GRASAG-UCC Climaxes 25th Anniversary with A Grand Durbar

28 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

The Graduate Students Association (GRASAG-UCC) has climaxed its 25th anniversary celebrations with a call on postgraduate students to acquire transferrable skills to enable them to get immediate employment after school.

“Every postgraduate student acquires global skills( transferrable skills). These skills of creativity, communication, innovation, risk taking, etc. are critical. They cross boundaries. They are not restricted to a particular subject area. It cuts across. You can use them in other areas. That is what employers are looking for”, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Josphus Anamuah-Mensah, has stated.

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah was speaking at a durbar to climax the 25th anniversary celebration of GRASAG on the theme: “ Curbing the menace of Graduate Unemployment: The Role of Stakeholders”. He said postgraduate students should not be only allowed to collect data from industries, but they should also engage with industry players on the ground to acquire practical skills.That, according to him, would enable them to secure jobs easily. “ …You don’t engage with industry. How can industry support you? To engage with them and then to solve their problems. They may even employ you after school”.

Furthermore, he called on universities in the country to collaborate to undertake joint researches in the country. “It is interesting that there is no collaborative research among tertiary institutions in the country. Everybody is doing his own thing. But this is a country for us and we should all make sure the country progresses. There should be collaborative research among the universities because we are all paid by the government.” he stressed.

Prof. Anamuah-Mensah appealed to government to set up of a national research foundation for post graduate students to apply for funds to carry out their research work. He bemoaned the rising reduction in the enrolment number of post graduate students in the country. “At the moment, if you take all the universities in the country. We have less than 10 % of the total number of students in universities engage in post graduate studies.” he said. “Any viable institution that runs postgraduate studies and research should at least have 25% of enrolment.”

For his part, an official from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Paapa Bartels, who represented the sector Minister, asked Post Graduate students to develop entrepreneurial mindset after school. He entreated the postgraduate students to discover ways of making themselves employable rather than depending on government for employment after school.

Mr. Bartels, who is the Team Leader Subcontracting and Partnership Exchange at the Ministry, expressed surprise at the alarming rate at which postgraduate students present their curriculum vitae to industries immediately after completion of school and rather advised them to market themselves. “Currently, when we complete school the first thing we do is to put together our CV. But I am challenging you. The first thing you should put together is your marketing. And your marketing is putting together your programmes and projects that you can sell,” he added.

He called on Schools of Graduate Studies in tertiary institutions to revise their curriculum to include the introduction of entrepreneurship course to enable students to come out from school with entrepreneurial mindset. He used the occasion to outline initiatives of the Ministry dubbed “ten points industrial transformation”, which includes the one district one factory initiative. He, therefore, called on post graduate students to form groups to create their own businesses after school. “What about five or ten people putting their heads together and setting up a factory that will produce something within the region. What about five or ten people going to Nana and say Nana we want do something in the fishing industry,” he said.

In a remark, the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Council, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, noted that the high interest rates charged by commercial banks were some of the challenges facing the youth to venture into entrepreneurship. “After forming companies, how are they going to start doing their own business now the banks are charging 35% of interest rate. Who can work with 35% and make profit,” he said. He appealed to the government to set up a fund, which will attract zero percent interest rate, to encourage students to venture into entrepreneurship.

The President of GRASAG-UCC, Mr. Benjamin Sundame, on his part, paid glowing tribute to past executives of the Association for their performance. He said the School of Graduate Studies had collaborated with the Association to introduce many initiatives such as the introduction of the graduate assistants and demonstrators’ policy to assist students acquire skills and financial support and the introduction of two graduation sessions, among others.

Osabarima Kwesi Atta II mentioned the need for mentors and academic advisors, late proposal defence in some departments, delay of final work and the difficulty in getting assessors, and poor lecture rooms and laboratories as some of the challenges facing post graduate students.

As part of the event, GRASAG-UCC honoured the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, and Prof Anamuah-Mensah, who are past members of the association, with shields for their relentless contributions to the association.

The programme was chaired by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Ernest Okorley.

News

Auditor-General Calls for Collective Efforts Against Corruption

28 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

The Auditor-General of Ghana, Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has called for a concerted effort involving all Ghanaians to win the fight against corruption in the country.

In line with this, Mr. Domelevo charged ordinary Ghanaians to collaborate with those in responsible positions to use their good offices to fight the menace of corruption, which cut across all facets of national life.

