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Audience at the programme

Let’s Make Ghanaian Languages a Priority-Prof. Ameka

02 Mar, 2020 By louis Mensah

Prof. Felix Kofi Ameka of the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics, the Netherlands has called for a concerted effort to make all languages spoken in Ghana matter in our social lives.
“Let us all pledge individually and collectively to contributing to making all languages used in Ghana matter in our social lives”. 
    
Talking on Linguistic Diversity in Ghana Prof. Ameka said ‘Ghanaian English’ is Ghanaian due to the fact that native English speakers have difficulty in understanding us if we speak English to them. Citing an example, he said if a Ghanaian told an Englishman or woman “this afternoon my eyes are red for the languages, if I say this to a British, he or she is not going to understand me”. “So ‘Ghanaian English’ has become so Ghanaian, so let us not throw the baby with the bathwater”.  He asked that we found out what we could do with English considering the linguistic ecology of this country.

The Eminent Professor of Descriptive and Documentary Linguistics was delivering a public lecture to mark this year’s International Mother Language Day organised by the Department of Ghanaian Languages. and Linguistics.  The theme for the day was “Languages without borders”.  
Prof. Felix Ameka is a socio-cultural cognitive linguistics scholar primarily interested in language use in social interaction. He is also concerned with questions on how cultural factors and cognitive processes as well as contact shape meanings and structures in languages and how these meanings are negotiated in everyday communication. His research interests are the quest for the meanings of linguistic signs and exploring their use in social interaction and how and why languages vary and change over time.

Neglect of Some Languages 


Prof. Ameka who has a specialisation in West African languages, mainly Kwa languages said some languages from the West African sub-region had become part of the Ghanaian linguistic ecology, however, they were ignored in most of the policies. A good example according to him was Hausa, one of the most spoken West African language, "that is used on GTV, but it is not one of the languages that are approved for education, describing it as an “anomaly”. This is because Hausa is a big language spoken by at least 25 million people in the sub-region. He said, “it is a cross-border language and if we are to promote understanding of each other if we are to push for everybody to speak Hausa in Ghana it would be very good”. 

“At least we are happy to say let us take Chinese because they could pay for their Chinese or to say let us bring in French in primary schools because we are happy to say we have the resources from France, still we claim Ghana beyond aid”.“We cannot run away from means of communication that develop as we interact, it’s about language use”.

Promoting Ghanaian Languages in Schools

Prof. Ameka said it was imperative to introduce Ghanaian languages in schools, irrespective of the argument or excuse about lack of resources, however, people talk about French.  He added that “language policy is not about government but the family”. The linguistics expert lamented that since the 1950s, there has been a fluctuating language policy in the country saying we have made language a “scapegoat” and called for the promotion of local languages especially cross border ones to help integrate us as a people.


He said some languages in Ghana faced imminent extinction if efforts were not made to maintain them. He said the problems with our language policies is that as a people we think monolingually and not multilingually. “If we do not speak our languages, what it means is that, when the old people go, the languages disappear, they fade away”. 

Prof. Ameka cited the case of 2003 research findings of the Mpra language where only two elderly persons could speak it, again, six persons of over 80 years at Dompofie fie could speak the original language there out of a total of 650. Another example he mentioned was that of Animere language in the Oti Region where only 18 persons also of 80 years or more could speak the language. He explained that the people here have contact with Ewe or Twi speaking people and for that matter, the language has been lost. He said, “if children are not speaking it now it a sure way for the graveyard”.

Maintaining Local Languages

To maintain our local languages, Prof. Ameka advised that children should be socialised at home, school and in all aspects of our social lives including governance. Prof. Ameka proposed that people seeking jobs, for example, should be asked whether they spoke one or two Ghanaian languages apart from English before they were given employment. “Would it not be a good idea to ask people seeking jobs about their ability to speak not only English but more one or two, and tell them that before you get the job, you must speak another Ghanaian language”, he said.
Continuing, he said, there was the need to also create value for our languages by making them important and recognized. This, he said could not be done if it did not allow or want people to speak Ghanaian languages in their home but English. He conceded that it was fine to speak English but stressed that people should also speak Ghanaian languages in their daily activities and schools.
Explaining further, Prof. Ameka said the reason why people want to learn and communicate in English was that it gave them access to socio-economic life. 

The Chairman for the function, Prof. Domwini Dabire Kuupole, called for the promotion of local languages in communities since some universities in Europe have introduced African languages and had recruited people from the continent to teach those courses. “When the languages become extinct, it connotes the death of the people and their culture,” he stated.

