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Don't lose hope in Africa, you've opportunity to re-unite Africa – H E Arikana Chihombori-Quao to African Youth

22 Aug, 2024 By DIS

H.E Ambassador Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, MD FAAFP, has urged African youth not to lose hope in the continent as they have the opportunity to recreate and rebuild Africa to where it once was when it ruled the world. 

To that end, she rallied young Africans against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, what she describes as the three axis of evil for Africa.

For her, the older generation of Africans had failed woefully to defend Africa to break out from its shackles of poverty and underdevelopment, and asked young Africans to unconditionally pardon her generation.

"We have failed you as your elders. We are leaving you an Africa that is not where it should be and for that, we apologize for failing to defend Africa as we should. But all is not lost. You have our commitment; you have our support. We have no choice but to fight till we die and this time, we are going to fight with knowledge”, she said.

The Ambassador was speaking at the 14th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture on the theme: " Imperialism, Colonialism, and Neo-Colonialism - The Three Axis of Evil for Africa."

Dr. Chihombori-Quao addressing participants in the 14th Kwame Nkrumah lectures

Dr. Chihombori-Quao, whose address was received with applause, also pointed out that the battle for true liberation must go on. For that to happen, she said Africans, especially the youth must be empowered with knowledge, facts and the truth.  

She reiterated that no one should ever tell African youth that they were not good enough. 

"No one should let you feel inferior because you are the mothers and fathers of humanity. It is a fact that without the black man and woman, there would be no life and humanity", she added.

She stated that the whites also realised that the gene for blackness was the only dominant gene, a finding that scared them the most.  

“So, their fear of a black man and woman is real which proves that we are indestructible. Once we know all these facts, we shall never feel inferior.  We should be standing tall and proclaiming to the world who we are; the proud, beautiful, intelligent, sophisticated, highly adaptable and above all, totally indestructible”, the ambassador stated.

H.E Ambassador Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao (middle) in a group photo with the Chancellor, Dr. Sam Jonah (2nd from left); VC Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong (2nd from right) and the Pro VC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene (1st right) before the lecture

Ambassador Chihombori-Quao expressed the need for Africans to understand the root cause of Africa’s ailment, which would put the continent in a better position to strategize and push back against the Western and now the Eastern worlds which had systematically strategized to keep Africa in a position that leaves it prone to further exploitation.

"The question is, what happened to this beautiful, once vibrant African tree of life? We have to get back to the time when we were invaded by the West. They came and found an amazing continent and took away whatever they could. They wondered about how on earth they could conquer such a people. So, they decided to put in place certain fundamental root causes of African destruction”, she said.

According to Dr. Chihombori-Quao, “They were the same people who set up the stage on how to destroy us systematically."

To address the root of Africa's problems, she took a swipe at the activities of multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, IMF, and the World Trade Organisation for making little impact in bringing about the radical development that the continent needs.

Touching on the mindset, the Ambassador disclosed that the colonialists defeated Africans with their minds, adding that Africans should remember that the battle for them to gain economic liberation starts with the mind. 

She, therefore, advocated for the reunification of Africa to stamp out the root problems of Africa.

A section of students at the lecture

The lecture series was chaired by the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Dr. (Sir) Sam Esson Jonah and was also graced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong; Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene and the acting Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Aggrey. Others included members of the University’s Management, Nananom, and students of some invited senior high schools, among several others.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

Philanthropists reward seven student volunteers

22 Aug, 2024 By DIS

Seven student volunteers who act as sighted guides to help persons with visual impairments find their way around campus have been rewarded for their volunteering services.

For their humanitarian gesture, the volunteers, aptly described by the visually impaired students as their lifesavers when going out for lectures on campus, were each presented with undisclosed cash by two philanthropists.

The kind gesture by the two well-meaning individuals - Mr. Isaac Nortey and Miss. Grace Asiam - was to inspire other students to act as volunteers to assist visually impaired students similarly. 

Donating, Mr. Isaac Nortey, who is a staff member at the Sam Jonah Library at UCC, explained that he had been seeing sighted students assisting virtually impaired students on campus. As a result, he discussed the idea of supporting the volunteers with his friend, Grace Asam, who welcomed the idea.

Mr. Nortey noted that the attitude of the students to willingly offer free services to their colleagues living with visual impairment was worthy of commendation.

Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Educational Foundations, Prof. Lebbaeus Asamani presenting an amount of money to one of the volunteers. Looking on is Mr. Isaac Nortey one of the donors

The Centre for Alternative Media and Assistive Technology Coordinator, Prof. Irene Vanderpuye expressed her appreciation to the benefactors for the support.

She said several people had glossed over the assistance some sighted students offer to visually impaired persons on campus and hailed the donors for drawing their attention.

Prof. Vanderpuye said celebrating and honouring the volunteers were essential, since they dedicated their skills, time and efforts to serving humanity, adding, "We say thank you to all volunteers for your selfless efforts."

The Coordinator challenged students to cultivate the habit of volunteerism which she said was a tool for accelerated national development.

On his part, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Educational Foundations, Prof. Lebbaeus Asamani, commended the volunteers for their kindness despite their busy academic schedules and was full of gratitude to the philanthropists.

He said the recognition of the efforts of the volunteers would motivate and drive other students to willingly help their colleagues with special needs in the University.

Prof. Asamani urged the youth to embrace volunteerism as a way of contributing to national development. 

At the event, each of the visually impaired students took turns to express gratitude to Mr. Isaac Nortey and Miss. Grace Asiam, who was unable to attend the donation, for their exemplary gesture.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC

 

  

UCC Wildcats wins Silver medal at Afro University Basketball Challenge

21 Aug, 2024 By DIS

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) Basketball team, the Wildcats won silver medal at the 6th edition of the 2024 Afro University 3x3 Basketball University Championship in Kampala, Uganda.

The UCC Wildcats who were defending champions lost in the finals on 16-18 aggerate to Ugandan Christian University (UCU).

However, they had secured a spot to represent Africa at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) 3×3 University World Cup to be staged in Xiamen, China, this November.

Frederick Asante, Henry Xorlali, Francis Darke, and Emmanuel Essel, who made up the team secured victories over American University in Cairo (20-11), East Africa University, Rwanda (21-8), Victoria University (21-14), and University Abuja (21-11) all on day one of the competition.

UCC Wildcat Players: from L-R: Kabu Dake,  Henry Horlali, Frederick Asante (captain) and Emmanuel Essel.

The following day, they defeated Makerere University (21-4), Kisii University, Kenya (21-12), United States International University-Africa (17-13), and University of Ibadan (21-16).

In an interview with the media at the Kotoka International Airport, Dr. Eric Opoku Antwi, Coach of the team expressed satisfaction with the performance of the team.

He said, "last year, we lost two of our key players and introduced two new ones who performed excellently".

"We faced some formidable teams and managed to beat them all until the final.

"We would review our performance, learn from it, and aim to bring home the trophy next time".

Asante, who is the captain of the team said this year event was challenging but they managed to reach the finals.

"It wasn't an easy journey to the final because as a defending champion every team we met wanted to beat us.

"However, we prepared well and did not disappoint despite losing the final, but we thank God for everything," he noted

 

Mr. Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye (Esq)

Current Registrar, University of Cape Coast

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Dr. Thomas Hormenu donates Photocopier machine to Department of HPER

19 Aug, 2024 By DIS

A Cardiometabolic Health Epidemiologist, Health Promotion and Physical Education expert, Dr. Thomas Hormenu, has donated a photocopier machine to the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER).

The multi-functional sharp photocopier machine, which performs photocopying, scanning and printing, would enhance the operational efficiency of the department.

Making the donation, Dr. Thomas Hormenu, the newly-appointed head of the Department of HPER, noted that he had the opportunity to pursue his post-doctoral training in 2019 in the US.

“Whilst in the US, I won a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Africa Academy of Sciences to establish a Cardiometabolic Epidemiology Research Laboratory to conduct cardiometabolic research in Ghana”, he said.

Dr. Hormenu continued, “As a result, I included in the grant the purchase of a high-powered photocopier machine for the Department of HPER to improve teaching and learning.”

Dr. Thomas Hormenu, Head of the Department of HPER presenting the photocopier machine to Dr. Kodwo Owusu and Dr. Mary Aku Ogum both lecturers at the department

Hebelieved that the equipment would be used for the purpose for which it was donated and pleaded with staff to take care of the machine to extend its lifespan.

Dr. Thomas Hormenu used the chance to praise Dr. Edward Wilson Ansah, the immediate past head of the department, for his good work.

Gratitude

For his part, a lecturer at the Department of HPER, Dr. Kodwo Owusu, who received the donation, commended the donor for the gesture and challenged other faculty members to emulate it.

He assured Dr. Hormenu that the department would take proper care of the equipment and use it for the benefit of both staff and students. 

"We want to assure you that we will maintain it. We will keep the machine properly and use it for the growth of the department", Dr. Owusu added.

Present at the short ceremony was a Senior Lecturer with the department, Dr. Mary Aku Ogum, as well as some administrative staff members.

Source: Documentation and Information Section - UCC

 

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

 

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