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UCC Participates in RUFORUM in Namibia

16 Aug, 2024 By DIS

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has participated in the 2024 Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to renew its commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural practices that drive socio-economic growth and development across the continent.

The second triennial conference, which was held from 12th to 16th August, 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, was on the theme: "Operationalising Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialisation, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action".

The five-day conference was in response to the urgent need for African governments, development partners, the private sector, and the citizenry to take action to invest in higher education that underpins the continent’s urgent development needs inclusively and sustainably.

It brought together policymakers including ministers and technical experts, higher education leaders in Africa, development partners, private sector leaders, researchers, innovators, students, and farmer organizations among others.

At the event, UCC had the opportunity to showcase its innovations, products and services through an exhibition.

Dr. Itah Kandjii Murangi speaking at the conference

Opening Ceremony

The Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, who officially opened the conference, underscored the value of harnessing the youth demographic by educating more young Africans to contribute to the development of the continent and the world.

“Other continents are struggling with an aging population yet Africa has not fully realised the potential of its young people. To do so, we must educate and skill our young people while preparing them for the emerging world of work where they will contribute to our and the world’s economic development,” she added.

She called upon scientists to ensure that Africa was not just a consumer of scientific knowledge and products but a generator of solutions that would help humanity thrive on this planet. To do that, she advised that Science, Technology and Innovation must be at the forefront of every initiative.

Dr. Itah Kandjii Murangi further tasked scientists present at the conference to discuss and provide policy information for improving last-mile delivery of science, knowledge and products that people need to make agriculture work for them.

The RUFORUM Executive Secretary, Prof. Patrick Okori, in his welcome address, said that no young person in Africa should be academically starved when there was so much capacity from African universities to explore their full potential for the sustainable development of Africa.

He, therefore, called for the right skillsets for the youth in Africa which was a prerequisite for the attainment of the Higher Education 2024 to get gainfully employed nationals to contribute to national development.

“I therefore urge you, fellow patriots, to seize the opportunity this  RUFORUM is providing to partner for the noble cause of educating our people to also achieve the Africa we want,” he continued.

The various speakers at the conference agreed that African solutions were within Africa, and therefore, African institutions should work together to advance solutions for Africa.

In an interview with reporters after the conference, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, underscored the need for African leaders to support and entice the youth to engage in agriculture through the right policies, access to skills, innovations and the right technologies.

According to her, there were huge opportunities in the sector, hence the need to modernise the sector to attract young people to tackle unemployment and food insecurity. 

The UCC delegation was led by  Prof. Rosemond Boohene, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University. Other members of the delegation included Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences; Prof. L.K. Sam Amoah, School of Agriculture and Prof. Festus Annoh Frimpong, Coordinator, TAGDve 2.0.

The rest were Mr. Gideon Abbeyquaye, Director, Directorate of Academic Affairs; Dr. Fatima Von Abubakar, Lecturer, School of Agriculture; Dr. Zikiru Shaibu, TAGDve 2.0; Mr. Kwabena Antwi-Konadu, Head, Campus Broadcasting Services (CBS), Mr. Nasir Y. Entsie, Head, Documentation and Information Section, and Mr.  Fiifi Andoh-Kumi, Head, Laison Office of the Directorate of Academic Affairs.  

Students on the delegation included Clement Okechukwu Attamah, PhD Agriculture Extension; Andrew Kibogo, PhD Wildlife Management and Noah Mweta, PhD Sociology.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

School of Business organises conference for Nigerian Auditors

14 Aug, 2024 By DIS

The heads of internal audits in Nigerian universities have attended a two-day conference organised by the School of Business of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).

The conference, on the theme, “Safeguarding the Governance of the University,” was to hone the professional skills of the Nigerian internal auditors in principles of good governance, accountability and transparency to improve their respective institutions.

The conference exposed the participants to financial audit, operation audit, structural integrity audit, human resource audit, fraud audit, and risk management audit.

