The University Hospital under the Directorate of Health Services (DUHS) of University of Cape Coast has scored 92.8% in key health priority areas. This is according to visiting assessors from the Central Regional Health Directorate Peer Review Team.
Among the checklists of the assessors for the key health priority areas were mental health, triage system, maternal and child health services observation, intensified prevention and control of communicable diseases. Others were ensuring the reduction of new HIV/AIDS and other STIs, enhancing efficiency in governance and management of health system as well as Institutional Care among others.
The assessors were made up of laboratory scientists, doctors, accountants and pharmacists, among others, from various hospitals.
Director of DUHS, Dr. Evans Ekanem, making a point at the review meeting
At a durbar to review the UCC Hospital, the leader of the Regional Monitoring Team, Mr. Peter Kyeremateng, explained that the peer review exercise was to ensure continuous quality improvement in activities in the various hospitals.
He noted that the Regional Health Directorate had adopted a holistic assessment model in which health facilities in the region assess one another's performance using a peer review mechanism to ensure fair and independent assessment based on selected indicators.
He expressed satisfaction with the results scored by the UCC hospital and urged the hospital to maintain the feat chalked up in the assessment and praised the high spirit of commitment of health staff across UCC Hospital.
"Thank you UCC hospital for participating and holding the peer review concept. Peer review or no peer review, UCC hospital is improving," said Mr. Kyeremateng, who is also the Regional Chief Pharmacist.
Deputy Director of DUHS, Dr. James Prah, also leader of the UCC Peer Review Team
The Deputy Director of the University Health Services, Dr. James Prah revealed that the peer review program had enhanced healthcare delivery at the hospital.
He said the hospital would not be complacent about its performance and expressed the hope that they would meet the standard set by the Regional Health Directorate at all time.
The Deputy Director said the Hospital chalked up the success as a result of dedication, commitment and endurance.
Dr. Prah, who is the leader of the University Health Services Peer Review Team, added that the Hospital would take seriously the concerns raised by the assessors and make conscious efforts to address the gaps identified by the assessors after their monitoring tour of the hospital.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, who chaired the function, observed that the peer review programme would improve the performance of health facilities in the region, to provide effective healthcare to the populace.
She urged the UCC Hospital to sustain the gains and encouraged the staff to continue to be nice to patients and clients to enhance good quality health delivery.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Department of Theater and Film Studies of University of Cape Coast has launched the Elolo Gharbin Season Theatre for the second semester of the 2021/2022 academic year.
It was difficult for theatre lovers to hold back their laughter almost throughout the duration of excerpts of four plays to be staged for the semester.
The students of the Department of Theater and Film studies have a reputation for putting out attention-grabbing plays and this semester is not an exception.
Dubbed, "A Season of Four Plays" the students will stage four (4) productions namely: "the Dilemma of a Ghost"; "Altine's Wrath"; "Blood and Tears" and “My CGPA and God."
The plays will be staged on the 6th to 8th, 13th to 15th, 20th to 22nd and 27th to 29th of October, 2022, respectively, at the Main Auditorium-UCC.
Omanhen of Twifo Traditional Area, Otumfuo Amoah Sasraku IV speaking at the launch
The Omanhen added that the credibility of any film was judged by its sound quality, stage, story content and good performance.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah, underscored the need to inject capital, technological devices and innovativeness to enhance theater and film productions at the Department.
The Dean explained that the revolution of the continent will stem from its creative industry, stressing that due to the ease of entry and vast opportunities, the sector could employ millions of young people. He, therefore, underlined that for UCC to become an entrepreneurial university, much premium should be put on the Department of Theater and Film Studies.
Prof. Sarfo-Kantankah reiterated his firm commitment to support the Department to build the capacities and knowledge of students.
The Head of the Department, Dr. Atta Xornam Owusu, in a brief remark, said theater goers should expect mind-blowing performances from the students.
Some patrons, mostly students, expressed satisfaction with the excerpts and said they looked forward to watching the full plays.
The launch was witnessed by the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Gideon Abbeyquaye Esq; the Deputy Librarian, Ms. Paulina Kwafoa as well as some traditional authorities.
The late Mr. Elolo Gharbin
The Department of Theater and Film Studies of University of Cape Coast was established in 2004.
In its formative years, the Department had only one lecturer, Mr. Elolo John Gharbin.
Mr. Gharbin taught almost all the courses offered by the Department until about the second or third year when other lecturers were employed to teach courses in theater.
In September 2020, he passed on and the Department named the theater season after him.
Source: Documentation and Information Section
The All African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES) has been organized at the University of Cape Coast with a call on Africans to adopt an education curriculum that projects Africa’s culture and value system at the centre of teaching and learning experience.
The Summit which was on the theme, “Reclaiming African Sovereignty through African-Centered Education: Pushing Excellence as a Mantra in Everything Through the Right Education" was held under the auspices of the Obokese Foundation and assemble Presidents of tertiary institutions, black educators, students among others.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area, in his address, as the guest speaker, noted that education in Africa was indoctrinated. According to him, Africa was a "broken continent" because its wealth and economy were being controlled by their "enemies", adding that imperialism was a bane on the continent.
Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhen of Essikado Traditional Area
He indicated that African history was being tainted by their colonial masters and it was affecting the bright future of the continent. The Omanhen called for a new Africa that exuded the spirit of Pan Africanism.
"There must be a new Africa and that Africa will get rid of Ghana, Nigeria. That is truly the pan African spirit. Who created Ghana, who created Nigeria?" he asked, maintaining that the colonial masters named African countries.
Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Director of Pan African Festival
Rabbi Kohain Halevi, Director of Pan African Festival, in a short remark, said the African colonial masters had buried the character of Africa.
"They told us that we were animals, we come from jungles and destroyed our culture, language, heritage and stole our artifacts” he said.
Dr. Nana Kwamina Krah II, Rector of Obokese University of Excellence
Dr. Nana Kwamina Krah II, Rector of Obokese University of Excellence, for his part, said Africa should stand on its ground to reclaim its sovereignty, saying that the ancestors of Africans were fully behind the current crop of generation.
Nana Kwebu Ewusi VII, Omanhen of Abeadzi Dominase in a brief remark, called on Africans to come together to change the sordid story of the continent. He said traditional rulers were available to support that worthy cause.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, said UCC puts premium on internationalisation and called for collaborations with the diaspora.
Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, Nana Obokese Ampah
Explaining the purpose for the summit, the Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area, Nana Obokese Ampah, noted that for far too long, Africa's continued application of the self-serving Eurocentric infrastructure that Britain left behind had led to continuous dependence and exploitation to the detriment of the rapid development of the continent.
"The introduction of a powerful and proven African centered education model will provide a solid African foundation, announcing to the world anew, that African people still possess the capacity to think for themselves, act in their interest and chart their own destiny" he asserted.
Nana Obokese who was also the chairman for the summit indicated that the education renaissance would further represent an academic paradigm shift reminiscent of Mansa Musa's famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 where he shocked the then known world by an unprecedented display of African wealth, splendour, civility and genius.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies (CHLS), University of Cape Coast, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, has received in courtesy visit, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur, wife of the late former vice president, His Excellency (H.E.) Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.
The visit, Mrs. Amissah-Arthur stated, was to present portraits of the late veep to the College.
The late Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur contributed significantly towards the building of the Amissah-Arthur Language Centre, which serves the language departments within the Faculty of Arts.
Mrs. Amissah-Arthur in a meeting with the Registrar of UCC, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame, Provost of CHLS and other members of the College during her visit
She expressed gratitude to management of UCC and the Board of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies for the recognition.
For his part, Prof. Kwarteng acknowledged H. E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur's laudable profile in public service, serving as governor of the Bank of Ghana as well as vice-president of Ghana.
For using his rich experience and knowledge in serving the country and humanity, Prof. Kwarteng said the death of the former veep had robbed the family and the country of one of its finest gentlemen.
Prof. Kwarteng indicated that the College would immortalize the memory of the former vice president for his generosity towards the University by erecting his bust at the frontage of the Language Centre.
Present at the meeting were the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Onyame and a former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole.
The Amissah-Arthur Language-UCC
The language centre project, which started in 2003 as a GetFund project, was halted due to lack of funds, but was taken over and completed by a collaboration between the Bank of Ghana under the then leadership of Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur as governor, and the University of Cape Coast in 2011.
Mrs. Amissah-Arthur presenting a portrait of the late vice president to the Registrar of UCC and Provost of CHLS
While commissioning the facility, the late Mr. Amissah-Arthur indicated that for Ghana to be part of the global world and economy, there was the urgent need to pay attention to learning of more international languages.
H. E. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur passed away on 28th June, 2018, aged 67.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The College of Education Studies (CES), University of Cape Coast (UCC) has organized a public lecture and exhibition. The lecture, on the theme, “College of Education Studies @ 60: Past, Present and Future" was also part of activities lined up for the 60th anniversary celebration of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) scheduled for 20th of October, 2022.
A former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, the guest speaker at the event, entreated the College to not only equip students with academic skills, but also "a mix of academic, technical skills, industrial skills and the soft skills they need to thrive and show resilience in a post-Covid-19 economy.”
Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, guest speaker at the event.
The former Vice-Chancellor appealed to the College to set up a research unit to promote multidisciplinary or trans-disciplinary research studies in endogenous knowledge systems with members from other disciplinary areas or colleges.
He indicated that the College had produced a sea of Deans and Provosts who should make their voices heard on national issues, especially on education.
Prof Anamuah-Mensah suggested to the College to "take the initiative to collaborate with other Deans of faculties and Provosts of colleges of education in other universities in the country to establish a non-partisan association to be called Association of Deans and Provosts of Public Universities."
He also suggested to the College to select a day in October to celebrate what he described as ‘National Education Day’ to mark the day the Faculty of Education, now College of Education Studies, was established.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah used the occasion to walk the audience through the past and present of the College.
The Provost of the College, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, in his address, expressed gratitude to past Provosts, Deans, as well as staff for their hard work.
Provost of the CES, Prof. Ernest Davis
Prof. Davis added that the College had supported government's agenda on education through the Institute of Education which was graduating the first batch of students on the new B.ED curriculum ran at the colleges of education in Ghana.
He explained that the College had developed short demand-driven courses to equip lecturers, who do not have professional education background, with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver high quality lessons.
He praised the research output of the College which had resulted in the promotion of over forty (40) faculty members to the rank of professor.
Regarding collaboration, he said the College had academic ties with US universities that enable students of the College to travel to the US to observe at firsthand teaching and learning at the institutions.
Prof. Christine Adu-Yeboah, Director of the School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO) presenting a citation of honour to Prof. Ghartey Ampiah
The event also witnessed some personalities who had served the College in different capacities receive citations of honour.
In all, fifteen (15) well distinguished and accomplished scholars (former Deans and Provosts) were honoured. Among them were; the guest of honour of the College of Education Day celebration, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah; the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah; a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. George K. T. Oduro and Prof. Eric Magnus Wilmot, the Vice-Chancellor of C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences.
There was also a special citation of honour presented to the Omanhen of Oguaa, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II for his unflinching support for the College over the years.
Some stands at the exhibition with patrons
The exhibition, according to the Provost of the College, Prof. Ernest K. Davis, was to ensure that students were well equipped to contribute towards job creation to reduce unemployment in the country, adding that "we are training our students to be job creators and not job seekers."
Patrons of the exhibition expressed delight and affection about the exhibition and the variety of items that were on display.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Ghana Bioenterprise Innovations Partnership (GBIP) and the Ghana-Britain Partnership for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (GB-PIE) of the Innovations for African Universities (IAU) has launched a business manual to guide young start-ups through the process of regularising their businesses.
Titled: “A Stepwise Guide to the Registration of Businesses for Young Start-ups,” the manual chronicles modern ways of equipping young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to translate their ideas into viable ventures.
It also aims at simplifying the cumbersome processes that start-ups face in the registration of their business.