“In fact, some of us (Public Officers) have the mandate to fight corruption, but we may not be capable. You (ordinary Ghanaians) may be capable but you have no mandate. Therefore, we must come together so that I can use your capacity to fight this cancer(corruption),” he said.

Mr. Domelevo was speaking at the 5th Jurists’ Confab organised by the Faculty of Law on the theme “The Urgent Need to Win the Fight against Corruption to Ensure Ghana’s Sustainable Development – the Role of the Law”.

The well-attended event was aimed at creating a platform for members of the bench, the bar and other distinguished scholars to interact with one another and to confer recent development in the law with the view to building the capacity of the key operations in the legal sectors. To win the war against corruption, he called for right leadership to be at the helm of affairs at every sector of the society and not to limit leadership to the presidency.

“If you have the right leadership, you will get the right results. Leadership as not in His Excellency the President only…”, he added.

The Auditor- General who spoke on “Urgent need to Win the Fight Against Corruption to Ensure Sustainable Development”, suggested effective and strong legislation to win the fight against the menace, pointing out that the Financial Administration Act 2003 was a better legislation as compared to the current Public Financial Management ACT 2016.

Mr. Domelevo recommended that citizens should be educated from crèche to the tertiary level on the dangers of corruption and the need for them not to indulge in the canker to deprive the country of massive development. He called for the cancellation of post retirement contracts awarded to senior citizens who were on compulsory retirement to enable the youth to get employment in the country.

That, he noted, would reduce the rising incidence of corrupt practices which had bedeviled the country. He said asset disclosure and decentralization of public service were the way to go if the war against corruption could be won.

For his part, the Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD- Ghana), Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, who spoke on “Harnessing the full Potential of the Law in the Fight Against Corruption: Looking beyond the Criminal Act”, said the Criminal Law made provision for the country to rely solely on centralised authority to initiate prosecutorial powers to fight corruption. He noted that public offices such as the Economic and organised Crime Office were understaffed with limited resources to fight corrupt practices at all levels of the society.

Prof. Prempeh advocated a decentralisation system where every citizen could become a privateadministrative laws, among others, as complementary legal tools to win the fight against graft.

Speaking on “Fighting Corruption Why the Law is Crucial but it is not Enough”, the Vice-President of IMANI Ghana, Mr. Kofi Bentil, stressed that written law was important but not enough as compared to living laws of citizens in a group. He said the “Living Law is built within circles where people in an association respect their rules which bind them, but do not respect the country’s laws”. He mentioned that Living Law could be virtuous in several instances, citing an example where some Canadian doctors protested against their pay raises because they already make too much money.

Mr. Bentil, therefore, called for the closure of the gap between Living law and Written law in the society. “… What you have to do is to build a society where the gap is narrow as such as possible between living law and written law,” he said. He decried the practice where traditional authorities and high level officials in the society intervene for accused corrupt officials who were in the grips of the law to be freed.

The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, Prof. Letlhokwa George Mpedi, who delivered an address on the theme “The Role of the Law in the Fight Against Corruption in the Republic of South Africa: Are there any Lessons for the Republic of Ghana?”, enumerated many legislations aimed at fighting corruption in South Africa.

Among others, he mentioned the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Public Financial Management Act, Public Administrative Act, Financial Intelligent Center Act and Prevention and Combating Corruption Act. He said some of the agencies charged with the responsibility to fight corruption include Police, Special Unit, Office of the Public Protector, among several others.

Prof. Mpedi touched on the Public Financial Management, Naming and Shaming and Hot lines as some of the preventive measures in the war against graft in South Africa. He noted that inability of companies to report corrupt officials, lack of resources of state institutions and the lack of effective cooperation between South Africa and other countries as some of the obstacles facing his country to battle corruption. He pointed out that independent media, leadership, civil society organisations and institutions of higher learning as key players in the war against graft in South Africa.

The confab, which was interspersed with musical interlude from the Euphonics, was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Mr. Kujo McDave, Judges, Provosts, Law students and members of the public.

News

UCC, Johannesburg University Sign MoU

27 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Johannesburg University, South Africa, to deepen the collaboration between the two institutions.

The purpose of the MoU is to establish joint research programme, exchange of post graduate students, as well as student exchange and study abroad programmes.

Other areas of the collaboration include exchange of academic employees for the purpose of research, teaching and the presentation of special courses in the fields of their specialisation, jointly funded or third-party funded educational or economic assistance activities. The rest are joint conferences, seminars and symposia, exchange of scientific and educational literature produced by either or both of the parties, as well as exchange of materials on the most relevant and topical research by researchers of both parties.

