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Prof. Kojo Yankah with the delegation from RUFORUM Secretariat

Delegation from RUFORUM Secretariat Interacts with Minister of State in-charge of Tertiary Education

02 Dec, 2019 By louis Mensah

A delegation from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Secretariat in Uganda led by the Executive Secretary, Professor Adipala Ekwamu, has paid a courtesy call to the Minister of State in-charge of Education, Prof. Kojo Yankah.      The visit was to formally brief the Minister about the upcoming Annual General Meeting(AGM) of RUFORUM to be held at the University of Cape Coast from 2nd to 6th December. 

Appreciation to Government of Ghana

Prof. Ekwamu thanked the Government of Ghana for the support and willingness to be part of the AGM. He informed the Minister that RUFORUM was a consortium of 114 African universities operating within 38 countries spanning the African continent. He noted that the Secretariat was hosted by Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.

Prof. Ekwamu explained that the organisation’s mandate was to oversee graduate training and networks of specialisation in the countries and universities where it works. “We strongly believe in fostering innovative and responsive research; high performing and proactive graduates; a dynamic platform for university networking; advocacy for agricultural higher education; and university transformation for relevance” he noted. He indicated that it was important to promote and strengthen South-South cooperation to enable African Universities mobilise resources and expertise to transform Higher Education on the continent.

AGM 

Touching on the AGM, the Executive Secretary explained that it was a gathering of universities, stakeholders and partners to share lessons and best practices to strengthen the Higher Education landscape in Africa. He noted that the AGM which was the first to be held in West Africa coincides with RUFORUM’s 15th anniversary and therefore, it served as an opportunity to consolidate the network’s achievements, reflect and learn from activities of the past and work towards its 2030 vision.

The Executive Secretary of RUFORUM mentioned several activities to be held as part of the AGM in Ghana some of which include a public dialogue by renowned Pan Africanist and legal practitioner, Prof. PLO Lumumba, official opening by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, recognition of young scientists, special sessions for Vice-Chancellors , Principals, Deans and Women Vice-Chancellors.

Others are Scientific Data Management Training for PhD students and Emerging Scientists, Proposal Development, Scientific Writing and Presentation Training for Master Students, Technocrats Round Dialogue among others.

RUFORUM is one of Africa's Success Stories

Responding to Prof. Yankah expressed appreciation to the team for the visit and indicated that RUFORUM was one of the success stories for Africans. He commended the network for the commitment to transform higher education on the continent, “I am particularly happy that you are not only focusing on Agriculture but also brining other disciplines on board for holistic development of higher education in Africa,” he noted.

Prof. Yankah noted that the Government of Ghana was proud to be associated with the AGM and indicated that “In spite of constraints in the economies of African countries, they are ready to provide financial and logistical support for such laudable initiatives that have far-reaching impact in developing human capacity, technology, and innovation”. 

South-South Collaboration

The Minister reiterated the call for South-South collaborations among universities on the continent to support economic growth, ensure food security and the provision of basic needs of all Africans. Prof. Yankah was happy that Centres of Excellence had been created in some universities across the African continent. “With the establishment of the African Centres of Excellence, I am confident there is hope that our future generation will change the narrative and provide avenues of better standards of living to Africans,” he noted.

Capacity Building for University Administrators

One important aspect of Higher Education he called on the AGM to consider was capacity building for University Administrators which according to him has been neglected for quite a long time. “Our administrators play equally important roles however, our concentration has always been on the academics. We need to build their capacities and expose them to best practices in University Administration so that they can complement the work we do” he implored.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee(LOC), Prof. Livingstone K. Sam-Amoah, expressed gratitude to the government for its tremendous support to the LOC. He also commended RUFORUM for selecting UCC for the AGM and indicated that "The success of this conference will open up other institutions outside Accra for such international programmes". He assured the Minister that the LOC had put in place all the necessary preparations for a successful  programme.

Other members of the team from the RUFORUM Secretariat were Dr. Anthony Egesu, Dr. Alice Mwertwa. Also present were Prof. L. K. Sam-Amoah, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako and Mrs. Mildred Asmah of the Local Organising Committee from UCC.     

The Minister for Education with members of UCC Council

Minister for Education Interacts with Members of UCC Council  

02 Dec, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Minister for Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has commended members of the University Council for helping to maintain a conducive academic environment on campus.

Dr. Prempeh was interacting with members of the Council at a meeting on campus as part of an official visit to the University.

