The Office of the Registrar’s Welfare Association has organised a send-off party for seven (7) members who have retired from the University in 2019. 

Welcoming members to the occasion, the Director, Directorate of Human Resource, Rev. Isaac Baafi Sarbeng, stated that the association came into being last year and has so far served a good purpose and hoped that the programme would create the opportunity for the members to honour the Senior Colleagues. 

Appreciation

    
In a remark, the College Registrar, College of Humanities and Legal Studies (CHLS), Dr. Alexis V. Akanson, noted that the occasion was organised “to say thank you; show appreciation and bid farewell” to their Senior Colleagues. “Indeed, you need to be acknowledged and commended because you have contributed immensely to the development and achievements of UCC through your hard work, toil, dedication and commitment,” he added.

Urging the retirees to stay in harmony with everyone, the President, Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), UCC Branch, Mr. Kwabena Antwi Konadu, said, “Do not harbour any bitterness in you but try and find out the best ways to relate with others. Let us be at peace with one another because we will also retire one day.” He promised the retirees that GAUA would forever accept them to be their own and that they should not hesitate to call on them for any assistance. 

Retirement is Part of Life

Speaking on the need to stay active, the Deputy Director of Finance, Mr. Francis Obeng, noted that retirement was part of life, however, they should t in order to keep them active and also spend quality time with their families. He appealed to the retirees to avoid unnecessary businesses; rather, they should put their money into the proper investment to realise good dividends. 
Each of the seven retirees was presented with a parcel from the association.

Retired Senior Administrators 

The seven retired members are the former Head, KG, Madam Adwoa Ewur, former Head of Security, ACP Mr. Johnson Owusu-Agyemang (Rtd), former College Registrar, CoDE, Mr. Opoku Oku-Afari, former Faculty Officer, Science and Technology Education, Mr. Prosper K. Nyatuame, former Assistant Registrar, School of Graduate Studies, Mr. Joseph C. Sefenu, former Transport Officer, Mr. James Paa Ghartey, and the former Head, Research Farm, Mr. Theodilus Yangtul.         
 

The University Basic School-North Campus has marked its third Anniversary & Speech and Prize Giving Day under the theme, “Achieving Quality Education: The Role of Parents.”

Welcome Address    

Welcoming the parents and students to the ceremony, the Headteacher, University Junior High School, Mrs. Kate Frimpong, explained that the occasion to honour deserving hard-working staff and pupils. “As we give motivational packages to awardees as their recognition today, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Laboratory would also be commissioned,” Mrs. Frimpong assured. 

Headteacher’s Report

In his report, the Headteacher, University Basic School, North Campus, Mr. Victor Fiifi Addison, stated that the school currently has a total enrolment of five hundred and fifteen (515) pupils, which comprised two hundred sixty-three (263) boys and two hundred fifty-two (252) girls, from the initial number of two hundred and sixty-seven (267). On staffing, he indicated, the total staff strength is forty-three (43) – 23 teaching staff, 7 non-teaching staff and 13 National Service Personnel. Mr. Addison mentioned that the school needed additional staff, however, it was not able to recruit them because salaries of teachers were paid from the school fees. He said the teachers do not enjoy any allowances, professional progression and benefits, he, therefore, appealed to the Management to put them on to the University payroll. Mr. Fiifi Addison, noted that the school presented its first batch of 27 students for the 2019 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and was optimistic that they would come out with flying colours. He added that a student from the school was in the University Basic School (UJHS) team that won the just ended National Core Subjects Quiz (NCSQ) competition. In sports, the Headteacher said that some students from North Campus won laurels at the just ended 6th UBaSSA games. He also announced that UCC, Cours Lamiére (CL) and Canadian International of Lomé (CISL) French Exchange Programme for the pupils was also a great success. He urged both parents and stakeholders to support the programme since it has the potential to help the students to become global citizens. 
Speaking on challenges, Mr. Fiifi Addison said the school still struggled with inadequate infrastructure, especially in the areas of Science Laboratory and equipment, BDT Centres, Field for physical education, and a School Library. 

He appealed to Management to give approval for work to commence on the proposed second and third phases as quickly as possible to help address the existing infrastructural deficit and enrolment challenges.
“It is highly anticipated that these needs would be given the deserving attention to enable the school achieve significant improvements in the subsequent academic years to accomplish its’ vision and mission,” he remarked.

Guest Speaker’s Address

Stressing on the role of parents in achieving quality basic education, the Guest Speaker, Mr. Francis Obeng, charged parents to stay committed to PTA activities by attending meetings, making contributions and honouring their payment obligations. Entreating parents to be role models to their children, Mr. Obeng noted, “Children are easily inspired by what their parents do. So it is good to be a role model in their learning phase. Show them how exciting and meaningful school life can be if they give out their best.” Mr. Obeng also entreated parents to provide the basic needs and have regular contact with their teachers. Mr. Obeng advised parents to discuss their children’s school report; build their confidence and let them appreciate themselves. As a way of encouragement, he noted that parents should try to read with their children and assist their children in learning so as to invoke their learning abilities. 
The Guest Speaker stated, that it was good that parents go for educational trips with their children; be good friends and give constructive criticisms; share their personal experience; create a pleasant atmosphere for the children at home and do not discuss unnecessary issues in presence of the children. 

Head Prefect’s Report

In a report, the Head Prefect, Emmanuel Bodza Ahianyo, thanked the headteacher, teaching and non-staff; and parents for their love, support, care, cooperation, guidance, dedication and commitment towards their education. Commending the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), he said, “We thank the PTA executives for their support by working hand-in-hand to provide the school with an ICT Laboratory.” Stressing on the theme for the occasion, he appealed to parents to ensure that their children’s educational needs were taken care of. Master Ahianyo noted that to achieving quality education, parents ought to assist and monitor the educational progress of their children by spending time with them to study for class tests; do assignments and research works so as to pass their examinations. He explained that this would help ease the work of teachers in the school. Master Bodza Ahianyo charged parents and guardians to set limits on the use of electronic gadgets at home since they tend to distract pupils from their studies and thereby affect their performances negatively. He mentioned that clubs such as Good News, the Red Cross, the Spelling Bee/Read Wide, the Choreography, Choir, Maths and Science, have been established to provide the pupils with the opportunity to engage in various co-curricular activities in school. “These activities contributed in bringing fun in the school as pupils were given the opportunity to explore their talents and learn new ideas to broaden their scope rather than just being in the classrooms for teaching and learning” he indicated. 

Congratulations to Awardees

In a remark, the Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs.) Abigail Opoku-Mensah, congratulated the awardees for their hard work which merited their prizes and encouraged others to put up their maximum best to win awards in future. She urged parents to continue to support the school in order to progress to an appreciable height. She also appealed to parents to take keen interest in supporting the school in its’ programmes and activities.
Present at the ceremony were Head, University Primary, Mrs. Georgina Aglobetse, the Acting Head of Security, UCC, Mr. Gershon K. A Sewornu, the PTA Chairperson, Madam Mary Enos, Ms. Gina Aidoo, and the PTA Treasurer, Mr. Emmanuel Boham.