The Pro-Vice- Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro , signed on behalf of UCC, whilst the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Johannesburg University , Prof. Letlhokwa George Mpeisy, signed on behalf of his University.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Oduro, said: " For us,UCC, we want our Faculty of Law to be a model which the nation will emulate in terms of our delivery and practice ". He said UCC was committed to activities that would build the capacities of its staff and students. He used the occasion to commend the Founding Dean Of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Bondzi Simpson, for laying a solid foundation for the Faculty which was being built upon by the current Dean of the Faculty, Mr. Kujo McDave.

For his part, Prof.Letlhokwa George Mpeisy, expressed appreciation to the University management for the opportunity to partner the Faculty of Law of UCC . He assured the Pro -Vice-Chancellor that his University would abide by the provisions in the MoU.

Prof. Letlhokwa George Mpeisy was accompanied on the visit by Prof. Sarel Du Toit, Prof. Charl Hugo and Mr. Theophilus E. Coleman, a LLD candidate, from the Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg.

Present at the brief ceremony were the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan; the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Mr. Kujo McDave, and some officials of the Faculty.

Administration

US Ambassador Delivers Lecture at UCC

26 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

The out-going United States of America Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Robert Jackson, has said the United States supports the presidents vision of Ghana Beyond Aid.

The US Ambassador said, the US would take concrete steps to help achieve the vision of Ghana Beyond Aid specifically in the four areas of mutual concern; economic growth, health and education; peace and security; and good governance.

It is for this reason that we want to create an economy that will thrive so that we can create jobs.

Mr. Jackson said economic research has shown that Ghana’s economy lost millions of dollars due to ‘Dumsor’. He indicated that, inadequate and unreliable power stifles growth and for that matter the US government through the Compact agreement was contributing substantially to the power sector to ensure that the country had reliable power and also turn the Electricity Company of Ghana into a reliable and affordable power company.

He said with proper management, ECG could become a profitable company saying “The compact is a good deal for Ghana”.

Mr. Jackson said what the US was proposing in the Defense Cooperation Agreement was meant to be beneficial to both countries explaining that, this partnership has existed for over 20 years covering the periods of the two big parties NDC and NPP.

The Ambassador added that: “The Ghanaian forces will be training with the US forces, the US forces come here temporary and will not establish a base”.

“The handful of soldiers already here have shown capability for stability in the sub-region. What we are asking for is to partner with the country to promote an orderly world”, he said.

Continuing, Mr. Jackson indicated that the president’s vision of Ghana Beyond Aid could not be realized without Good Governance. He said pervasive corruption steals from the people since according to him “It inhibits free enterprise, compromises the availability of good health care, eats away livelihood and opportunities to the citizenry”.

Mr. Jackson called for a relentless fight in the promotion of human rights adding “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere”. He said, the friendship between Ghana and the US was well established already, since American staff were posted here prior to independence and currently lots of Ghanaians and Americans work in that embassy. The US Ambassador noted that, the US was not just looking at building relationship but wanted to create an environment within which Ghanaian businesses will grow.

The Chairman of the University Governing Council, Mrs. Nancy O. C. Thompson, chaired the function. Present were the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan! some Provosts, Deans, Directors and Heads of Department.

Counselling Centre to Introduce Online Counselling

24 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

The Counselling Centre will be introducing an online counselling platform for members of the University community to interact and share their concerns with professional counsellors.

The online counselling, scheduled to start on Monday, April 2, 2018, will enable students and staff to select and communicate with a counsellor on one-to- one basis through the usage of instant messaging App, WhatsApp.

The Director of the Centre, Prof. Godwin Awabil, who made the announcement said the initiative was to complement the traditional face-to-face approach to counselling.

Prof. Godwin Awabil announced this at the opening of a three-day Suicide Awareness and Prevention Crusade on the theme:” Reaching Out: Preventing Suicide, Saving Lives”. It was aimed at creating awareness about suicide and also view to prevent its occurrence within the University community and its environs.

Dr. Awabil described suicide as a serious public health problem worldwide and added that media reports indicated that suicide in Ghana was on the ascendency. “Between February and March 2017, seven people had committed suicide in less than two weeks in different parts of the country. Recently, both attempted and completed suicide cases have been reported by the media”, he said, citing examples. He disclosed that as part of the programme, the mental health of students and staff would be assessed using depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem and forgiveness questionnaires.