The Minister thanked the Chairman and members of the Council for performing their duties and also ensuring that the University was on track to achieve its mandate. He made reference to governance issues which was hampering academic work in some public universities and other tertiary institutions and advised that “As Council, I expect you to address any grievance as quickly as possible before it escalates and jeopardize the highly respected reputation of this University” 

Dr. Prempeh called on the Council to unite the University Community and work towards producing competent graduates to help develop the country.

On behalf of members, the Chairman, Mrs. Nancy O. C. Thompson, thanked the Minister for the visit and assured him of their commitment to contribute towards achieving the aims and objectives of the University. 


 

Irrigation farm

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Explores Collaboration With UCC

02 Dec, 2019 By louis Mensah

A  delegation from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir, Morocco, has called on the Vice-Chancellor to explore possible areas of collaborations with UCC. 


Introducing the delegation to the Vice-Chancellor, the Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, indicated that UM6P was a reputable institution and a hub of education, research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, which links have close relations with the University’s academic training agenda. He noted that UM6P, through its Agricultural Research Scientists for Africa initiative, has expressed interest in establishing a partnership with the School of Agriculture in order to meet the challenges of research, innovation, and training in Africa.

Purpose of the Visit


The team leader, Hassan Tber, explained that the reason for the visit to UCC was based on a signed agreement between the Ghanaian government and the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Africa through UM6P to develop research in Ghana." He added that since UM6P has the aim to develop Agriculture in Africa, they thought it wise to establish collaboration with the University in order to share knowledge, students and lecturers. UM6P also has plans to establish an experimental farm in UCC.  Hassan Tber was hopeful that the partnership would help students and lecturers from both Universities to identify real problems and context; gain valuable knowledge and as well get connected and networked to develop African Agriculture.  

Promoting research and innovation in Agriculture


Welcoming the team, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, expressed gratitude for such a collaborative idea to help build and share knowledge, and to develop and promote research and innovation in Agriculture. He applauded the move by UM6P because it was very rare to have collaborations with African universities. Prof. Ampiah assured that "We have the resources to support this collaborative initiative and I believe that the School of Agriculture is poised to handle such initiative very competently." 


The Vice-Chancellor commended the School of Agriculture for its initiatives to develop and promote research and technology in Agriculture. He was also hopeful that the collaboration, when formalised, would help lecturers and students to build, transfer and exchange knowledge to affect academic research, innovation and entrepreneurship. 


In attendance were the Dean, School of Agriculture, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, General Agronomist, OCP Ghana Limited, Mr. Richmond Dogbe, Senior Assistant Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. (Mrs.) Georgina Asi Owusu and lecturers from the School of Agriculture. 


As part of the visit, the delegation from UM6P interacted with faculty of the School of Agriculture and also embarked on a field trip to Wamaso in the Central Region to inspect the proposed site for field experimentation station and laboratories.

29 Nov, 2019

SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF CCTV CAMERAS AND ACCESSORIES, PRINTING PRESS MACHINES, SUPPLY OF 30-SEATER BUS AND SUPPLY OF POLO SHIRTS

1. The University of Cape Coast intends to apply part of its Budgetary Allocation of Funds & Internally Generated Funds for the following contracts;

IFT No. DESCRIPTION QTY
(A) CR/UCC/GD/0153/2019 Supply and Installation of CCTV Cameras and Accessories for UCC Administration Block Various
     
(B) CR/UCC/GD/0189/2019 Supply and Installation of Printing Press Machines for UCC Press Various
     
(C) CR/UCC/GD/0028/2019 Supply of 30-Seater Bus with Baggage Carrier on Top for SMS 1
     
(D) CR/UCC/GD/0183/2019

Supply of Polo Shirts for CoDE (Tenderers must submit samples with their Bids)

 20,000

2. The University of Cape Coast invites sealed Tenders from eligible suppliers for the supply of the above goods or services. Tendering will be conducted through the National Competitive Tendering (NCT) procedures specified in the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and Amendment Act, Act 914, 2016 and the Guidelines of the Public Procurement Authority of the Republic of Ghana.

3. Interested eligible Tenderers may obtain further information from The Procurement Office, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, and inspect the bidding document at the address and location given from Monday-Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm local time each day.

4. A complete set of Tender documents in English may be purchased by interested Tenderers on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon the payment of a non-refundable fee of GH¢200.00 each for the documents. The method of payment will be by cash, or bank draft to University of Cape Coast. The document will be obtained personally.

5. Tenders must be deposited in the Tender Box located at the Procurement Office, Central Administration Building, Old Site, at or before 11:00am, on Thursday, 19th December, 2019 for A, B. C, and D.