According to him, most students and graduates jettison their plans of creating their own jobs to become entrepreneurs as a result of the time-honoured business registration processes faced by young entrepreneurs.
“Therefore, this manual provides a step-by-step guide from the selection of business name to the final inspection by a regulatory agency,” added Prof. Acheampong, who is also the Dean of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Cape Coast, UCC.
For her part, the Head of Medory Natural, Dr. Ama Kyearaa Thomford, who developed the manual, stated that it was based on the practical experiences of Medory.
According to her, Medory Naturals, a Ghanaian start-up which is into manufacturing and sale of natural health products from Ghanaian plants, went through the steps in business registration and, thus, recommended the manual to young entrepreneurs.
“The products are intended for persons of all ages especially those seeking healthy alternatives to the sugar-based and caffeinated drinks common on the Ghanaian market,” she added.
Held at the Sam Jonah Library-UCC, the event was attended by team members from the IAU project partners, faculty, students and teaching assistants from UCC. The IAU projects have the University of Cape Coast, University of Health and Allied Sciences, and the University of St Andrews, Scotland-UK as partners.
Also present at the event were Dr. Francis Ackah Armah – Senior Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences;
Dr. Richael Odarkor Mills – Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. George Ghartey-Kwansah – Lecturer, Department of Biomedical Sciences; Dr. Kwame Kumi Asare – Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Dr. Kwesi Prah Thomford – Lecturer, Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Security Section of University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Security Directorate of University of Education, Winneba (UEW), have discussed ways to promote cooperation as well as exchange of experiences and best practices to boost security on their respective campuses.
The Head of Security-UCC, Col. Joseph Kojo Baah-Tsiquaye, welcomed to his office, the Head of the UEW Security Directorate, Chief Opare Addo, and his accompanying delegation.
Speaking at the meeting, Col. Baah-Tsiquaye indicated that the Security Section of UCC had intensified day and night patrols in the 'diaspora' or outskirts of the University where students had their accommodation. This, he noted, was to enable both students and staff go about their academic activities without harbouring any fears of being attacked or robbed.
Commending UCC management for prioritising issues of security on campus, he said management had supported the Section to ensure safety and security of all students and staff.
The intervention from management, Col. Baah-Tsiquaye added, was to make sure the Section exhibited professionalism in the discharge of its duties and also to meet the challenge of ensuring internal security.
The two sides also had discussions on enhancing visibility and community policing strategies to make their university communities safer and increase the quality of lives of residents.
For his part, Chief Opare Danso said since the dynamics of internal security had changed, it had also caused the traditional concept of internal security policing to change hence their visit to UCC to learn best practices.
He explained the security architecture of UEW to Col. Baah-Tsiquaye as well as the immense support management of UEW had given to the Directorate to deliver on its mandate.
Visit to Director of Consular and General Services
The UEW Security officials, led by Chief Opare Danso, also paid a call on the Director of Consular and General Services-UCC, Mrs. Alberta Graham at her office.
Mrs. Graham thanked the delegation for the visit and lauded them for picking brain on security from UCC’s Security Section.
For his part, Chief Opare Danso thanked the Director for the hospitality accorded him and his accompanying delegation.
The UEW delegation included PSO Atampa John, UEW Operations Commander; PSO Samuel Hood, the UEW Central Commander and SSO James Morgan, North Commander.
The rest were SSO Asiedu Angela, North Secretary (North Campus); SSO Francis Drafor (Patrol Officer, Ajumako Campus) and SSO Salia Jeremiah (Investigation)
The UCC delegation included Mr. Patrick Adusei-Poku, Mr. Gershon Ka Sewornu, amongst others.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Sports Section of University of Cape Coast (UCC) has stepped up its preparation ahead of the 27th Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games.
To be hosted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in November, 2022, the Section organized an ‘Athletics Open Championship’ to select athletes to form the nucleus of "Team UCC" for the GUSA Games.
The selected students will represent the University in disciplines such as handball, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, hockey, volleyball and netball, amongst others.
