The Distance Education Students' Association of Ghana (DESAG) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has launched its 10th anniversary celebrations under the theme “10 years of Distance Education and its Impact on Socio- Economic Growth and Development of the country: A Transformational Force.”

Speaking at the Launch, the Head of Academics at the College of Distance Education (CODE), Prof. Paul Ahiatrogah, commended the leadership of DESAG for the initiative.

He said over the years, the authorities of CODE had had fruitful and cordial relationship with the leadership of DESAG due to the fact that DESAG leadership had always displayed a lot of maturity in their dealings with management of the College.

Prof. Ahiatrogah said the attrition rate amongst teachers had reduced considerably in the country as a result of  the introduction of distance education.

He said a lot of headmasters, circuit supervisors and district directors were products of the College.

Since 2003/4, according to Prof. Ahiatrogah,the College had produced more than 40,000 teachers who were currently discharging their professional duties in the various sectors at the Ghana Education Service.

“Distance Education has transformed the lives of people to channel their energies into productive ventures...,” said Prof. Ahiatrogah, who represented the Provost of CODE, Prof. Isaac Galyoun.

He said the leadership of DESAG called on authorities to open more study centers to enroll more students, adding that “That is why we have more than 60 Study Centers countrywide.”

Prof. Ahiatrogah disclosed that CODE had recruited and given refresher courses  to more than 2000 course tutors who were facilitating Distance Education throughout the country.

He said the introduction of  distance education had reduced the burden on traditional universities as regards the limited space for enrollment.

In his remarks, Dr. Felix Kumadzro, the Co-ordinator of the Students’ Support Services Center, who chaired the function, said authorities of CODE were working tirelessly to make sure that Distance Students enjoy  the same benefits like the regular students.

To this end, he announced that authorities of CODE were in talks with management of the University to affiliate all Distance Students to the halls of residence.

“We are thinking of affiliating all Distance Students to the halls of residence so that you have that identity as a University student,” he said, to cheers from the students.

Some of the activities lined for the anniversary include annual zonal sports games, capacity building seminars, corporate social responsibility, inauguration of scholarship fund, visitation to less privileged individuals, annual congress, among others.

The Agenda 2030 Committee has called on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, at the Council Chamber.

The Committee, constituted in 2015, is co-chaired by the Director of the Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Prof. Kofi Awusabo-Asare and Mr. Clement Entsua-Mensah, the University Librarian.

Mr. Clement Entsua-Mensah, who spoke on behalf of the committee, said the purpose of the visit was to introduce themselves to the new Vice-Chancellor and inform him of the progress of work of the committee.

Giving the background of the committee, Mr. Entsua-Mensah said the University, after operating two five-year strategic plans, sought to develop a long term plan to guide the development of the institution.

He said, as a result, an alumnus based in South Africa, Dr. Kwame Amoah, facilitated a management retreat to devise a strategy to reposition the University as a center of excellence.

Consequently, Mr. Entsua-Mensah said a committee was set-up to develop and discuss a concept paper at a retreat from 12th-14th June, 2015 at Busua Beach.

He said the outcome of the retreat was the development of a plan named Agenda 2030, which is aimed at pursuing a transformational agenda which will create an institution with visionary and exemplary leadership. 

The University Librarian noted that it was envisaged that the system created would foster critical thinking and an institution in which members would re-affirm their commitment to excellence in academic, administrative and service domains.

Welcoming them, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work of the committee so far and urged them to expedite action to complete their work.

He said that management would study and adopt the document.

“I will say that Management will adopt this document and we will study it and we will implement the strategic plan…”, he stressed.

Prof. Ampiah said it required frantic efforts and political will to implement such documents to ensure the forward-march of the University.

The Vice-Chancellor said a committee would be formed to remind stakeholders every year to discharge their duties in line with the issues contained in the document.

Some of the targets to be pursued by the Agenda 2030 are: Promoting transformational governance; Strengthening the human capacity base of the institution; Promoting visibility through academic excellence; Internationalization; Creating platform for Partnerships and Engagement; Infrastructural Development and Finance.  

Happy New Year to you all! I hope you celebrated the start of 2017 in good spirits with your family and friends. Now that we’re a few days into the new year, it’s good to look ahead and think about what this year may bring us. But, first, let us take a look back. Last year was full of activities. Our good Lord save us through all the challenges of the year. But we also achieved a huge lot of success. Concerning the academic aspect, we made significant progress in teaching, learning and research. In terms of the administrative aspect, much was achieved. It was by the selfless dedication and hard work that the Faculty chalked this huge success. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done. This year marks the beginning of change in our political life as a nation, so must this change be reflected in our life as a Faculty. It is important that we use our time wisely. This will be possible only with your continued dedication, hard work and teamwork. So I encourage everyone to evaluate constantly their actions in the Faculty, and the potential impact these actions will have on other parts of the University. The year ahead will certainly bring its own challenges but I’m sure by working together and being focused we can realise our goals as a Faculty. I am convinced that I can count on your support and co-operation. God bless The Faculty of Arts! God bless UCC! God bless Ghana!