6. Tenders shall be valid for a period of 90 days after the deadline for Tender submission. All tenders must be accompanied by a Tender Security of not less than two percent (2%) of the Tender Price from a reputable Bank. Late Tenders will be rejected. Tenders will be opened in the presence of Tenderers’ representatives who choose to attend at the Training and Development Conference Room, Central Administration Building, Old Site, University of Cape Coast and at the time specified above.

7. All tenders must be accompanied by:

Valid Business registration certificate, Construction Class Certificate, VAT Certificate, Valid Tax Clearance Certificate, SSNIT Clearance Certificate, Manufacturers Authorization, PPA Certificate or evidence of registration, appropriate certification etc.

8. Address for inspection and Purchase of Tender Documents:

Procurement Office

Central Administration Block- Old Site

University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Telephone: 233-3321-32480, 32483, 024342287

Email: procurement@ucc.edu.gh

Prof (Mrs) Nancy Innocentia Ebu Enyan

Current Head, Department of Public Health

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The Minister for Education with the dignitaries

Develop Curriculum to Train Innovators and Inventors

29 Nov, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Minister for Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has called on African governments to collaborate with Universities to develop a curriculum that trains people to be innovators and inventors as well as create opportunities to reduce or prevent migration.      Dr. Prempeh noted that Ghana was committed to providing for the establishment of an educational system intended to produce well-balanced individuals with the right knowledge, skills, values, aptitudes and attitudes to become functional and productive citizens for the total development and the democratic advancement of the nation.

The Minister was speaking at the opening of a three-day Training on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Model Curriculum on Media, Migration and Refugee Matters hosted by the Department of Communication Studies on the theme “Interrelated Issues to the Media, Migration and Refugee Issues in the Context of a Curriculum Model”.

Dr. Prempeh said the international media had over the years featured harrowing scenes of news stories of young Africans mostly men seeking a new life in Europe by crossing dangerous deserts and seas. “Many lose their lives in the process, but those that make it seem to inspire wave after wave of their desperate fellow citizens to risk their lives for this dangerous crossing” he noted.  Making reference to the Landmark UN Migration Studies published on Monday, 21st October, 2019, he stated that, “ 93 per cent of Africans making the journey to European countries along irregular routes would do it again, despite facing often life-threatening danger because of the search for what many term as better lives”.

Touching on some possible causes of illegal migration, he indicated that African migrants were urged on by their lives of hopelessness, despair and lack of opportunities in their countries and, therefore, see Europe as their only hope of a better life. “The UNDP recommends in a report that opportunity and choice must expand at home to stall the movement of many African youths from using illegal or legal means to migrate to Europe,” he noted. He indicated that as long as people remained poor, uneducated and unskilled, they would seek to migrate by whatever means to a better life elsewhere no matter the dangers.

The model curriculum seeks to provide journalism educators with a comprehensive set of modules, enabling them to train journalism students to better understand the complex factual dimensions of migration coverage, and to translate this knowledge into sound and sensitive yet critical and challenging reporting techniques. It is important to embed the migration story within the actual context of the national political economy. African reporting has tended to emphasise the impact of migration on countries of destination, leaving audiences in Africa only marginally interested in the subject. However, migration can – and should – serve as a mirror of the societies from which the migrants emerge. The story needs to be brought home to Africa in a way that is as dispassionate as it is compelling and convincing, and bring in the perspectives of all stakeholders, local and international. Media reporting constitutes the first line of a people's history. What are journalists in Africa telling about an era that is marked by these dangerous and massive movements of citizens in search of greener pastures?

In her address, a representative of Africa Positive, Veye Tatah explained that the model curriculum would provide journalism educators with a comprehensive set of modules, to enable them to train journalism students to better understand the complex factual dimensions of migration coverage, and to translate this knowledge into sound and sensitive yet critical and challenging reporting techniques.  

Veye Tatah indicated that it was important to embed the migration story within the actual context of the national political economy. “African reporting has tended to emphasize the impact of migration on countries of destination, leaving audiences in Africa only marginally interested in the subject” she noted. She further however posited that “Migration can – and should – serve as a mirror of the societies from which the migrants emerge. The story needs to be brought home to Africa in a way that is as dispassionate as it is compelling and convincing, and bring in the perspectives of all stakeholders, local and international”.

In her view, “Media reporting constitutes the first lines of a people's history” and asked rhetorically,  “What are journalists in Africa telling about an era that is marked by these dangerous and massive movements of citizens in search of greener pastures?”