Speakers at the conference included seasoned internal auditors from the Internal Audit Agency in Ghana, as well as internal auditors from Ghanaian universities.

The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Commissioner of Police COP (Mrs) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, took participants through forensic audit.

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

Addressing the participants, the Dean of the School of Business, stated that the role of internal auditors could not be overemphasized in any private or public organisation, noting that “they assure the implementation of regulations and policies to enhance the space of accountability and transparency and ensure value for money.”

He said it was important that the auditors abided by the code of ethics as enshrined in the global internal audit standards to make them stand out as people who belong to a profession worth defending.

In line with their work, the Dean admitted that “Internal auditors have to battle with psychological difficulties in their work and ethical dilemma all the time if they are minded to do the right thing.”

He urged stakeholders to support the work of internal auditors to enable them deliver their mandate.

 

Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng

The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Kwame Osei Kwarteng, who chaired the event, urged the internal auditors to leverage their expertise and devise strategies for better resource management of their various institutions.

He noted that the theme of the conference could not be more relevant and urged the participants to take the training seriously and make the best use of the opportunity.

The Registrar of the College of Education Studies, Dr. Atta Yeboah-Sarpong, who represented the acting Registrar of UCC, Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey, in a remark, told participants to integrate the knowledge and experience gained in the conference into working collaboratively with others to ensure that their organisations provide accurate financial reporting.

Some of the internal auditors from Nigerian universities who participated in the conference

Some of the participants, who spoke to reporters after the event, expressed their gratitude to the organisers of the conference for giving them a deeper insight into audit and asked for more of such conferences to be organised for internal auditors in the sub-region to learn about new trends and best practices.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Prof. Denis Aheto

University of Waterloo Appoints Prof. Denis Aheto as Adjunct Professor

13 Aug, 2024 By louis Mensah

In recognition of his expertise and significant contributions, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, the Director of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has been appointed as Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo (UW), Canada.

This appointment  complements his current engagement as The TD Walter Bean Visiting Professorship in Environment at UW, a prestigious position awarded to Prof. Aheto, acknowledging his outstanding work and professional leadership in the field of coastal resilience globally. (https://uwaterloo.ca/environment/td-walter-bean-professorship-environment).

Professor Aheto is a highly respected expert in the field of coastal and marine ecosystem management. In his role as Director of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, he has led groundbreaking research projects, policy development and capacity building initiatives across the African continent in support of marine ecosystem resilience and sustainable development of coastal communities in Africa.

A letter signed by the Dean, Faculty of Environment, Prof. Bruce Frayne partly read “We are very appreciative of your contributions as the TD Walter Bean Professor in Environment as well as the ongoing relationship between the University of Waterloo and the University of Cape Coast. Your role as Adjunct Professor will further enable research activities and contributions to graduate students training at the University of Waterloo”.

In his new role as Adjunct Professor, Professor Aheto will be contributing to research, teaching, and student supervision at the Faculty of Environment. His rich background in marine and coastal resources will provide students with valuable insights into global environmental issues and the necessity of sustainable practices in managing coastal and marine resources.

Commenting on his appointment, Prof. Aheto said "I am honored to join the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo as an Adjunct Professor. This opportunity will allow me to advance my research career in coastal resilience and connect with a worldwide community of practice involving scholars, policy makers and practitioners. I’ll continue to collaborate with my colleagues at the University of Waterloo to advance our understanding of coastal and marine systems and develop innovative solutions to the pressing challenges faced by coastal communities globally."

About the University of Cape Coast

The University of Cape Coast is a premier public university in Ghana, known for its excellence in research and education. The Africa Centre of Excellence on Coastal Resilience, led by Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, is a World Bank designated centre of excellence that conducts cutting-edge applied research, training and policy and coastal community initiatives to promote sustainable development of coastal communities in Africa.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

Afro Fest 2024 exceeds expectation

12 Aug, 2024 By DIS

After enduring weeks of demanding preparation, students of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the University of Cape Coast have delivered unforgettable performances at the Afro Fest 2024.

The much-hyped event, a night of fun, entertainment and vivacity, was aimed at promoting and preserving African heritage and cultural diversity.

It also witnessed energetic live performances from some selected student artistes who performed most of the popular chart-topping hit songs, without breaks, to entertain attendees.

At a point, the creative skills, stagecraft and style of performing by the students were well acknowledged by the audience who got up on their feet in sheer excitement. Student comedians also thrilled comedy lovers with rib-cracking jokes.

Some of the students displaying their designs

After the event, some of the attendees shared their impressions with reporters, praising the performance and the message of the concert. 

“What a night! The students from the Hospitality have done very well. They brought the venue down with their energies and talents. I loved every minute of it,” Master Samuel Frimpong, a level 500 Medical Student, said.

Miss. Cindy Agyekum, a level 300 student of Communication Studies, commented, “This was more than a concert. It was a celebration of Africa, of music, of comedy. They made me proud to be African."

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

 

 

VOTEC holds Fashion Show

12 Aug, 2024 By DIS

Final-year students from the Department of Vocational and Technical Education (VOTEC) have exhibited exclusive designs at the annual fashion show.

With the latest hairstyles, the student models put on evening, corporate, casual and traditional clothing to showcase their creativity on the runway, leaving fashion enthusiasts in awe of their talent and craftsmanship.

The night, which also offered patrons the unique opportunity to appreciate the works of the student fashion designers, was interspersed with music.

One of the students in her wedding gown design

According to the organisers of the fashion show, the government should invest more in Technical and Vocational Training Education (TVET). That, according to them, would no doubt endow students with the entrepreneurial skills needed to start one’s own business.

They debunked the popular misconception that the concept of TVET was meant for school dropouts or the unintelligent.

The final-year students promised to put the skills learned to good use after school.

One of the student models

The Head of the Department of VOTEC, Dr. (Mrs.) Patience Danquah Monnie said the mandate of the University would be fulfilled when students were able to set up their businesses with the entrepreneurial skills they had acquired.

She called on Ghanaians to patronise made-in-Ghana products to increase the demand for local clothes saying, “Ours should be our priorities, we should place more value on our local products.”

An evening gown being modelled by a student designer

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

 

Counselling Centre graduates 30 Certified Student Counsellors

12 Aug, 2024 By DIS

Thirty (30) students who undertook a one-year training programme in counselling to become Para-Counsellors have successfully passed out.

The programme, Young and Wise, which began in 2004, was designed to equip  students with the tools and knowledge to counsel their peers on campus.

The 12-month free training programme, organised by the Counselling Centre of the Faculty of Educational Foundations of the University of Cape Coast, covered topics including depression, anxiety disorders, CV writing, sexually transmitted infections and human temperament.

The other areas covered were skills of communication, dating and date rape, and homosexuality, among others.

These topics were tailored to ensure that the graduates used their newly acquired skills and expertise to play useful roles in society.

The students, who are not professional counsellors but first aiders in counselling services, were given certificates as a form of recognition.

The Director of the Counselling Centre, Dr. Rita Holm Adzovie, in her address, commended the graduates for endeavouring to take the course to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge as front liners to offer help to their peers in crisis.

Director of the Counselling Centre, Dr. Rita Holm Adzovie, presenting a certificate of honour to a graduate

Consequently, she continued, "As lay practitioners, you are expected to support your colleagues in particular and by extension Ghanaians to deal with emotional strain. This is a very sacred duty whose performance should not be motivated by a search for financial gain. Emotionally troubled people are unproductive and a drain on the economy."

She charged the graduates to create more awareness of the programme.

“You have to be good news bearers and inform others about the knowledge and skills you have acquired during the training”, said Dr. Adzovie

For his part, the Coordinator of the programme, Dr. Eugene Kwarteng-Nantwi, admonished the fresh graduates to eschew all forms of unethical lifestyles and rather be hardworking and disciplined.

Coordinator of the Young and Wise programme, Dr. Eugene Kwarteng-Nantwi, presenting a certificate of honour to a graduate

He advised the fresh graduates to always put what they have learnt during their intensive study at the Centre into practice, urging them to be humble and respectful.

He used the occasion to appeal to heads of educational institutions to intensify counselling sessions for students.

According to him, counselling plays a vital role in the development of students serving as a tool to manage mental health issues such as anxiety, and depression, and empowering people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

A lecturer at the Centre, Dr. Gloria Ambrose-Owusu, speaking at the ceremony, lauded the students for enduring the challenge to go through the course, saying “Despite all the difficulties the battle has come to an end.” 

She, therefore, tasked them to “Go out and turn things round by proving yourself as worthy ambassadors of the Counselling Centre.” 

On behalf of her colleagues, one of the graduates, Ruth Osei, expressed appreciation for the training and said they would use the knowledge acquired to the benefit of society.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Prof. Jerry Paul Ninnoni appointed Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery

12 Aug, 2024 By DIS

An Associate Professor of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Prof. Jerry Paul Kukye-Ayiri Ninnoni, has been appointed as the new Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoNM) of the University of Cape Coast.

He replaces Prof. (Mrs) Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan, the immediate past Dean of the School.

Prof Ninnoni, before the current appointment which takes immediate effect, had served as the Head of the Department of Mental Health.

In his acceptance speech at a brief handover ceremony, Prof. Ninnoni pledged to discharge his duties to serve the School diligently and with dedication, adding that his doors would always be open.

He expressed commitment to continue the work of his predecessor and solicited the support of the staff of the School to ensure a successful three-year tenure.

Prof. Ninnoni (left) receiving handover notes from the immediate past Dean of the SoNM, Prof. Ebu Enyan

For her part, Prof. Ebu Enyan, who is now the Head of the Department for Public Health, congratulated Prof. Jerry Paul Ninnoni on his appointment.

With her experience and leadership acumen demonstrated during her tenure as Dean, she assured her successor of the necessary support required to fulfill his duties effectively.

Expressing gratitude for the support received from staff during her tenure, Prof. Ebu Enyan urged staff members to extend similar support to Prof Ninnoni for the forward march of the School.

Also at the event, Dr. Andrew Adjei Druye handed over the mantle of leadership as Vice-Dean to Dr.  Patience Fakornam Doe, who will serve a two-year tenure.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

L300 Students of Dept. of Forensic Sciences engage in Mock Crime Scene Investigation

08 Aug, 2024 By DIS

As part of an annual practical curriculum assessment in the course, FSC 316A: Crime Scene Investigation, the Department of Forensic Sciences has conducted a mock crime scene exercise for the students in Level 300.

 This activity was aimed at providing hands-on experiences in forensic techniques, as well as crime scene processing and management skills. 

 Scenario Setup

Two crime scenes were simulated in a cordoned off area behind the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Coast. 

The students at the crime scene

The first scenario depicted a suspected sexual assault case in a yard with realistic props and the second was an arson-related scenario. 

The prime objective was for the students to recognise, identify evidence, document the scene and apply forensic analytic methods. 

 These annual mock crime scene investigations provided the students with indispensable practical experiences and opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing their skills in evidence collection, forensic analysis, critical thinking, and deductive reasoning. The activity emphasizes the importance of conscientious attention to detail and the interdisciplinary nature of forensic science.

Student presenting evidence to a judge in the moot court

Results from the processing of the crime scene were used in another related course; FSC 308: Expert Witness Testimony where the students analysed evidence on the simulated cases and their opinions on the matter presented at a moot court, where the students argued their cases in front of a judge.

The lecturers and coordinators of the courses assessed the students on the practical components of the courses.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

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