Celebration of International Mother Language Day

In his welcome address, the Head of Department of Ghanaian Languages and Linguistics, Dr. Emmanuel Amo Ofori, explained that the International Mother Language Day was a worldwide annual celebration, which was observed on 21st February, with the aim of promoting awareness of linguistics and cultural diversity and promoting multilingualism. He said the day was first announced by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on November 17, 1999, and was formally recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in a resolution establishing 2008 as the International Mother Language Day.

Dr. Ofori recounted that the Department started observing International Mother Language Day four years ago and a number of speakers both within and outside UCC had been invited to speak on these occasions.  Dr. Ofori noted that while the University community joined the international community to commemorate the auspicious day, as a department, they were particularly passionate about this year’s theme because “it reflects one of our core values as a department, that is Diversity”. He added that “When we remove “all borders”, we can celebrate/ appreciate our unity in diversity”. 


 

02 Mar, 2020

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND LEGAL STUDIES

SCHOOL FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

PARTICIPATION OF GHANAIAN STUDENTS IN CANADIAN STUDY PROGRAM

Trent University Canada, in association with the School for Development Studies (SDS), University of Cape Coast is organizing an eight-month Development Studies program that begins in September 2020.

The program involves lecture sessions at UCC and field studies around Ghana.  A limited number of spaces has been reserved for interested Ghanaian students who must commit to completing our program for its full duration. Those selected will be given a full scholarship, will gain practical experience with local NGOs and upon completion will receive a Post- Graduate Diploma in Community Development.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A first degree with a second-class upper division or better, in Development Studies or a related field
  • Desire for a cross-cultural experience
  • Knowledge of current events, both in Ghana and the world
  • Excellent command of the English language, oral and written
  • Completion of National Service Year by August 2020

Interested applicants should send a self-written letter of introduction, a copy of their first-degree certificate, resumé (including names and addresses of 2 referees), and contact email and phone number(s) only to:

Email: tig.ucc.gh2015@gmail.com

Application deadline is April 14th, 2020.

Interviews will take place at the SDS, University of Cape Coast.

Female applicants, in particular, are encouraged to apply. Please note also that this is not a masters degree but rather a unique experience in cross-cultural and development studies.

Due to the large number of applicants only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

02 Mar, 2020

The University of Cape Coast invites applications from experienced, results-oriented and highly motivated individuals for the position of Director, Directorate of Public Affairs.

Key Responsibilities

The Directorate of Public Affairs is responsible for building and maintaining the University’s corporate image and relationship with key publics, as well as managing events and communication with the University’s stakeholders.

Specific requirements:

The applicants must:

  • Have two-Year Post-graduate degree in Public Relations/Affairs, Communication or Journalism with relevant professional or public relations experience.
  • Be an accredited member of a recognized relevant professional body.
  • Have at least 8 years of post-qualification senior level experience as practitioner and possess considerable strategic, interpersonal and collegial skills, and be able to function within the Higher Education Sector.
  • Have high-level analytical skills, business sense as well as a deep understanding and appreciation of the strategic and operational issues and challenges in top-level University management and administration. 
  • Have served or must be serving as Deputy Registrar/Deputy Director or analogous grade in a university or analogous institution.

Specific Roles

The Director shall head the Directorate of Public Affairs and shall be responsible to the Registrar  for University protocol, organising official University events, documenting University history, culture and symbols as well as oversight of the University’s Campus Broad Casting Services. 

He/she will be the central spokesperson for the University and shall plan and implement the strategic and operational aspects of the Public Relations and Corporate Affairs of the University.

Tenure of Office

The position, which is full time, is for a four-year term, renewable upon application for a second term only.

Mode of Application & Closing Date

1. Interested applicants who meet the above criteria should please submit completed application forms obtainable from the Directorate of Human Resource (Senior Members Section) or here together with curriculum vitae, a Vision Statement and other relevant supporting documents to:

The Registrar

University of Cape Coast

Cape Coast

2. Applicants should request three (3) referees to submit written reports on them directly to the above address

3. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 31st March, 2020.   

 

REGISTRAR

Participants of the workshop with the facilitators

UCC Trains Principal Officers of Affiliated Colleges of Education

27 Feb, 2020 By louis Mensah

As part of efforts to strengthen the Colleges of Education affiliated to the University, the Institute of Education has organised a workshop for key officers of the Colleges on the Conduct of Academic Board Meetings. 
    
Opening the workshop which was attended by Principals, Vice-Principals, Secretaries, and Heads of Department of the 16 Colleges, the Director of Institute of Education, Prof. Christine Adu-Yeboah, noted that the workshop was aimed at empowering the Colleges to internally take decisions to improve academic work. She noted that the University was committed to strengthening the structures of the Colleges to meet the standards of tertiary institutions. “We will work together to make this collaboration work so that we can all share best practices to meet global standards,” she assured.

