The University of Cape Coast has held a Send-off and Long Service Awards Ceremony for ninety-three (93) retirees of the University for their meritorious service.

A breakdown of the number of retirees (teaching and non-teaching Staff) honoured includes twenty-three (23) Senior Members, thirty-five (35) Senior Staff and thirty-five (35) Junior Staff.

Of the total number, Doris Wilson of the Directorate of University Health Services; Samuel Wilberforce Graham of College of Distance Education (CoDE) and Mr. Joseph Afful of the Directorate of Physical Development and Estate Management (DPDEM) served forty-two (42) years each.

The awards, received by the retirees which included refrigerators, deep freezers, sets of living room furniture, were determined by the length of service to the University. Each awardee also received a citation.

Samuel Wilberforce Graham (right) who served 42 years receiving a citation from President of UTAG-UCC, Dr. Bert Boadi Kusi

Samuel Wilberforce Graham (right) who served 42 years receiving a citation from President of UTAG-UCC, Dr. Bert Boadi Kusi

Notable among the retirees were Prof. Dora Edu Buadoh, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, and Prof Nelson Buah, all former Pro Vice-Chancellors as well as the Founding Dean of the Faculty of Law-UCC and past Rector of GIMPA, Prof. Philip Ebow Bondzie-Simpson.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, speaking at the ceremony, lavished the retirees with praise and commendation after attaining the sixty (60) year statutory age of retirement from the UCC.

Prof. Boohene, who offered some useful advice to the retirees on navigating life after retirement, asked them to engage in productive ventures that would keep them busy.

"60 years is just a number. You can start a Crèche or any entrepreneurial venture" she said.

Pro VC-UCC, Prof Mrs. Rosemond Boohene speaking at the Long Service and Awards Ceremony

Pro VC-UCC, Prof Mrs. Rosemond Boohene speaking at the Long Service and Awards Ceremony

The Pro Vice Chancellor acknowledged the fact that though they had retired officially, they should not see themselves tired and called on them to bring to bear their rich experiences garnered over the years to the advantage of the University. She stressed that UCC would not had achieved its current gains today had it not been the remarkable role of the retirees who devoted their service to the staying power of the University.

On behalf of the retirees, the Deputy University Librarian, Mrs. Paulina Afful-Arthur, who is exiting the UCC after 32 years, thanked God for His mercies upon them and commended the University for the Ceremony.

She described her colleagues as "heroes and heroines" and encouraged them to always be active after retirement.

Mrs. Paulina Afful-Arthur speaking on behalf of retirees

Mrs. Paulina Afful-Arthur speaking on behalf of retirees

The Deputy Librarian told staff in active service that retirees might had  stepped on the foot of their subordinates and vice versa and asked for forgiveness, saying, “It was all in the interest of UCC”.

Turning to the family of retirees, Mrs Afful-Arthur thanked the immediate families of the retirees for giving them peace and support at home to be efficient at work.

As part of the event, union leaders on campus took turns to deliver their fraternal messages to the retirees.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC