The Students’ Financial Support Office (StuFSO), under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, has offered scholarships to brilliant but needy students pursuing postgraduate and undergraduate programmes at different levels for the 2024/2025 academic year.

This scheme is dedicated to supporting students financially to provide them with the sound environment needed to pursue their respective programmes.

StuFSO, at the end of every scholarship process, organizes a Scholars’ Forum to orient the awarded students.

Addressing the students, the Chairperson for the forum who is also the Dean of the School of Business, Prof. John Gartchie Gatsi, congratulated the recipients for their hard work and perseverance, encouraging them to remain focused on their studies.

He charged them to conduct themselves well while on campus and exhibit the values the University was inculcating in them. While reminding the students that education was a lifelong journey and did not end with schooling, he also urged them to seek knowledge beyond the classroom.

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Dean of the School of Business, Prof. John Gartchie Gatsi

Prof. Gatsi further advised them not to forget the University after their studies and urged them to contribute to the scheme for the benefit of future students.

The Head of StuFSO, Ms. Grace Mensah, in her remarks, advised the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously to justify their inclusion in the programme since many more people were waiting to be supported by the University.

She entreated the students to avoid social vices that could hinder their academic progress and urged them to uphold the trust reposed in them by the University.

In addition to the financial support given to the students, StuFSO also provides academic advice, mentorship, and some internship opportunities for scholarship recipients.

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Some dignitaries who graced the occasion

For their part, the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to UCC for granting them the opportunity to be part of its scholarship programme aimed at shaping their future positively.

The event was graced by some senior officials of the University.

 Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

A research project has been launched to revitalise taro production in Ghana.

Taro, locally known as ‘brobe, or ‘kooko’, is a traditionally underutilised but highly promising crop widely cultivated in Ghana. In 2022, its annual production was more than 1.7 million tons.

A Project, spearheaded by scientists from the School of Agriculture at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has been launched to revive taro production and enhance the crop’s commercial value. This will ultimately contribute to addressing Ghana’s food security challenges and enhance agricultural sustainability. The team from UCC includes Prof. Paul A. Asare, Dr. Emmanuel Afutu, and Dr. Kwadwo K. Amoah - all from the Department of Crop Science.

The Project came to light after UCC and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a letter of Agreement (LOA). The Project aligns with the FAO’s international treaty goals of conserving and sustainably utilising plant genetic resources while ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use.

It is a collaborative effort of several key partners, including the Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PGRRI-CSIR), which would play a pivotal role in germplasm conservation and distribution and the Crops Research Institute (CRI-CSIR).

The Project lead, Prof. Michael O. Adu, speaking at the inception meeting to launch the Project, emphasised the need for innovative agricultural solutions in the face of rising food insecurity, as well as untold poverty exacerbated by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

“The declining agrobiodiversity of staple food crops in Ghana has necessitated a shift towards more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. With its zero-waste potential and adaptability to various growing conditions, taro presents a viable solution,” stated Prof. Adu, an ecophysiologist and crop improvement scientist at UCC. 

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Head of the Department of Crop Science-UCC and the Project lead, Prof. Michael O. Adu, speaking at the inception meeting to launch the Project

According to him, the Project would focus on capturing, preserving, and evaluating taro's genetic variation through mutagenesis to develop novel, high-yielding germplasm.

“This includes enhancing tolerance to taro leaf blight disease and drought, thereby improving yields. Additionally, bespoke food processing technologies will add value to taro corms, benefiting small-scale farmers and processors,” he continued.

Prof. Adu indicated that the project would also leverage the expertise of hordes of faculty members from other Departments within the School of Agriculture.

He pointed out that representatives from the PGRRI-CSIR, including the Director, Dr. Daniel Ashie Kotey, and Ms Fuleratu Adams, would play key roles in germplasm conservation and distribution.

Prof. Adu added that Dr. Ernest Baafi of the CRI-CSIR would facilitate molecular studies and the determination of specific genetic traits.

“The Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (BNARI-GAEC) will contribute expertise in mutation breeding and leveraging their Gamma Irradiation Facility. Drs Godwin Amenorpe and Nusrat Tsemah will assist from the BNARI-GAEC,” he told the gathering.

According to him, engagement with farmers and processors was a sine qua non for the Project's success.

He explained that: “On-farm trials, field demonstrations, and participatory research activities will ensure that the new taro varieties and products meet the needs of local communities. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the FAO will assist in disseminating information and promoting the Project’s outcomes locally and internationally.”