Prof. Adu-Yeboah said the relationship between UCC and its affiliate Colleges had assumed another dimension so there was the need to work hard to promote academic excellence. “The Colleges should be able to strengthen its own quality assurance systems to meet standards of the National Accreditation Board and the National Council for Tertiary Education,” he stated.

The Director of the Institute of Education noted that as a requirement, the Colleges of Education were expected to hold meetings to consider the results of students.  She noted that after doing needs analysis of the Colleges of Education, the Institute of Education observed that there were a number of programmes to be done for them. “A number of staff members have to be trained to achieve the functions of the new academic board in the various Colleges,” she said. 

Making a presentation, the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame, noted that the business of Universities was handled by committee systems. He boards or committees in a tertiary institution were responsible for making investigations or inquiry, advice, and regulations. 

Touching of the powers and functions of the Academic Board as stated in the Colleges of Education Act 847, Mr. Onyame indicated that the Board was to formulate and carry out the academic policy of the College and regulate and approve programmes of instruction and examinations in the College. He said the Board had the powers to regulate the admission of students and conduct of the examination. In addition, the Board was responsible for promoting quality assurance in teaching, research and community service. Other functions of the Board include approving appointments of internal and external examiners; review decisions of any of statutory committees among others.

Mr. Onyame noted that per the Act establishing the Colleges of Education, the Academic Board was made up of the Principal, Vice-Principal, College Librarian, Heads of Department, Head of Students’ Affairs, as well as a coopted person who is a non-voting member and the College Secretary.

The Director of Academic Affairs said the meeting of the Academic Board as prescribed by the statute or internal schedule. He said regular meetings of the Academic Board were convened by the Principal at least two times in a semester. “In case there is an emergency meeting, members should be notified at least 48 hours. One-third of the members can also call for a meeting if they give cogent reasons.

The Director of the Institute of Education later took the participants through processing examination questions, conduct of examinations and approval of results. 


 

The Vice-Chancellor inspecting facilities at the NSBT

UCC to Make Nduom School of Business and Technology a Satellite Campus in the 2020/2021 Academic Year

27 Feb, 2020 By louis Mensah

The University of Cape Coast is exploring the possibility of establishing a campus at the Nduom School of Business and Technology as part of measures to admit more students for the 2020/2021 academic year.

This is in anticipation of the large number of applicants who will be seeking admission as a result of the free Senior High School policy. The first batch of the policy will complete their studies in 2020 and, therefore, there is the need to increase enrolment in the 2020/2021 academic year.

The Delegation

In view of this, a delegation from the University led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah visited Nduom School of Business and Technology to assess facilities and also interact with management of the School. The delegation from UCC comprised the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan; Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame; Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Kwabena Antwi-Konadu. Others were Ms. Joyce Sam of the Directorate of  Internal Audit, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong of the Directorate of Finance and the Assistant Registrar, Institutional Affiliation Office, Mr. Justice K. G. A. Boateng.

Challenges with Admission

In his opening remark, Prof. Ampiah said the University over the years had not been able to admit all qualified applicants to the regular stream due to limited lecture and accommodation facilities on campus. He said the first batch of the free SHS students would be completing their studies this year hence there was the need to strategise in order to admit more qualified applicants.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that the visit was to inspect facilities and also set in motion processes to make NSBT a campus of UCC. He said a team from both UCC and NSBT would be formed to bring out modalities for the idea.

Collaboration

Responding, the Rector of NSBT, Rev. Prof. Daniel Adjepong Nyarko was grateful to UCC for the visit and indicated that the decision to make NSBT was commendable and would strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions. He noted that Management of NSBT presented a proposal to UCC in 2019 concerning this issue; however, the response was not positive. He was, therefore, grateful to the Vice-Chancellor and his team for revisiting the proposal and even taking steps to implement it in the 2020/2021 academic year.

The delegation later inspected some facilities at NSBT, including lecture halls, Information Communication and Technology laboratories, library, cafeteria, kitchen, commercial areas, halls of residence among others.
 

Project Work

Course Code: 
EGC 499
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Guidance and Counselling

Career Choice and Development Theories

Course Code: 
EGC 424
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Guidance and Counselling

Organisation and Administration of Guidance Services

Course Code: 
EGC 422
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Guidance and Counselling

Contemporary Adolescent Issues in Counselling

Course Code: 
EGC 426
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 400
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Guidance and Counselling

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