Some female athletes at the Athletics Open Championship
In 2020, Team UCC accumulated sixty-four (64) medals in total at the 26th GUSA Games to beat the likes of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW); University for Development Studies (UDS); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and host school, University of Ghana (UG).
UCC were also declared champions of the Games in 2018, 2016 and 2014 respectively.
However, the GUSA Games were suspended by the Ministry of Youth and Sports following the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
In July, this year, after a successful deliberation between GUSA Executives and the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Minister gave GUSA the green light to organize the Games after two years ban due to Covid-19. However, the Ministry told the participating universities to make sure all athletes were vaccinated.
Some officials at the Athletics Open Championship
The Acting Head of the Sports Section, Mr. Edward Appiah, said Team UCC was poised to win the Games in Kumasi.
He added that the athletes gave a remarkable account of themselves and described them as a formidable force to reckon with.
He explained that Team UCC would parade experienced athletes who would prove their mettle in not just participating, but would contribute significantly to the medal accumulation of the University at the GUSA Games.
Hence, he said, the Section would carefully select athletes for the Games.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has demonstrated unalloyed love and heartfelt appreciation to retirees who have served the University in various ways during their prime.
The University recognized the senior citizens for their invaluable contributions, sacrifices, dedicated service and selflessness that had brought UCC this far.
As part of activities marking UCC’s 60th anniversary, the University set the day aside to honour its retirees.
The programme, which was held at the forecourt of the Sam Jonah Library, also afforded the senior citizens the unique opportunity to reflect and share their rich experiences with staff in active service.
A retiree in a traditional performance with dancers of a cultural troupe at the event
Optional speeches
The Retirees Day celebration afforded the superannuated staff of the University the platform to share their experiences during their prime as staff of UCC.
Prof. N.N. Koufie, the composer of the UCC anthem
In the past, he recalled, junior staff members of UCC were always assaulted by students. That development, according to him, angered members of Tertiary Education Workers’ Union (TEWU) who also took revenge on the students by putting out lights in the Halls, amongst other unsanctioned measures which were academically detrimental to students. This action by TEWU stemmed the reprehensible behaviours by students, Prof. Kuoufie added.
He explained that it was in the light of the aforementioned that culminated in the verse two of the UCC Anthem, specifically the line: “Being proud of this, we students and workers in concert shall work that your image may be heightened.”
Prof. Opoku Agyemang
He recalled his heyday at UCC when he took his first university examinations which he described as “dreadful.” He said UCC provided them three free meals a day and were paid book allowances.
Prof. Opoku Agyemang, who joined UCC in 1986, added, “Some of us have attained major national prominence to the credit of UCC.”
Mr. David Attah
He recounted how staff were using typewriters in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Attah, who gained employment in UCC in 1961, said the University provided students with bicycles to facilitate their academic work which the students used to ply “the students’ Bicycle road”, which is now commonly referred to by the current crop of students as “School Bus Road.”
Efua Kuma
Madam Efua Kuma was a caterer at the University. She recollected how students flocked the dining hall of the University to have their delicious free meals.
She said if the meal was not provided to students on time, the students always went bananas and, therefore, it was the caterers’ responsibility to come to work at 4am to ensure all meals were served to students on time.
Mr. Johnny Bansah, a former Chief Librarian
Mr. Johnny Bansah, a former Chief Librarian who served for 38 years, reminisced about a foreign lecturer, Dr. Mrs. Dimelow, who had a forest reserve in UCC to keep her wild animals.
“Woe betide any employee who would kill any of the animals in the forest, the person will be sacked,” he recalled, hence, the name Dimelow Forest on campus.
He said that Dr. Dimelow was killed by one of the wild animals in that forest, paving way for the labourers in UCC to kill all the animals.
He urged the retirees to place their experience at the doorsteps of active staff.
Some other retirees, who spoke at the function, counseled staff in active service to uphold the values of integrity and self-discipline.
According to them, retirees were valuable human resource whose contribution to the development of UCC could not be over-emphasised.
They explained that retirees were an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom that the University should continue to tap.
The senior citizens pledged their support to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong to succeed, with others calling on university management to take good care of their welfare.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC