The Office of the Dean of Students has organised a workshop for newly elected leaders

 of the Students Representative Council (SRC-UCC), Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG-UCC), and the Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC-UCC) of the various Halls of Residence.

Mr. Samuel Kwame Anyan, a Senior Internal Auditor of the Directorate of Internal Audit, educated the student leaders on Public Financial Management, Budgeting, and Asset Management. He explained that public officials had a responsibility towards citizens when they use the finances in the public coffers. They must act in the best interests of the people that they represent. He said, “Once you are leading a group and in charge of the finances, you are expected to follow certain rules, certain guidelines, and you are accountable for the finances put in your care. As leaders, you are expected to be accountable and transparent”.

Various resource persons presented on topics needed for student leadership positions. The College Registrar of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Mr. Ebenezer Aggrey, educated the leaders on time management. Prof. Koawo Edjah, educated them on student governance and collective accountability issues. The Ag. Deputy Director of Finance, Mr. George Amfo-Antiri, enlightened the student leaders on financial record preparation and management. Mr. Nicholas Ampofo, Head of the Procurement Section, further educated the leaders on preparing a procurement plan, and the procurement process for contracts. 

The Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD-UCC), has held a workshop for stakeholders of the University on the theme, “Sexual Harassment Stakeholders’ Awareness Creation and Reporting Structures”.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, shed light on University Management’s commitment to ensure better eradication of sexual harassment in the University community.  He said, “As Management, we acknowledge the need to create a non-threatening academic environment for effective teaching and learning. Based on this, the Management of the University has put in place measures to control and eradicate all sorts of discriminatory and sexual harassment experiences in the University.”

He indicated that as part of efforts to create a conducive and non-threatening academic environment, the University established CEGRAD in 2013. The Sexual Harassment Committee was also formed, and a Sexual Harassment Policy was formulated to further strengthen the University’s non-discriminatory values on campus. He noted that the Sexual Harassment Policy charges the Sexual Harassment Committee to make recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor for further action on investigated cases.

Prof. Boampong gave the assurance that any sexual harassment case put before University Management would be prudently dealt with. “I want to assure you once again of Management's support for CEGRAD’s advocacy, research, and work. Be assured that any individual regardless of status, that harasses another person will face the full consequences of the law,” he said. He promised that the University would continue to support CEGRAD and the Sexual Harassment Committee, to ensure that no one is victimized for reporting sexual harassment cases.

The Director of CEGRAD-UCC, Dr. Georgina Yaa Oduro, indicated that the workshop created an opportunity to discuss the issue of sexual harassment on campus and the strategies the University is adopting to address the issues. 

The Sexual Harassment Committee Chairperson, Mr. Swanzy Essien (Esq), addressed the issue of sexual harassment as an enemy to progress, human development, and a source of discomfort, and admonished all stakeholders to play their roles in making the University of Cape Coast sexual harassment-free.                                                                                                             

Present at the workshop was the Director of University Health Services, Dr. Evans Ekenam, Director of Guidance and Counseling Centre, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Nkyi, Superintendent Appiah Sekyi, UCC Police Unit, Members of the UCC Sexual Harassment Committee, Representatives from Staff Associations, Hall Wardens, and Student Leaders from GRASAG and SRC.

The IEPA Governing Board was inaugurated on 13th April 2021, in line with Statute 68 of the University of Cape Coast Governing Act of 1992 which establishes IEPA as a UNESCO Category II Centre in Ghana and for the West African sub-region.

The meeting which was organized in a blended format due to COVID-19 protocols, saw members within the UCC community come together physically whilst the other Members join via Zoom.

In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, who is the Chairman of the IEPA Governing Board, Prof. J. N. Boampong, congratulated the Board Members on their nominations and reminded them that the mandate of the Board extends to the West-African sub-region.  He remarked that, “as Board Members, your unique backgrounds, experiences, expertise and competencies in supporting IEPA to promote equitable and quality education in Ghana and the sub-region is very relevant and timely.” He further implored that “It is my prayer and hope that you will bring these experiences to bear in transforming this Institute to become one of the best in Africa and in the world.”

As a UNESCO Category II Institute, IEPA has the mandate to, among other things, undertake collaborative research in educational planning, administration and leadership; lead the training and facilitation of continuous professional development in contemporary educational issues and improve the competencies of educational planners, administrators and leaders in the West African sub-region. The Governing Board is therefore to perform the following functions  to ensure that the objectives of IEPA are achieved: decide on the participation of regional inter-governmental organisations and international organisations in the work of the Institute; approve programmes, the annual work plan and corresponding budget including the staffing table of the Institute; examine the annual reports submitted by the Director-General including biennial self-assessment reports of the Institute’s contribution to UNESCO’s programme objectives; examine the periodic independent audit reports of the financial statements and monitor the provision of such accounting records necessary for the preparation of financial statements; recommend academic programmes to the Academic Board of UCC for approval and provide supervisory direction to the Institute in the appointment of its principal officers.

The IEPA Board Members are people with varying backgrounds and expertise in the education sector. They are: Mr. Koffi Segniagbeto - representative of the UNESCO Secretary General; Mrs. Ama Nerquaye-Tetteh – representative of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO ( Ghana NATCOM); Dr. Ahmed Jinapor – representative of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC); Dr. Kwabena B. Tandoh -representative of the Ghana Education Service (GES); Mr. Benjamin K. Gyasi -representative of the Ministry of Education (MoE); Professor Ernest K. Davis (Provost, College of Education) and Prof. (Mrs) Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah (Deputy Director, DRIC) - representatives of the University of Cape Coast; and Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom -Director-General of IEPA. The Secretary to the Board is Dr. Paul Kwadwo Addo, the Deputy Director-General of IEPA (Administration and General Services).

Notably, the Board will also include UNESCO Member States in West Africa who will express interest in partnering IEPA as indicated in the UNESCO agreement with the Republic of Ghana.

Aside these members, the Deputy Director-General of IEPA (Academic & Professional Development), Dr. Alfred Ampah-Mensah and the Head of Finance - Mrs. Philomena Sam will be in attendance. Also, in attendance for this maiden meeting were the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UCC - Prof. Dora F. Edu-Buandoh, and the Chairman of the Transitional Committee - Prof. John Mensah.

Mr. Solomon Faakye (Esq), the Legal Counsel for UCC, sworn the Board Members present (physical and online) into office supported by Madam Anastasia Asante (Esq) of the same office. Each Board Member took the Oath of Office and Secrecy, pledging commitment to discharge their Board functions to the best of their abilities.

On progress made so far by IEPA, the Director- General, Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, presented a report on the achievement made since the new administration took office at IEPA. He expressed that, “IEPA have had strategic engagements with over a dozen international key partners in education with whom we shall continue to work assiduously to ensure excellence in educational planning, leadership, administration and research especially for Ghana, Africa and the entire World.”

In a congratulatory message to the Board, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Dora F. Edu-Buandoh, extended appreciation from the management of UCC to the Board Members for accepting to support the IEPA with their rich experiences and provide the necessary policy direction. She expressed the appreciation of the University to all who contributed to make the upgrade of IEPA into a UNESCO Category II Institute possible. She singled out the following personalities for their commitment on the upgrade of IEPA: The former Minister of Education - Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh; the former Vice-Chancellor of UCC - Prof. Ampiah-Ghatey; the former Director of IEPA - Prof. (Bro.) Michael Amakyi and the Chairman of the Transitional Committee - Prof. John Mensah.  Prof. Buandoh urged IEPA to continue to exemplify excellence.

Instrumentally, the new IEPA UNESCO Category II Centre of Excellence for West Africa’s operation will result in member states harnessing research and innovation to boost development and build related capacities, preparing policy briefs emanating from research on topical issues of educational equity and efficiency, and networking for collaborative work on the priority areas of UNESCO.

Ghana, through IEPA, is committed to implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 which seeks to to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”