The Ghana Local Chinese Language Teacher Training Programme, purposely designed to build capacity among Ghanaian teachers in Chinese language instruction, has been held at the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

Hosted by the Confucius Institute, UCC, the event brought together key stakeholders in education to celebrate the growing collaboration between Ghana and China through language and cultural exchange.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Ghana Director of the Confucius Institute, Prof. Emmanuel Amo Ofori, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative in promoting global partnerships.

He indicated a commitment to bridge the gap and deepen connections between Ghana and China through the training programme, adding that Proficiency in Chinese opens doors to academic exchanges and international partnerships.

Dr. Mrs. Juliette Dufie Otami, the Central Regional Director of Education, commended the participants for their dedication. She advised the teachers, stating, “As educators, we are also learners who must remain deeply committed and globally aware.” She urged them to embrace this opportunity with dedication and a sense of purpose.

Also addressing the gathering, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies at UCC, emphasised the relevance of international collaboration in today’s interconnected world.

“We are all aware that in the 21st century, the world is a global village. This calls for greater collaboration,” he noted.

“I commend the University’s management for always organising such programmes and staying ahead with positive initiatives,” he stated.

Gustav Cobbinah Atu Esq, a representative of the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, also lent his support to the programme, describing it as timely and essential.

 “We need more of such initiatives because China has become a global force to reckon with,” he highlighted.

He advised participants to imbibe the spirit of collaboration, curiosity and mutual support and refrain from polluting their learners but rather guide them to grow in global competence.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a comprehensive training programme that will empower local educators with the skills and tools needed to teach Chinese effectively, further strengthening Ghana’s educational and diplomatic ties with China.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

The School of Economics has awarded forty-six (46) students at its 2025 Dean’s Awards ceremony.

In all, fifteen (15) Level 200 students, eight (8) Level 300, and nine (9) Level 400 students were awarded at the event held by the School to recognise and motivate high-performing students who obtained first-class results at the end of each academic year.

Special awards were given to Desmond Dela Doh (MPhil Economics), with a CGPA of 3.0385, and Price Opoku (PhD Economics), with a CGPA of 2.6667.

Prof. Mark Armah and Madam Winifred Minnow Quansah were also honoured for their significant contributions to the School.

Speaking as the Guest Speaker at the ceremony, the Deputy Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank Plc, Prof. Ferdinand Ahiakpor, congratulated the awardees and encouraged them not to rest on their oars.

He urged graduates to be clear about their goals and aspirations to achieve them.

He said that through determination and commitment, not only could they surmount challenges with confidence and clarity but also achieve greatness and positively impact the lives of others and society at large.

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Some students and guests at the event

He urged students to prioritise good character at all stages of their lives.

Prof. Ahiakpor further advised students to continue the School’s tradition of moral excellence, which had shaped many great individuals globally.

He stressed the positive impact of technology on communication, learning, and interaction.

The Deputy Managing Director emphasised the need to embrace digital transformation, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to equip students with essential 21st-century skills.

The Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. James Atta Peprah, for his part, highlighted some successes and achievements chalked up by the School over the academic year.

He expressed appreciation to the faculty and administrative staff of the School for their support throughout the academic year.

Prof. Peprah congratulated the students and encouraged other students whose names did not appear on the Dean’s list to put in their best effort for the academic year ahead.

Prof. Ahiakpor, on behalf of ADB PLC, presented a cheque for 10,000 Cedis to the School.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

The School of Medical Sciences (SMS), University of Cape Coast (UCC), has held a three-day Problem-Based Learning (PBL) training for faculty of the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS).

The programme, which sought to strengthen learner-centered teaching methods, opened with a call to embrace innovative educational strategies tailored for 21st-century medical education.

The Dean of the School of Medical Sciences (SMS), Prof. Sebastian Eliason, presented an address on behalf of the Provost of the College of Health and Allied Sciences (CoHAS), Prof. Martins Ekor. In the address, the provost highlighted the significance of collaborative academic partnerships and stressed UCC's commitment to pedagogical excellence.