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 Group photo of participants after the interactions

He observed that the Central Regional Director of Agriculture, Dr. Peter Omega, was fully committed to the success of the Project.

Prof. Adu indicated that the Project aligned with Ghana’s national plans and policies on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA).

By improving taro productivity and resilience, the project will support several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including ending hunger (SDG 2), taking climate action (SDG 13), and fostering sustainable agriculture.

“We are committed to making a tangible impact on the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Ghana,” Prof. Adu remarked.

He noted: “Through this project, we aim to provide affordable, nutritious staples, reduce poverty, and enhance environmental sustainability.”

The Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Henry De-Graft Acquah, welcomed the project partners, stating: “We are delighted to host such a revered group of experts and collaborators here at UCC. This Project embodies the spirit of innovation and cooperation that defines our School of Agriculture. We look forward to working together to improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture in Ghana.”

He noted that this ambitious initiative would position UCC and its partners to contribute significantly to Ghana’s food security, agricultural sustainability, and rural livelihoods, setting a precedent for future agricultural innovations across the continent.

The project will train PhD and MPhil students, while offering capacity-building opportunities for extension agents, scientists, farmers and Agro-processors.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

The United Nations (UN) Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee has paid a working visit to the Department of Peace Studies, School of Development Studies, University of Cape Coast (UCC). This formed part of the committee’s mission in Ghana to assess national preparedness in counter-terrorism efforts.

The initiative aligned with the committee’s broader programme to review counter-terrorism readiness in UN member states and support academic institutions worldwide to advance research on security issues.

The delegation, led by the Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Ms. Natalia Gherman, engaged with faculty members and discussed potential partnerships to strengthen counter-terrorism research within the University.

Ms. Gherman encouraged the Department to leverage data provided by the UN Counter-Terrorism Directorate in its research agenda.

She also indicated that the collaboration could significantly enrich UCC’s research in combating terrorism through more data-driven approaches.

The Head of the Department of Peace Studies, Dr. Kaderi Noagah Bukari, expressed his appreciation for the Committee’s visit, highlighting the importance of such international collaborations in expanding the Department's research capacity.

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Dr. Kaderi Noagah Bukari presenting Ms. Natalia Gherman with some publications from his department

Dr. Bukari shared insights from faculty and student-led research initiatives that examined critical areas, including how terrorism in some African regions was financed through activities like gold mining and cattle rearing.

As a gesture of goodwill, he presented Ms. Gherman and her team with two publications that contained findings on regional security and financing mechanisms of terrorist groups.

Accompanying the UN delegation was Mr. Daniel Osei Bonsu, Director of Ghana’s National Counter-Terrorism Fusion Centre at the Ministry of National Security.

Mr. Bonsu commended UCC’s contributions to national security research and encouraged the Department to engage openly with national security agencies for support.

He emphasized the importance of demystifying perceptions around national security and the need to build an atmosphere of collaboration between academia and state security.

The visit was seen as a significant milestone for the Department, which has been working towards positioning itself as a key institution in counter-terrorism research within Ghana and West Africa.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

The Department of Communication Studies has received a donation of 10 high-quality Epson projectors valued at GHC 65,000 from its Head of Department (HOD), Prof. William Kodom Gyasi.

According to the donor, the gesture was to facilitate teaching and learning.

Prof. Gyasi explained that his decision to donate was driven by a desire to redefine leadership by taking an active role in supporting the Department.

“I thought of redefining what it means to be a leader because I believe as a leader you have to spend on those you lead,” he stated.

Acknowledging the Department’s challenges with teaching equipment, he expressed the hope that his gesture would ease the burden on lecturers.

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Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah (L) receiving the donation from Prof. William Kodom Gyasi (R). Looking on is Dr. Edem Adzovie, a lecturer at the Dept. of Communication Studies

Speaking at the ceremony, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Kwabena Sarfo Sarfo-Kantankah, expressed  profound gratitude for what he described as an unprecedented act of generosity by Prof.  Gyasi.

“Such good gestures are worth appreciating and emulating,” he said.

The Dean commended Prof. Gyasi for personally funding the projectors, emphasising the importance of individual contributions to institutional growth.

“I must say that using money from your coffers to buy these projectors is commendable and must be praised,” he remarked.

Prof. Sarfo-Kantankah, while applauding Prof. Gyasi for demonstrating that small personal efforts could make a significant impact, also encouraged other faculty members to follow the HOD's example.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC