A Capacity-building workshop aimed at equipping participants with critical 21st Century Skills for professional development has been organised for some selected National Service personnel from the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
Participants for the workshop were thoughtfully chosen, with particular emphasis on young women, Persons with disabilities (PWDs), and a select group of male participants.
The four-day training is being held under the auspices of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) programme; Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), and the Mastercard Foundation.
The workshop which was held at the School of Graduate Studies seeks to empower participants to become successful entrepreneurs and also equip them in the competitive job market.
The participants were taken through topics such as creativity, critical thinking, personal mastery, and soft skills such as teamwork and communication, which are vital for career and personal development.
Prof. (Mrs.) Mavis Benneh Mensah giving her remark at the opening ceremony
Opening the workshop, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, who was represented by the Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development (CESSED), Prof. (Mrs.) Mavis Benneh Mensah encouraged participants to seize the opportunities presented by the workshop for personal development and success.
She indicated that the UCC as an inclusive university continues to create avenues to reinvigorate entrepreneurship spirit among its students through established offices like the Design Thinking and Innovation Hub and the Business Incubator. “We attach importance to equipping our students with entrepreneurial skills and to this end, our University runs Entrepreneurship as a liberal course for Level 300 undergraduate students” she noted.
She further stated that that the agricultural value chain presents a lucrative opportunity for young people to find dignified and fulfilling work.
The TAGDev 2.0 Programme Coordinator, Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong, emphasised the broader purpose of the initiative, which aligns with the goal of empowering Africa's youth for socio-economic development.
He underscored the importance of the "Four Cs" in education: “Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration”.
Prof. Festus Annor-Frempong speaking at the workshop
Prof. Annor-Frempong encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and set specific goals for personal growth, particularly in entrepreneurial ventures like agriculture.
He urged the personnel to take every opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills, especially in a world where complacency and stagnation could lead to obsolescence.
The Regional Manager of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Cape Coast), Madam Benedicta Anita Mensah, inspired attendees with a call to confidence and resilience.
Madam Benedicta Anita Mensah motivating the participants
"The skills you acquire in school are transferable to the job market—be confident in applying them," she stated. She also advised participants to cultivate creativity, humility, and strong interpersonal relationships while avoiding procrastination to thrive in dynamic work environments.
The Chairperson for the opening ceremony, Prof. Mavis S. B. Mensah, representing the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, underlined the value of effective networking and lifelong learning. She encouraged participants to explore opportunities in agriculture, describing it as a profitable and transformative sector.
Dr. Wincharles Coker
A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Wincharles Coker, who took the personnel through soft skills training, stressed on the importance of effective communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence to the development personal and professional success.
He advised participants to hone the aforementioned skills to navigate workplace dynamics and achieve their goals.
About TAGDev 2.0 Programme
TAGDev 2.0 is a collaboration between RUFORUM, Mastercard Foundation, 12 African universities and the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agricultural and Life Sciences (GCHERA).
The main objective is to strengthen universities and TVET institutions to better serve communities by skilling and empowering Africa's young people and their institutions to drive inclusive, equitable and climate resilient transformation of agriculture and agrifood systems.
Source: Documentation and Information Section
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, has received a delegation from the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Germany, led by the International Projects Manager, Prof. Rolf Laakmann.
The delegation was on campus to explore ways UCC faculty members would liaise with FH Münster University of Applied Sciences faculty to work on a Project Proposal on Food and Business.
Prof. Boohene expressed her happiness for the visit and indicated that the University’s doors were open to them for more of such in the future.
Responding, the leader of the German delegation, Prof. Rolf Laakmann expressed his pleasure in meeting Prof. Boohene and called for continuous academic collaboration between the two universities.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor and the visitors further discussed possible ways of forging stronger academic ties and cooperation aimed at serving the interests of their students and staff.
The two sides also exchanged views on various academic issues of shared concern. They underscored the importance of multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary research to address societal challenges.