The first technical session, led by Prof. Sebastian Eliason, focused on “Innovative Teaching Practices and 21st Century Competencies.” He emphasised the need for a shift from traditional, didactic teaching models towards more learner-centred approaches.

"In today’s knowledge-driven world, it is essential that our methods evolve to reflect the demands of the 21st century,” Prof. Eliason noted. “Critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication must be central to how we train future healthcare professionals,” he highlighted.

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Participants during the training

Prof. Eliason further stressed the importance of equipping faculty with the tools and mindset necessary to cultivate these competencies in students.

The second session for the day was delivered by Dr. Kwabena Dankwa, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Coordinator for Problem-Based Learning (PBL) at the SMS. He introduced participants to the concept and practice of Problem-Based Learning.

"PBL is not just a teaching method; it is a philosophy of learning that places students at the centre of the educational experience," he explained.

"At UCC School of Medical Sciences, we’ve seen significant gains in learner engagement and critical reasoning through PBL.", Dr. Dankwa noted.

Dr. Dankwa also walked participants through the PBL process as practised at UCC, encouraging adaptation and contextualisation of the method in their respective institutions.

The three-day event also featured hands-on activities and detailed explorations of the PBL methodology. Facilitators such as Prof. Patrick O.M. Maison and Prof. Samuel Acquah led sessions on the roles of students and facilitators, assessment tools, and quality assurance in PBL.

The training also included workshops on writing effective PBL scenarios facilitated by Dr. Ansumana S. Bockarie, and discussions on faculty development, digital tools, and institutional strategies for successful PBL implementation led by Prof. Emmanuel K. Achampong and others.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has honoured 122 students for their outstanding performance across various levels of study at the 2025 Dean’s Awards Ceremony.

The colourful ceremony was graced by the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies (CHLS), Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng; the Acting Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Augustine Tanle, and Mr. Isaac Augustus Ogoe, the Human Resource and Administrative Manager of PEPL.

The Provost, Prof. Osei Kwarteng, commended the awardees for their hard work and dedication and encouraged them to earn their degrees honestly. He stressed that earning a degree through honest means was vital for several compelling reasons, such as students not undermining their credibility, not only with their educators but also with themselves.

“Upholding academic integrity builds trust, which is essential for personal and professional relationships,” he explained.

He further added that earning a degree through hard work and not through cheating makes students more employable.

“The primary goal of education is to gain knowledge and skills. Cheating shortcuts this process, preventing students from truly understanding the material. An honest approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped with the knowledge needed in their fields,” Prof. Kwarteng said.

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Provost of CHLS, Prof Kwarteng, presenting an awardee with a certificate of honour

In his remarks, the Acting Dean, Prof. Augustine Tanle, praised the awardees and challenged them to remain consistent with their performance.

“Try and maintain the class you have attained,” he said, urging them to uphold values such as loyalty and humility. He further reminded students about the power of effective communication.

“Your language can send you, promote you, or demote you,” he advised.

Three students emerged as the overall best at their respective levels. Emmanuella Agyeman, a level 200 student, topped the list with a CGPA of 3.96. She was closely followed by Elizabeth Amoo, level 300 with a CGPA of 3.95, and Martin Efemor Paku from level 400 with a CGPA of 3.88.

In his keynote speech, Mr. Isaac Augustus Ogoe, the Human Resource and Administrative Manager of P. E Power Limited, who spoke on the theme, "Beyond the Degrees: Cultivating Employability in a Dynamic World." urged students to build their character and professionalism together with academic work. He also emphasised the need to be disciplined, time-conscious and reliable.

Touching on the importance of dressing appropriately, he noted that dressing decently was a vital aspect of student life that can significantly impact various facets of academic and social experiences. He added that the university is a transitional phase where students prepare for their professional lives.  As such, adopting a habit of dressing appropriately helps students to develop a sense of professionalism that will be beneficial in job interviews and workplace settings.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC