The University of Cape Coast has held a thanksgiving service as part of the 49th Congregation, which saw four thousand nine hundred and ninety-one (4,991) students graduate from the University.
These are students from the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences and the College of Education.
The thanksgiving service, held under the auspices of the Chaplaincy Board of the University, was on the theme:"It is the Lord's Doing".
In his homily, the Parish Priest of the Sunyani Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Mathew Gyamfi, called on the graduates to always be hopeful in all their endeavours, stressing that “Hope is a Christian hallmark". He underscored the need to maintain peace and harmony amongst Ghanaians, especially in the wake of campaigning towards the general election in December this year. He advised the graduates not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to disturb the peace the nation was enjoying.
Most Rev Gyamfi used the occassion to advice students who were still studying in the University to take their studies seriously in order to climb the academic ladder. The Parish Priest urged the graduates to always thank the Lord for the unique talents the Lord had bestowed on them.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof D. D. Kuupole, who spoke at the service told the graduates to remain focused in life and should not allow anybody to derail them. "If you have a focus; remain focused; don’t let anybody derail you," he said. “Tell yourself you have an ambition; and tell yourself that somebody is guiding you and not a human being, but a divine spirit is guiding you." He challenged them to always be guarded by the core values of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor underlined the need for the graduates to embrace the principles of honesty, humility, trust, courage, commitment and compassion as they venture into the job market. He commended staff, students and members of the surrounding communities of the University for their unalloyed support for him during his term as vice-chancellor. he announced that the University Council had granted him a one-year post service leave and after the completion of his leave, he would be back to the University to "assist in post graduate training, mentorship of young faculties, some editorial works, leading a team to negotiate for something for the University or any other work Council may decide to give me or any assignment my Vice-Chancellor will assign me".
The Vice-Chancellor stressed the need for the graduates to use "thank you and sorry" words as their guiding principles.
Intercessory prayers, led by Mr. David Cudjoe Adukpo, the Hall Master of the Kwame Nkrumah Hall, were said for the graduates, the University Community and Ghana. Present at the event, held at the Congregational grounds, were Mr. John Kofi Nyan; the Registrar, Prof John Nelson Buah; a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Major Kofi Baah-Bentum; Director of Public Affairs and other top University officials.