Present at the meeting were the Dean of the Office of International Relations, Prof. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, the Director of the Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance (DAPQA,) Prof. Daniel Agyapong, and Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Prof. Dr. Ernest Abano.
The delegation accompanying Prof. Rolf Laakmann included Prof. Jan Makurat of the Centre of Competence for Humanitarian Relief Department of Good Nutrition Facilities and several high-ranking officials.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
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The Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast has held its first-ever Internship Seminar aimed at enlightening students on the importance of internships in their academic and professional journey.
The Special Guest, Ms. Esi Asare Prah who is the Advocacy and Donor Relations Manager at MSI Ghana emphasized the critical role internships play in preparing students for the job market before graduation.
"Do not wait till level 300 or 400 before you do your internship; you can start from level 100," she advised.
Ms. Prah further explained that internships provided opportunities for networking, which could lead to future employment.
“Internships can help you build relationships with people in the industry, and they will grow a soft spot for you,” she remarked.
Ms. Esi Asare Prah addressing the seminar
She also outlined steps for students to prepare effectively for internships, urging them to be intentional about their career goals, present clear applications, and maintain a strong social presence.
"Take initiative and volunteer at the workplace," she encouraged, adding that students should aim to leave a positive impression wherever they worked.
Ms. Prah also stressed the importance of staying connected with colleagues from internship experiences and setting clear goals to achieve during their placements.
Prof. Augustine Tanle, acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, encouraged students to explore diverse fields when seeking internships.
He reiterated the value of internships as a stepping stone to enhancing students’ employability and marketability in the competitive job market.
The seminar marked an important initiative by the Department to adequately prepare its students for life beyond academia.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation, CEGRAD, has redoubled its efforts to fight the scourge of child marriage in the country.
According to CEGRAD, the negative impacts of child marriage, particularly on the girl-child, were serious and, therefore, needed to be treated as an emergency.
To that end, the Centre has held an adult symposium to sensitise families in the Cape Coast Metropolis on the need to allow their girls to grow properly, be educated or learn a vocation and be psychologically ready for marriage before giving out their hand.
It was on the theme: “Child Marriage and Adolescent Rights and Gender Equality.”
The Director of CEGRAD, Prof. Eunice Fay Amissah, charged parents to guard against child marriage.
“Child marriage which occurs when a person is forced into marriage or a union before the age of 18, is a harmful traditional practice that robs girls of their education, their health and future,” she explained.
She noted that parents played a crucial role in ending the menace which she said robs many young girls of their bright future.
Director of CEGRAD, Prof. Eunice Fay Amissah
The Director indicated that every girl-child must be allowed to benefit fully from her potential just like their male counterparts.
Prof. Amissah urged the teenage girls, who participated in the workshop, to study hard to add value to themselves before venturing into marriage when they were legally qualified.
She called on all stakeholders to double efforts to end the phenomenon to avoid the intergenerational transfer of poverty and ensure girls’ empowerment.
The Central Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Mrs. Richlove Amamoo, for her part, said child marriage robbed girls of their childhood and deprived them of many rights.
She said child marriage contributed to poverty among families and called for the collective commitment of stakeholders to put in place measures that would protect the girl child from the social canker.
Central Regional Director of the Department of Gender, Mrs. Richlove Amamoo
The Regional Director urged stakeholders to advocate girl child empowerment in their communities.
Some of the participants said the workshop was an eye-opener to the dangers of child marriage and pledged to educate their peers and communities.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has organised a two-day leadership training for the executives of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG).
The capacity-building workshop sensitised participants on the importance of effective communication, stakeholder management, office administration and service quality.
A Senior Assistant Registrar at the SGS, Mr. John Linscell Yen, who took participants through effective communication, urged the executives to learn the principles of communication to enable them discharge their mandate efficiently.
He said communication was hinged on the exchange of information, ideas, and thoughts stressing its pivotal role in the day-to-day administration of student leaders.
“Effective communication involves not only the transmission of a message but also the understanding and interpretation of that message by the receiver,” he said.
Mr. John Linscell Yen making his presentation at the training
Mr. Yen reiterated that poor communication created confusion and misunderstanding in every group. He, therefore, encouraged the student leaders to be good listeners and also learn the importance of clarifying issues.
The Vice-Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Ruphino Zugle, took the participants through Stakeholder management, while Mr. Isaac Yeboah Nsaful, an Assistant Registrar, spoke on office administration and service quality.
The GRASAG President, Robert Ipiin Gnankob, expressed his appreciation to the organisers for building the leadership capacity of the executives.
“So far, the things I have learnt are very helpful and I hope to apply them in my presidency,” he said.
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa, who opened the training, commended the executives for their active participation and encouraged them to practice what they had learnt.
Source: Documentation and Information Section- UCC
The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. (Mrs.) Rosemond Boohene, has reiterated the commitment of UCC to deepen academic ties with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC).
She said UCC had enjoyed longstanding collaboration with UESTC since 2016.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor said this when a high-level delegation, led by the Director of the Centre for West African Studies (CWAS) of UESTC, Prof. Shurong Zhao, visited her on campus.
Prof. Boohene praised UESTC for the win-win collaboration between the two institutions.
Director of the Centre for West African Studies of UESTC, Prof. Shurong Zhao making a presentation to Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. (Mrs.) Rosemond Boohene.
For her part, Prof. Shurong Zhao said the Chinese government had introduced Digital Marketing Courses and would like faculty members to benefit from them.
She added the Chinese government would continue to promote social and economic development in African countries and hailed the partnership between UESTC and China.
Accompanying Prof. Shurong Zhao to UCC was the Director of School of Information and Communication Engineering, Prof. Xie Mei. Also present were Qu Jianming, Zhao Shurong, Sun Tiantian and Luo Ailing.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
A group of University of Cape Coast (UCC) alumni, known as “Brethren”, has donated and installed 10 solar street lights on the campus of the University.
The lighting system, which has been installed on the Technology Village and Superannuation Hall stretch, will illuminate the area and ensure security.
Presenting the solar street lights on behalf of the members of the group, the President, Mr. Klenam Asem, said the donation was to contribute towards providing a safe and secure environment for the students and teaching staff.
He called on the management of UCC to ensure regular maintenance of the lights.
Speaking on behalf of the Registrar of UCC, Mr. Enoch Gideon Abbeyquaye, the Acting Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Atta Yeboah-Sarpong, expressed the hope that the lighting equipment would make students go about their academic activities safely at night.
The Brethren Alumni Group and some UCC officials cutting a tape to unveil the lights
He commended the group for giving back to their alma mater and called on other alumni groups to emulate their example.
Dr. Yeboah-Sarpong underscored the importance of alumni associations to the growth of every tertiary institution and was hopeful that the group would be remembered anytime humanity and philanthropy were mentioned.
In a remark, the Dean of Students, Prof. Daniel Apaak, thanked the UCC Brethren Group.
He said UCC continues to seek the support of all alumni and well-meaning individuals to advance the University’s cause.
The interim president of the UCC Students’ Representative Council, Vincent Kojo Siabi, for his part, said the donation was timely and would improve security for students and staff of the University.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The School of Medical Sciences (SMS),University of Cape Coast (UCC), has inducted 169 medical students into the clinical phase of their training at its 15th White Coat ceremony.
The ceremony, held at the New Examination Centre, was a rite of passage for students to pass through in obtaining practical learning experience and subsequently becoming medical doctors.
The students also took the medical Students’ Oath which read in part that “they will practise medicine to the highest standards of conduct and seek what is best for their patients and without allowing greed, nor stinginess, nor desire for great reputation to corrupt them”. A former Dean of the School, Prof. Ivy A. E. Ekem, administered the SMS Oath to the students.
Delivering a speech as the guest speaker, the Director of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi, Dr. Joseph Kofi Tambil, congratulated the students on completion of the basic science portion of medicine and advised them to show respect and compassion towards their patients.
He said, as medical students, they should create their future now while in school by upholding the standards and principles in delivering their responsibilities.
Dr. Tambil admonished them to demonstrate a high sense of discipline, comportment and moral high ground, as well as adhering strictly to the ethics of the profession.
A section of the medical students taking the Medical Students’ Oath
He urged them to pursue excellence by committing to lifelong learning and embracing teamwork. The Director further tasked them to be innovative and creative while striving for excellence during their training.
He advised them to be time-conscious in all their endeavours to progress faster in life.
“The first step towards success is self-management. Be time-conscious and do a SWOT analysis of yourselves to be good doctors,” said Dr. Tambil.
He reminded them of four cardinal principles of life, these he said, were beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and autonomy at the hospital, which according to him, every medical student should know.
Dr. Tambil implored the medical students to dress decently to reflect the ethics of the profession.
The Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Martins Ekor, who chaired the function, commended the students for their hard work, dedication and passion for studying medicine.
He urged them to ensure that they adopted the tenets of compassion, care and love in the next phase of their studies.
Director of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region, Dr. Joseph Kofi Tambil
According to him, the white coat the medical students would wear was a symbol of the trust and responsibility that had been placed in them by the society.
He said SMS had seen significant improvement in infrastructure and facilities, and commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong for the rapid expansion of the school.
The Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, Prof. Sebastian Eliason, in his address, described the ceremony as an iconic ritual that had become a symbolic hallmark of the SMS. This, according to him, inspired the zeal in students but more importantly, to remind them of their responsibility to care for humanity.
He advised them to build skills in communication, critical thinking and collaboration in their clinical studies.
The Founding Dean of the School of Medical Sciences of UCC, Prof. Harold Amonoo-Kuofie, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of UCC, asked the students to adopt the tenets of ethical practice, altruism, humanistic care, compassion, care and love.
"As you embark on this journey, remember that medicine is a calling that requires ethical practice, altruism, and humanistic care," he said.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion with the fresh clinical students in a shot
He advised them to be lifelong learners, curious, technologically savvy and continually update their skills to provide evidence-based care.
"Your predecessors have set a high standard for you to emulate and improve upon. I challenge you to embrace this legacy, push boundaries and contribute meaningfully to the medical community, " he added.
UCC SMS was established in 2008 to augment the training of medical professionals to help close the patient-doctor ratio gap. Since then, it has produced high-quality doctors for Ghana and the world through a first-class curriculum.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
A sculpture depicting a person weighed down by a heavy load while embarking on an academic journey has been unveiled the Science Shuttle Station at North Campus.
The monument was made by a sculptor, Ms. Christabel Ama Asmah, a national service person at the Department of Vocational and Technical Education (VoTEC).
It is made of resin, sack, rope, paint, metal and cement.
Ms. Christabel Ama Asmah explaining the sculpture to the gathering
Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Asmah said learners carry a lot of load, some of which she noted were peer pressure, side hustle, financial constraints, and broken homes. According to her, it was common for students to suffer from mental overload and imbalances.
"These loads may lead to depression, and other behavioural or mental disorders. This imagery offers an invaluable opportunity to engage the academic community in meaningful thought and discussion about mental health," she added.
Ms. Asmah indicated that the sculpture would contribute to a culture of understanding, empathy and support for a well balanced life between academics and other extracurricular activities.
The Registrar Mr. Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye cutting the tape to inaugurate the sculpture
The Registrar of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr. Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye, who led the unveiling ceremony, said the monument was significant because it reminded students about the importance of mental health.
He commended Ms. Asmah for the monument and encouraged students to embrace opportunities offered them to study hard in order to build a better future for themselves.
In attendance were some university officials, lecturers and students.
Source: Documentation and Information Section