uplift the status of the hall and provide a conducive living environment for our graduate students. We are grateful to the University Management for their support and the loan facility extended to cover the renovation costs. The loan will be repaid by the hall from its proceeds", Prof. Ocansey noted.

He commended the management of the University for the facelift.

The Hall Master called on all graduate students to care for the hall to prolong its lifespan.

For his part, the President of the Graduate Students Association of UCC and a member of the Hall Management Board, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, expressed satisfaction with the completed work.

"The VALCO Trust Hall now truly befits the status of graduate students at our university", he said.

Valco Trust Hall

The VALCO Trust Hall, formally known as the VALCO Trust Fund Graduate Hostel, was constructed with funds from the VALCO Trust Fund to alleviate the accommodation challenges faced by graduate students at UCC. Before its establishment, graduate students were housed in traditional halls of residence. The increasing number of graduate students due to the expansion of graduate programmes necessitated the need for a dedicated hall.

Commissioned on January 29, 2003, by Dr. J.A. Bukoo-Allotey, on behalf of the VALCO Trust Fund's Board of Trustees, the hall was a significant milestone in the University's history.

The hall is designed to accommodate 120 graduate students, with an equal split between male and female residents.

The hall's mission is to provide a well-maintained and community-oriented facility where residents and staff are empowered to learn, innovate, and succeed. Its vision is to become a first-class accommodation facility on UCC campus.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

UCC honours staff for meritorious work

06 Aug, 2024 By DIS

 

Eighteen (18) staff members of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have been rewarded for their sterling work and dedication to duty. The number comprised four (4) senior members, nine (9) senior staff and five (5) junior staff.

For their prize, each of the awardees was presented with a certificate, an undisclosed amount of money and a plaque.

The outgoing director of the Directorate of Human Resource, Rev Isaac Baafi Sarbeng and Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Emmanuel Onyame were also presented with meritorious awards for their dedication and service to the University.

Chairing the event, the Provost of the College of Distance Education (CoDE), Prof. Anokye Mohammed Adam, in his address, commended the award winners for their dedication, commitment and devotion to duty, and expressed the hope that the awards would motivate them to work hard.

"Management is grateful for availing your skills, experiences and unique personality traits to impact your work. You made a difference and your contributions to the development of the University have been brought to bear today" said Prof. Anokye, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong.

Mrs. Helena Aba Thompson receiving her award as distinguished teacher from the Chairman of Convocation, Dr. Vincent Assanful

He, however, asked them to work harder than before to enhance performance and productivity and further admonished all staff members of the University to continue to give their best in all they do.

Explaining the criteria for the awards, the Director of Human Resource, Mr. Isaac Adom-Konadu, said the committee received fifty-three (53) nominations.

"In line with the awards policy, the committee adopted the following processes; invitation to heads of department and staff to nominate deserving staff for consideration, consideration of written justification recommendations of nominees per the criteria as indicated in the document policy and selected or shortlisted deserving nominees based on the strength of the written justifications and recommendations,” he continued.

Provost of CoDE, Prof. Anokye M. Adam (L) presenting a meritorious award to the acting Registrar, Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey (R) who picked the award on behalf of the outgone Registrar, Mr. Jeff Onyame

Mr. Adom-Konadu said the process also entailed investigation of conduct, work output, and perception of selected nominees by visiting their departments, sections and units as well as interaction with selected nominees’ heads and colleagues.

Prof. Anokye also entreated staff members to patronize the award initiative adding that the award policy would be reviewed to rope in other areas.

On behalf of the awardees, Dr. Justice Boateng said they were honoured to be recognised and expressed gratitude to UCC for the gesture.

The awards ceremony was well attended by families, relatives of the awardees and staff members of UCC.

 Dr. Justice Boateng, Head of the Institutional Affiliation Office extending appreciation on behalf of awardees at the event

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

UCC shows appreciation to retirees

06 Aug, 2024 By DIS

After several years of dedicated service to the University of Cape Coast (UCC), one hundred and five (105) workers have bowed out of the University on attaining the compulsory retirement age of 60 years.

The retirees, including thirty (31) senior members, twenty-one (21) senior staff, and fifty-three (53) junior staff from various departments and sections of the University, were honoured at a Send-Off and Long Service Awards Ceremony.

Each retiree was awarded a citation and received varying items including fridges and freezers, television sets, living room furniture and gas burners depending on the length of service.

The longest-serving retiree, Ing. Joseph Wilberforce Ansah receiving his citation from the Director of Consular and General Services, Mrs. Alberta Graham

The longest-serving retiree was Ing. Joseph Wilberforce Ansah, the immediate past head of the Electricity Section, who served for 42 years.

