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Develop mathematical curriculum on cultural realities – Policymakers Advised

05 Apr, 2024 By DIS

A professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, has stressed the need for social and cultural issues, including values in mathematics to be considered seriously in mathematics curriculum development and delivery in the country.

That, according to him, would make the teaching and learning of the subject relevant to students.

To him, mathematics was often taught out of context to students using foreign concepts, making it difficult for them to link those abstract concepts to their everyday realities, culminating in poor performances.

Prof. Davis made these suggestions at his inaugural lecture which was on the theme, “Sociocultural Issues: A Missing Ingredient in Mathematics Curriculum Development and Delivery in Ghana.”

Prof. Davis being robed by former VC-UCC, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah (L) and Prof. Johnsonson Nyarko Boampong, Vice-Chancellor (R)

He maintained that while the literature suggests that every culture generates its mathematics that may not be the same as the “Western” or “international mathematics”, curriculum development and delivery in mathematics appears to adopt the culture-blind approach.

Prof. Davis, also the Provost of the College of Education Studies-UCC, stated that students’ mathematical competence should be built on what they already know.

“If we want to train students who are relevant to the current demands of our 21st century, then the students will require adequate mathematical skills otherwise they cannot survive the 21st century demand”, he noted.

“To make the teaching and learning of Mathematics relevant to students from indigenous communities and sub-Saharan African countries that were once colonised, there is the need to appreciate the local aspect of mathematical knowledge, values and the local aspect of Mathematics pedagogy, and their implications for curriculum development and implementation”, Prof. Davis continued.

The Oguaamanhen, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II (in green) flanked by some traditional leaders

Prof Davis said stakeholders paid very little attention to the social and cultural factors as well as the cognitive mode of students in the development and implementation of Mathematics curricula. That approach, he noted, disabled the students’ abilities to develop the ideal mathematical proficiency.

“I argue that students who are labelled as weak and eventually excluded from formal education may be so labelled not because they are weak in Mathematics but because curriculum development and delivery systems continue to ignore and deny the existence of students’ everyday mathematical representations and practices,” he stressed.

Staff members of the College of Education Studies-UCC presenting a citation to Prof. Davis

Prof Davis added that the government’s agenda to modernise classrooms at the basic school level should transcend political generations for the classroom environment to be modelled to support modern approaches in teaching.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

School of Business celebrates hardworking students

05 Apr, 2024 By DIS

The School of Business has held its annual Dean’s Award ceremony to celebrate first-class students who obtained a CGPA of 3.6 and above at levels 200 to 400.

A breakdown of the 302 students who were honoured for their hard work includes 126 level 200 students, 68 level 300 and 108 level 400 students. 

For the first time, since the inception of the Dean's Award, three (3) postgraduate students (level 850) with the highest CGPA were also rewarded for their academic accomplishments.

The Executive Vice President and Head of Goldfields West Africa, Mr. Joshua Mortoti, who was the guest speaker, asked students to be disciplined to enable them to attain great heights in life. He noted that with discipline, they could perform better in their studies to justify the huge investment being made in their education.

Executive Vice President and Head of Goldfields West Africa, Mr. Joshua Mortoti

Mr. Mortoti advised the students to acquire soft skills such as communication and interpersonal skills in addition to their chosen careers. He maintained that it was not enough for the students to have only academic certificates because gaining soft skills provided an added advantage in developing one's career. 

He mentioned that to develop soft skills, students need to also have communication skills and the ability to work in a team.

He underlined the need for the students to embrace success with humility to make a difference. 

Mr. Mortoti, who is also the President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, reminded the students that "success is not linear", calling on them to "read the times" in order not to lag behind in life.

The Dean of the School of Business-UCC, Prof. Gatsi (L) presenting an award to Ms. Frances Eshun, a postgraduate student.

The Dean of the School, Prof. John Gatsi, said the school would continuously hone the skills of students to be employable in society.

He said the school would target qualified high school students in deprived areas to enrol in business programmes next academic year.

Prof Gatsi said plans were afoot to ramp up postgraduate enrolment in the school, describing the current postgraduate figure of 214 as woefully inadequate.

During the event, some professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Chartered Institute of Accountants Ghana (CIAG), and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) showed support for the awards with various sponsorship packages.

The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, chaired the function.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

ACECoR Library

ACECoR Inaugurates Daniel Pauly and Rashid Sumaila Library

03 Apr, 2024 By DIS

The Centre for Coastal Management-ACECoR at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has inaugurated a new Library at its new multi-purpose building complex.

The new Library is named after Prof. Daniel Pauly, Lead Scientist on the Sea Around Us Project at the Institute of Oceans and Fisheries at the British Columbia, and Prof. Rashid Sumaila, a Professor of Ocean and Fisheries Economics at the same university based in Canada.

The facility, located at the second floor of the ACECoR multi-purpose building is capable of seating 50 students in well-demarcated compartments.

Inaugurating the Library, the Director of ACECoR, Prof. Denis Aheto, said the Centre decided to honour Prof. Daniel Pauly and Prof. Rashid Sumaila on grounds of compelling reasons among them, their enormous contributions to the development of blue economy and fisheries in particular among other specific support for ACECoR notable among them are the donation of books, providing project partnership opportunities, and mentorship to the Centre through their role  in the Centre’s International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB).

He said the duo had donated several fisheries and coastal management books to stock the library and had pledged to donate more to enhance teaching and learning within the outfit.

According to him, students required constant exposure to books to develop and maintain an interest in reading as well as knowledge, which played a critical role in shaping their academic performance.

He used the occasion to express his gratitude to Prof. Daniel Pauly and Prof. Rashid Sumaila for the donation and promised that the books would be well utilised for posterity.

For his part, Prof. Daniel Pauly, nicknamed the Ocean Whistleblower, urged researchers and students to link science to activism.

He told the gathering that nothing could take away the existence of books adding that “not even the advent and prevalence of the internet in today’s world can be comparable to reading books”.

Prof. Pauly, therefore, used the opportunity to encourage students to take reading seriously to contribute to the growth of ocean economy in the country.

He revealed during the event that they were planning to donate some more books to the library in the coming months.

He appealed to ACECoR to take good care of the books as they have valuable lessons which could go a long way to impact students.

Prof. Rashid Sumaila, on his part, told the gathering and students that they could achieve whatsoever they put their minds at and encouraged them to aspire to become responsible persons and leaders who would contribute significantly to the development of their respective communities and the country at large.

He thanked ACECoR for the honour done him and vowed to contribute significantly for the forward match of ACECoR.

Prof. Sumaila pleaded with students to take their studies seriously and take advantage of the library to enrich their knowledge.

Present at the event were the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, and the Dean of the School of Biological Sciences, Prof. Aaron Tetteh Asare.

 Prof. Daniel Pauly at a Glance

  •  Known for his work in studying human impacts on global fisheries
  • •          Most cited fisheries scientist in the world - 2020.
  • •          Former Director of UBC Fisheries Centre from October 2003 to October 2008.
  • •          Known for key global research projects on fisheries publications on shifting baseline, fishing down the       foodwebs, Fishbase, Ecopath and Ecosim .
  • •          Donated his personal and acquired books in his professional life to ACECoR-2023.
  • •          First Professor on a Sabbatical at ACECoR -2024

Prof. Rashid Sumaila at a Glance

  •  Former Director of Fisheries Economics Research Unit at the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Canada Research Chair.
  • Volvo Environment Prize Winner in 2017.
  •  Named as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New Africa Magazine for his work as a "Global Champion of the oceans in 2023".
  •  Described by peers as a leading interdisciplinary fisheries economist
  •  Chair, International Scientific Advisory Board of ACECoR

 

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Cadet Officers Course 53

UCC Holds Orientation for Police Cadet Officers

03 Apr, 2024 By DIS

The University of Cape Coast has held an orientation for Cadet Officers Course 53 of the Ghana Police Academy at the Ghana Police Training School in Accra.

The Cadet Officers made up of 431 officers will also pursue Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies from the Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Cape Coast as part of their regular police training.

In her address at the programme, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa, noted that the University of Cape Coast would create a conducive academic environment for them to pursue their studies. She indicated that as postgraduate students they should abreast themselves of the Academic Policies and Regulations for Graduate Studies.

Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa with the Faculty officer of the School,Mr. John Linscell Yen making a presentation at the orientation

Prof. Darkwa noted that the School would provide them with the necessary support to help them complete their programme within the scheduled period of study. She urged them to take their studies seriously by participating in seminar sessions and completing all assignments.

 

The Head, Department of Forensic Sciences, Prof. Christopher Adokoh, indicated that the programme was introduced to provide students with enhanced knowledge in the principles and practice of leadership, management, and administration in the security services.

He noted that the programme would equip them to explore and demonstrate understanding of contemporary security issues and also equip them with professional competencies in security sector management and leadership.

Head, Department of Forensic Sciences, Prof. Christopher Adokoh speaking at the programme

Prof. Adokoh indicated that the Department would soon run Master of Science and Master of Philosophy in forensic and security related programmes to create more opportunities for personnel of security agencies to advance their professional career. 

Prof. Adokoh said the Department would liaise with the Police Administration to provide them with the best of experience in their studies.

 

The cadet officers listening to presentations at the orientation

In his presentation at the function, the Dean of Students, Prof. Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh, advised the students to cultivate a thirst for knowledge and dedicate greater part of their time at the academy to studies.

He further urged the students to prioritise their studies while making time for pursuing their passions and building meaningful relationships.

Dean of Students, Prof. Eugene Kofuor Maafo Darteh

Prof. Darteh entreated the police officers to observe the rules and regulations for students of the University. “Whilst studying at UCC, be mindful of the fact that the University has rules, regulations and policies that govern students’ activities. You’re expected to familiarise yourselves with by these regulations and policies” he implored them.

Taking them through the registration process, the Head of Student Records Section, Mr. Abdulai Mohammed Najimudeen, mentioned that the University would create a portal for students to access all information regarding their programmes of study. He noted that without registration, they could not be considered as students.

Mr. Najimudeen emphasised that the was the medium for students to check their results and also receive notices and other important information from the University.

Head, Students Records Section, Mr. Abdulai Mohammed Najimudeen

The UCC team responded to questions from the cadet officers on the presentations. 

The Director of Academic Affairs of the Ghana Police Academy, ACP Francis Yiribaare, thanked the team from UCC for providing the prospective students with insightful information about the University and the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies.

He said the Academy would continue to collaborate with UCC to build the capacities of Cadet Officers to effectively discharge their professional duties as senior police officers.

ACP Yiribaare noted that for the past four years, the award of the degree from UCC had motivated graduates of the Police Academy to excel at their duty posts and also advance in their career.  

Director of Academic Affairs of the Ghana Police Academy, ACP Francis Yiribaare 

 He encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire knowledge to enhance their work and also progress to the top.

Other members of the UCC team were Dr. Benjamin Aboagye, Dr. Prince Amoah Barnie, Dr. Yusif Abdullah and Mr. Samuel Cudjoe from the Department of Forensic Sciences. Also present were Mr. John Linscell Yen from the School of Graduate Studies and Grace Akosua Akyeabea Sackey from the Directorate of Public Affairs.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

Level 400 BCom Management students donate Educational Materials to Kwaprow JHS

03 Apr, 2024 By DIS

Final-year students reading Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Management have donated some educational materials to Kwaprow Junior High School to enhance the academic performance of learners.

The items, which included five whiteboards, two graph boards, four boxes of markers, and four packs of dusters, were meant to augment the effort of parents in providing the academic needs of their children.

The gesture forms part of the semester course, “Project Management”.

Some of the pupils present at the presentation

Presenting the items on behalf of the students, a lecturer at the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, Dr. Eric Gonu, said the initiative was borne out of the project management course aimed at enhancing the students' understanding of project management concepts while putting into practice the concept learned. This will contribute positively to the growth of the community.

He said though the educational materials were inadequate to cater for the huge number of learners in the school, Dr. Gonu expressed the hope that the gesture would go a long way in enhancing the quality of learning in there.

He encouraged the students to take their studies seriously to climb the academic ladder.

A section of Level 400 BCom Management students at the presentation

Receiving the items on behalf of the pupils, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Victoria Mensah, commended the effort of the final-year students and promised the learners would make good use of the items.

She recounted how donations from students and faculty from the University of Cape Coast had benefited the school and relieved it from a lot of recurring expenditures.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Stay focused on the primary reason for being in school - Students advised

27 Mar, 2024 By DIS

A former Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. George K.T Oduro, has implored students not to be carried away by religious liberty on campus to sway them from their studies.

Rather, he told them to develop good study habits and time-management skills toward achieving their purpose for enrolling in their respective programmes at the university.

Prof. Oduro made the comments when he took his turn to share his life experience with an audience of students at the Human Library of the Sam Jonah Library at the University of Cape Coast .

He was addressing students on overcoming challenges that undermine their efforts while studying.

Using himself as an example, the former Pro Vice-Chancellor said during his days as a student of UCC, he indulged in numerous religious activities but did not allow that to overshadow his academic work.

Prof. Oduro (in UCC@60 fabric) in a group shot with staff of the Sam Jonah Library and guests

"...I asked myself, am I here (UCC) to be trained as an Evangelist or minister of the Gospel? No! I am here to study. So, I should prioritize my studies while I find ways of not neglecting my Christian activities. So, where there are studies, I make sure I fulfill that before attending outreach programmes. But I never compromised my personal prayer life" he recalled.

Prof. Oduro, while urging students to form a network amongst themselves to learn from one another, also advised the students to be guided by their schedules to realise and optimise intended objectives.

The former Pro Vice-Chancellor underlined the need for students to be motivated to have the " I can do spirit" to achieve excellence in life.

He called on them to embrace success with humility and commitment to make a difference in life.

Prof. Oduro encouraged students to know their strengths and weaknesses to overcome difficult situations in their studies.

" Leverage your strengths at every opportunity and find ways of addressing the weaknesses," he continued.

Human Library

The Human Library is a scientific service in libraries across the globe designed to build a positive framework for conversations through dialogue. It is a library where a person, instead of a book, is borrowed to listen to life stories.  The goal is to aid participants in understanding the different journeys taken in life and how to navigate situations encountered.

The initiative took off in May 2023 at the University of Cape Coast.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

UCC Renews Partnership with 16 Affiliate Tertiary Institutions

27 Mar, 2024 By DIS

The University of Cape Coast, UCC, has signed an Affiliation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 16 affiliate institutions.

They are Modal College, Academic City University College, Christian Service University College, Wisconsin International University, St Nicholas Seminary, SALT University College, Organization Development Institute, Heritage Christian College, and Perez University College.

The rest are SIIMT University College, Kings University College, Narh-Bita College, Zenith University College, West End University College, Dominion University College, Nyansapo College, and Nduom School of Business and Technology.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof.  Johnson Nyarko Boampong indicated that UCC was committed to its obligation of mentoring affiliate institutions with distinction within the framework of cooperation. 

He noted that the University would continue to support its affiliates to become autonomous degree-awarding institutions. 

"We do not intend to keep you under mentorship forever. Like we did for Ashesi University, Central University and others, we have begun processes to work towards receiving Presidential Charter after meeting all the regulatory requirements," he gave the assurance.

Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof.  Johnson Nyarko Boampong presenting the signed MoU to the Chairman of the Council of Independent Universities (CIU) of Ghana, Prof Albert Addo-Quaye

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated UCC's exceptional services to affiliate institutions stressing that "UCC will guide you to become leading academic centres of excellence in Ghana and beyond".

He attributed the successes made by UCC in recent years to the unflinching support from affiliate institutions.

"Our ranking as the number one University in Ghana and West Africa as well as the 7th in Africa gives credence to the quality academic standards, we have set for ourselves including institutions we are mentoring" he intimated.

On behalf of the 16 affiliate institutions, the Chairman of the Council of Independent Universities (CIU) of Ghana, Prof Albert Addo-Quaye expressed appreciation to management of UCC for providing its affiliate institutions with quality mentorship.

Prof. Addo-Quaye indicated that it was gratifying for the affiliate institutions to be offered another opportunity to enjoy quality mentorship from the University of Competitive Choice. 

The Chairman of CIU said some of the mentor universities hardly visit their affiliate institutions to assist them improve academic standards.

He added that "UCC is always involved in all our activities and providing the necessary support for us to strengthen our systems to promote quality academic standards."

Whilst commending UCC for its quality mentorship, Prof. Addo-Quaye called on the University to provide all the needed assistance to affiliate institutions to be granted Presidential Charter to gain autonomy.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Experts call for collective action to address climate change

27 Mar, 2024 By DIS

Panelists at a roundtable on climate change, culture and security have called for immediate, collective action to address the pressing issue of climate change in communities.

According to them, it was imperative to build up the local people to cope with the devastating impact of climate change on lives and property and also tackle the menace of climate head-on.

 The panelists were Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Climtecpreneur with the University of Ghana, and Prof. Ken Ahorsu, of the Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, University of Ghana.

The rest were Aliyu Shuguba, the Director of Sustainable Development Goal – Graduate School, Maiduguri and Dr. Samuel Dotse, Africa Special Envoy on Climate Change.

The experts were speaking at the annual SDG-Graduate School held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The event, which focuses on cultures and development in West Africa, is a collaborative training network for graduate students run by UCC, University of Hildesheim in Germany, and the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria.

Prof Klutse pointed out the need to adopt practices that protect the environment including forest conservation, sustainable agricultural practices, and water resource management.

That, according to her, would enhance the ability of community members to deal with the impact of climate change and their livelihood and food security.

For his part, Prof Ahorsu said scientists had linked heat and drought that fuel wildlife to climate change and human activities.

According to him, humans should expect more wildfires in years ahead, especially with dry seasons getting longer.

Prof. Ahorsu said the impact of climate change on agriculture remained a major concern, as farmers struggle to keep up with shifting weather patterns and increasingly unpredictable water supplies.

He added that extreme events such as flooding or reduced water supply also threatened crop yields.

 Prof. Saliba said cultural practices and agricultural activities were key drivers of deforestation. To him, if drastic measures were not taken to stem the warming cycle, more wildfires and coastal devastation would happen.

He was of the firm conviction that policymakers would help protect the forests and trees to counterbalance and offset continued fossil fuel use.

Dr. Dotse, on his part, called on chiefs and opinion leaders to inform members of their communities to desist from bush burning, especially during the dry season, or face punishment per the law.

He called for collective efforts to address the triggers of wildfire.

The Coordinator of SDG-Graduate School, UCC, Sabina Appiah-Boateng, said the platform offered scholarship research on topics of cultural performances, eco-arts, peacebuilding, music, and climate change among others.

She said the intersection of culture, climate change, and security represented a critical and complex study area.

According to her, the interplay between culture, climate change and security, was a critical area that required innovative approaches to address the complex challenges it presented.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

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