He said those who would require psychological support would be assisted with the view to improving their mental health.

Present at the seminar were the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. L.K Sam-Amoah, the Dean of Educational Foundations, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson and the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Koawo Edjah.

News

Counselling Centre to Introduce Online Counselling

24 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

The Counselling Centre will be introducing an online counselling platform for members of the University community to interact and share their concerns with professional counsellors.

The Director of the Centre, Prof. Godwin Awabil, who made the announcement said the initiative was to complement the traditional face-to-face approach to counselling.

He said those who would require psychological support would be assisted with the view to improving their mental health.

News

Faculty, Students Urged to Research into Suicide

24 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

A Clinical Psychologist and Suicidologist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Joseph Osafo, has asked faculty and students to venture into suicide research in order to curb the rising spate of suicide in the country.

“You can only intervene in suicide prevention when you have your own country specific data”, he said.

Dr. Osafo was addressing a three-day suicide awareness and prevention crusade organised by the Counselling Centre on the theme “Reaching out: Preventing Suicide, Saving Lives.” The programme was aimed at creating awareness about suicide with the view to preventing its occurrence in the University community and its environs.

According to him, the lack of research in suicide, mainly in low and middle income countries which usually record high cases of the menace, was undermining the efforts at preventing suicide in the country. He disclosed that the estimated rate of suicide in Ghana was 3.1 % and charged everybody, especially the non-professionals in Couselling, to strive hard to get a little knowledge in suicide prevention. “For suicide prevention: You don’t necessarily need to be a professional to begin. You simply get the knowledge”, Dr. Joseph reiterated.

Furthermore, he said people usually resort to suicide as the last straw largely to seek solution to their unanswered problems. The Clinical Psychologist and Suicidologist identified three levels of suicide repulsion within the society as family/ community, religious groups and the law. He stated, “The family accuses members of tarnishing its image, whilst the church creates impression of members transgressing against God and the law also prosecute citizens for attempting to commit suicide.”

Since 2012, according to him, he had made significant efforts to persuade some judges on the need not to pass judgement on accused persons brought before them for attempted suicide. “ I don’t see the sense in punishing someone who is in distress. They need support; they don’t need judgement”, he pointed out. He mentioned academic problems, impulsiveness, hopelessness, depression and poverty as psychological factors that make people sometimes commit suicide.

Dr. Osafo advised the audience to support suspected suicidal persons to see professional counsellors for help. He advised the students to stay away from dangerous weapons when thoughts of committing suicide beckoned on them. He added that “You don’t need any sophistication to intervene in human crisis. All you need is a good heart, the readiness and the willingness”.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, in a speech read on his behalf, said that suicide prevention and suicidal behaviour was a key priority for the University. In line with this, he tasked the Counselling Center to deliver initiatives that would foster resilience and strengthen student relationships through Couselling and other strategies to improve mental health.

Prof. Ampiah commended the Centre for its decision to adopt the evidence-based approach recommended by the World Health Organisation to reduce suicide risk within the society. He hoped that the Centre would provide effective mental health and suicide prevention training, as well as the creation of a supportive environment, which would enable both staff and students to fulfil their potential and cope with life’s challenges. The Vice-Chancellor challenged the University community, staff of the Couselling Centre and all the psychologists in the University to research into depression and suicide.

The Dean of Educational Foundations, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, who chaired the seminar, encouraged the public to propagate the suicide prevention crusade across the country.

News

UNIBANK Donates to CHLS First College – Industry Week Activities

22 Mar, 2018 By louis Mensah

Unibank has donated an amount of GH¢20,000 to support the College of Humanities and Legal Studies First College–Industry week activities.

The week activities which were held from 3^rd– 9^th March, 2018 on the theme “Linking Academia to Industry.”

The cheque was presented by Mr. Eugene Amoa, Cape Coast Branch Manager of Unibank, and Mr. David Boakye, the Relationship Manager. The Branch Manager congratulated the provost for her initiative. He was of the opinion that the theme for the week celebration was appropriate and timely.

Receiving the cheque, the Provost of the College of Humanities and legal studies, Prof, Dora F. Edu-Buandoh, expressed gratitude to Unibank for its generosity to the College. She explained that the College week was the first of its kind in the University.

Dr. Abigail Opoku-Mensah, Head of the Department of Management, informed the sponsors that the activities for the next college week would be much bigger. She was hopeful that other sponsors will come on board to support this laudable initiative of the provost.

Credit:CHLS