Notable among the retirees were the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Emmanuel Onyame; the Director of the Directorate of Human Resource, Rev. Isaac Baafi Sarbeng and the Director of ICT, Dr. Alex Asante.

The Provost of the College of Distance Education (CoDE), Prof. Anokye Mohammed Adam, who chaired the ceremony, commended the retirees for their immense contributions to the institution while in active service.

Provost of the College of Distance Education (CoDE), Prof. Anokye Mohammed Adam

"Though we cannot adequately compensate them for their invaluable services, we can at least declare the depth of our gratitude to each of them. Ayeekoo! Patriots of UCC and Ghana. Well done senior men and women for your dedicated service to UCC", he said.

Prof. Anokye, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, indicated that the retirees had been the backbone of UCC, ensuring that UCC continued to fulfill its mission of providing quality education and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

Some of the items the retirees received in appreciation of their service to the University

Against that backdrop, the Provost observed that the management of UCC would continue to appreciate and commit to the well-being of the retirees by strengthening and providing medical health support to them. 

For the active staff, Prof. Anokye urged them to renew their commitment to the service of the University by demonstrating punctuality, loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness and hard work to enhance the status of the school globally. 

Felicitations were extended to the retirees by representatives of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), the Senior Staff Association, Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU). 

The outgone Director of Human Resource, Rev. Isaac Baafi Sarbeng (in white) receiving a citation from the Provost of the College of Education Studies, Prof. Ernest Davies

While expressing a feeling of nostalgia, Mr. Joseph Wilberforce Ansah, who spoke on behalf of the retirees, expressed profound gratitude to the University for the support it had given them.

The event also witnessed 18 active staff members of the University receiving awards for their dedication and hard work.

A section of retirees in a photo with some members of UCC management

 Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

MMDAs urged to allocate budget for Air Pollution

06 Aug, 2024 By DIS

Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been urged to make budgetary allocations for air pollution to safeguard public health and the environment.

The move will spare no effort at monitoring air quality in every electoral area in the MMDAs across the country. The Lead Project of the Ghana Urban Air Quality Project (GHAir), Prof. Adeladza Kofi Amegah made the remarks at a two-day boot camp on air pollution mitigation organised under the Ghana Urban Air Project (GHAir) with support from the US Department of State-funded CLEAN AIR AFRICAN NETWORK Project led by Makerere University, Uganda for Assembly members from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly.

The boot camp was aimed at raising awareness of air pollution among the Assembly members and soliciting their support in influencing and shaping policies at the assemblies to help improve air quality in their respective electoral areas.

He continued, "You all sit in assembly meetings and I am not sure you pass any budget that has air pollution in there. We want to change the narrative. What we are requesting of you is to support the air pollution agenda so that we can get air pollution to feature in the budget of the assemblies."

Prof. Amegah, who is an Associate Professor of Environmental and Nutritional Epidemiology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Cape Coast, highlighted the key sources of air pollution in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) as transportation/vehicular traffic, open waste burning, and burning of firewood and charcoal for cooking, as well as industrial pollution. 

Prof. Amegah (hand raised) taking the participants through a presentation at the boot camp

He said the Project had real-time data on the levels of pollution in GAMA through their over 65 low-cost air sensors which the Assembly members could leverage to make convincing arguments at assembly meetings on the need to incorporate air pollution in the annual budgets of the assemblies.

According to him, the country had laws and regulations on managing air quality, but enforcement was lacking. He pointed out that street hawkers and traffic police officers were exposed to air pollutants emanating from the vehicles. He, therefore, enjoined street hawkers and traffic police officers to wear nose masks to prevent air pollution-related diseases.

Prof. Amegah, however, admitted that hordes of street hawkers were breadwinners of their families and had no better option than to engage in street hawking business.

He, therefore, called for improved nutrition such as the consumption of selenium, vitamin C, E and D-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats to help mitigate air pollution health effects among street hawkers and other groups vulnerable to air pollution exposure.

"While we want to remove the hawkers from the streets, we need to find alternative livelihoods for them. So, we are trying to find nutritional intervention that can reduce the health effects as a result of air pollution exposure," he added.

Prof. Amegah, who is the Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at UCC, also recommended Ghanaians to engage in activities such as walking and cycling which not only are part of efforts to combat air pollution but also have public health co-benefit of improved cardiovascular health.

He announced that plans were afoot for the Project to develop a Mobile App to monitor the air quality in the MMDAs.

For his part, the Assembly member for Madina Zongo, Mohammed Cisse, speaking to the press after the event used the opportunity to thank the GHAir Project for the boot camp and promised that the Assembly members would use their good offices to prevail on their Chief Executives to buy into the idea of including air pollution in the budgets of the assemblies.

He added that the time was ripe for Assembly members to leverage digitisation to fight air pollution in their electoral areas and described the soon-to-be-launched Mobile App by the GHAir Project as timely as it would be a boon to check air quality in their assemblies.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

UCC KG ends term with graduation ceremony

06 Aug, 2024 By DIS

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) Kindergarten (KG) has organised a graduation ceremony for KG 2 pupils of the school.

The colourful event was held on the theme: “60+1 Years of Ensuring Quality Early Childhood Education: The Role of Stakeholders”.

The ceremony attracted parents of the graduating class, the clergy and a section of the public who were treated to cultural displays by the school’s cultural troupe and choreography by the Creative Minds Group.

The school's cadet corps also displayed their budding skills and marched to the admiration of the guests who graced the occasion.

As part of the ceremony, the headteacher of UCC KG, Miss. Linda Ayingura took the salute at the parade and commended the pupils for their smart turnout and display.

Some pupils dressed to represent varied professions in a role-play

At the event, selected pupils took turns to role-play different careers, receiving rapturous applause.

Professions such as law, fire service, police, military, engineering, medicine, nursing, and teaching were showcased by the pupils.

The Director of the Biomedical and Clinical Research Centre at UCC, Prof. Samuel Kyei, who chaired the ceremony, congratulated the graduands for their hard work and dedication to their studies and wished them a prosperous future.

He told parents that the best investment was one made in their children’s education. Consequently, He urged parents to keep on sacrificing for their children while they move on to the next level of their education.

Prof. Kyei, who represented the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, expressed gratitude to the teachers and parents for their cooperation in ensuring effective teaching and learning in the school.

A former Headteacher of UCC KG, Ms Adwoa Ewur, presenting a certificate to a graduand, Master Judah Godfred Mensah

For her part, Miss. Linda Ayingura, in a remark, congratulated the graduands and encouraged them to uphold the good values they had learnt in the school.

She appealed to the management of the University to assist in re-roofing the school building.

As part of the programme, the University KG bid farewell to two retired staff members. The two retirees, who were presented with citations, were Madam Florence Adjokway and Mrs. Doris Nyarko.

Mrs. Florence Adjokway, on behalf of the duo, expressed gratitude for the recognition.

Some pupils in a role play at the event

The graduands were also presented with certificates.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

Texas Instruments Education donates 100 calculators to Dept. of Maths and ICT Education

30 Jul, 2024 By DIS

In a remarkable act of generosity, Texas Instruments Education, a German-based company, has presented 100 electronic hand-held TI 84 CE calculators worth GHS 100,000 to the Department of Maths and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Education.

The gesture is to help enhance the teaching and learning of ICT in the Department.

The Director of Texas Instruments Education, Mr. Stephan Griebel, speaking via Zoom, said the donation aligns with the firm’s commitment to advancing ICT education in tertiary institutions.

He pledged to strengthen and foster an even more robust relationship with the Department.

Mr. Griebel noted that such partnerships were crucial for equipping the next generation with the skills and resources necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The Provost of the College of Education Studies, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, on receiving the calculators, said the donation from Texas Instrument Education had come at a time when many students need high-powered calculators to aid their learning.

Prof. Davies displaying one of the calculators

He assured the firm that the calculators would be put to optimal use.

"We hope our friendship with Texas Instrument Education will grow even to other areas of learning instruments that will help us to deliver 21st-century skills," he continued.

The Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Education, Prof. Douglas D. Agyei, in a remark, thanked the donor for the gesture and appealed for more assistance.

He announced that the faculty had introduced a programme in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for pre-service teachers in ICT education and the calculators would be of immense help to them.

Prof. Agyei emphasised the importance of equipping students with the essential skills for the fourth industrial revolution.

Head, Department of Maths and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Education, Dr. Foster D. Ntow

The Head of the Department of Maths and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Education, Dr. Foster D. Ntow, during his address, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Department to the Texas Instrument Education.

He pledged to ensure that the calculators were used purposefully.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

 

UCC staff member selected for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

30 Jul, 2024 By DIS

Mr. David Tweneboah Koduah, a Sports Coach in charge of Para Sports at the University of Cape Coast, has been selected as one of the six (6) international technical officials for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Goalball Competition.

Mr. Koduah is the only Ghanaian penciled among the team of technical officials for the Paralympic archery events scheduled from 28th August to 8th September in France.

 KEY EVENTS

•Participant, 2016, IBSA Goalball Workshop for Referees/ Coaches / Officials, Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire.

•Participant, 2018, IBSA Goalball Workshop for Referees/Coaches/Officials in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

•Referee, 2022 Cape Winelands Goalball tournament in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

•Referee, 2023, International Trakai Goalball Tournament in Trakai, Lithuania.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

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