The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Eric Francis Amuquandoh, said the training workshop was very crucial since most developing countries including Ghana continue to lose capable citizens who could have contributed to the development of their countries. He was hopeful that the training would bring to the fore some thorny issues that needed to be addressed to reverse the trend. 

The Provost noted that the media played very important roles in the development of any nation and therefore, inculcating this curriculum in their training would enhance their understanding of migration and refugee issues. “This will enable them to report the issues in a professional manner devoid of gaps,” he noted.

CAB Consult members interacting with a trader at the Kotokuraba Market

UCC Students Sensitise Traders at Kotokuraba on Handling of Agricultural Products

29 Nov, 2019 By louis Mensah

A team of students from the Department of Agriculture Extension and Economics is embarking on a project to sensitise the public on hygienic ways of handling agricultural produce and products.

The group known as Conscious Agriculture Builders Foundation “CAB Foundation” which is made up of students from UCC recently carried out an outreach programme at the Kotokuraba Market to educate traders of foodstuff and products.  
 
The President of the Foundation, Mr. George Amponsah, said it was worrying that most of the youth in the country was running from agriculture. According to him “Nothing even hurts the most than the youth who are pursuing agriculture in the tertiary institutions with no plan to help grow the sector”. 

Mr. Amponsah noted that “Agriculture isn't just the backbone of our country; it is the only means to a more developed Ghana”. He called on the youth to recognise the fact that they were the future of food security in the country.  He indicated that “There is a growing recognition that for any impactful and sustained growth and development to be achieved, in any sphere of endeavor, there is the need to have people who are passionate about what they do”.

In order to address these concerns, Mr. Amponsah said CAB Foundation was founded with the objective to engage in agriculture and also use it as a means to improve the standard of living of people. "We are here as citizens, not spectators, so we contributed to buy these items to give to our market women after we had some interactions with them because we cannot teach them what is right without supporting them to do the right materials needed,” he noted. He appealed to the general public to support them carry out this important agenda.


 

Students popping champagne at the dinner

Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management Climaxes 10th Anniversary Celebration

29 Nov, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management has held the maiden 'Dinner' to climax its 10th Anniversary Celebration.

In her welcome address, the Head, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dr. Eunice Fay Amissah, stated that the gathering was the first of its kind in the history of the Department, where lecturers and students meet and dine together. She noted, "The 10th Anniversary Celebration is not an occasion of merry making but it is meant for us to reflect on our achievements over the years, and to strategically plan for coming years.” Dr. Amissah also indicated that activities marking the celebration of the anniversary have been organised by staff and students of the Department and therefore used the occasion to commend them for their hard work, commitment and effort towards the entire celebration.

The Head of Department thanked her colleagues for their enormous support and contribution to making the Department one of the best in the University. She applauded partners of the Department from Germany and Switzerland for their presence and participation.

The Ghanaian Departmental students' group presented gifts to the German and Swiss groups at the dinner. 

In attendance were Prof. Ishmael Mensah, Dr. Abednego Kofi Bansah, Mrs. Priscilla Baba Bansah, lecturers from Germany and Switzerland, as well as staff and students from the department.
 

A section of students at the programme

UCC Lecturers Discuss the 2020 Budget Statement

29 Nov, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Department of Data Science and Economic Policy of the School of Economics in collaboration with the Department of Finance, School of Business has organise a round table discussion on the 2020 Budget Statement of Ghana.

The roundtable which has now become an annual programme of the two departments was on the theme “The 2020 Budget Statement of Ghana: Business as usual or a Game Changer?”
    
Speaking at the forum, the Dean of the School of Economics, Dr. Emmanuel Asmah, commended the current government for the impeccable macroeconomic gains achieved since they assumed office in 2017. He noted that strict efforts aimed managing the fiscal and monetary policies had resulted in lower inflation rate, bringing relative stability in the exchange rate. He said these efforts have also strengthened foreign reserves and other indicators as evidence that the country was enjoying stable macroeconomic environment.

 Dr. Asmah, however, pointed out the government would struggle to sustain the current stability and the good prospects of the economy in the run-up to the 2020 elections. He noted that over the years, governments overspend during election years which had resulted in budget overruns.
 
A senior lecturer at the Department of Finance, Rev. Dr. George Nii Tackie, said the government must as a matter of urgency enforce tax regulatory compliance and enforcement to raise enough revenue for the country’s development projects. He said this has become necessary because the government has over the years failed woefully to meet its revenue targets noting that “The government is projecting to raise GH¢67.1 billion, in the 2020 budget statement which is up from the projected outrun for 2019 of GH¢54.6 billion,”.

A section of students at the programme

Counselling Centre Holds Mental Health and Wellness Week

29 Nov, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Counselling Centre, has organized a two-day Mental Health and Wellness Week programme for staff and students of the University Community under the theme: “Speak Up, Speak Out: Changing our Conversation on Mental Health.” 


The Director, Counselling Centre, Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Nkyi, stated that the Centre’s core responsibility in University is to assist students to excel in their academic work because success could not be achieved without a good mental health. He noted, “The importance of this programme cannot be overemphasised because the mind can be described as the headquarters of the individual and if it becomes unwell, the consequences can be devastating.” Rev. Fr. Nkyi indicated that it was based on this reason that the Centre deemed it necessary to join in the promotion and awareness creation of the importance of the well-being of the mind.  


The Director said that the aim of the programme was to sensitize staff, students and the entire University Community to support mental health awareness by being ‘agents of positive change’ and by ‘speaking up and speaking out’ threats to their mental well-being. He was also hopeful that the programme would help arrest the stigma meted out to persons living with mental health problems. 
The Provost, College of Education Studies, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, in his address said that the state of the mind of every individual was a key determinant of the level of productivity of each person. He added, “The psychological and emotional well-being of staff of any organisation is the key to the attainment of the vision and mission of that organisation.” He explained that for the University's vision to be achieved for innovative teaching, research, outreach and professional development, it would need both staff and students with psychological and emotional well-being.

   
Prof. Davis, who also represented the Vice-Chancellor, noted that mental health has become a major concern on university campuses around the world and in recent times the cases of mental health issue reported at the Counselling Offices and the Centre in this University was overwhelming. The Provost said, "This could be attributed to how students are challenged to cope with academic, relationship, financial and other social demands encountered during their studies and carrier plans after graduation." He stated that these and many more stressors which were experienced by students could lead to lower academic performance, examination anxiety, examination malpractice, depression, social isolation, suicidal thoughts and attempts. He urged students to develop the ability to deal with stress in their academic endeavours because that was the key to their academic success and well-being. 
Prof. Davis said there was the need to occasionally create such platforms to discuss issues relating to the mental health of students. He was hopeful that the campaign would create awareness about the dangers associated with this growing but preventable menace. He advised students to visit the University's Counselling Centre, which is staffed with professionals, to assist staff and students that might have any mental health issues. The Provost remarked, "Don't die in silence, speak up, speak out.  Let's altogether change our conversation on mental health." 


The Guest Speaker, a Clinical Psychologist at 37th Military Hospital, Accra, Dr. Erica Danfrekua Dickson, indicated that everyone has one way or the other been affected by mental health problems or conditions before and would continue to experience it. Dr. Dickson noted that people with mental health conditions were usually disregarded and stigmatised in our society and therefore called for the appropriate measures to be put in place to help destigmatise or address the issue. Dr. Dickson urged staff and students to take very good care of themselves and maintain positive mindedness in their daily activities, conversations and relationships. The Clinical Psychologist acknowledged the effort of the Centre in its campaign to alert the University Community on mental health issues and appealed to the to create an inclusive and supportive mechanism to help address existing cases. Dr. Dickson urged the University to involve the other stakeholders to support staff and students in order to realise productivity and sustainable academic success. She appealed to policy makers to effectively operationalise policies on mental health issues.

The Guest Speaker recommended that academia should develop research interest in mental health issues because it was one of the areas with huge research gap. She advised staff and students to visit the Counselling Centre whenever the need arose. "We must not blame people but encourage them to seek help. When you find your friends or peers having mental health problems, speak up to them and encourage them to seek appropriate support," Dr. Dickson said.  

 
The Director, Directorate of University Health Services (DUHS), Dr. Evans Ekanem, commended the Centre for their effort and initiative to create awareness on mental health in the University community. He urged staff and students to seek counselling and guidance from the Centre for all their professional, academic, psychological and emotional problems anytime the need arose. The Director charged stakeholders to include mental health at all levels of curriculum designs and programmes in schools. Dr. Ekanem, who chaired the function, advised both staff and students to, "Be wise and use your time wisely, carefully, socially and psychologically for the benefit of your mental well-being."
In attendance were Prof. (Mrs.) Linda D. Forde, Prof. Godwin Awabil, Prof. Josuah Omotosho, and Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Adzovie. Others were Dr. Stephen Doh Fia, Mr. Eugene Kwarteng Nantwi, staff and students.       
 

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