Prof. Omowumi O. Iledare the GNPC Professorial Chair in Oil and Gas

Prof. Omowumi O. Iledare has been appointed as the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Professorial Chair in Oil and Gas Economics and Management at the Institute for Oil and Gas Studies, University of Cape Coast. Profile of Prof. Omowumi O. Iledare Omowumi O. Iledare, Ph.D, the newly appointed Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Professorial Chair in Oil and Gas Economics and Management at the Institute for Oil and Gas Studies, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, is Professor Emeritus in Petroleum Economics and Policy Research at Louisiana State University, Center for Energy Studies, USA. He is the former Director, Data and Energy Information and former Director, US Gulf Coast Petroleum Technology Transfer Council also at Louisiana State University, Center for Energy Studies, Baton Rouge, USA. Iledare is also the immediate past Director of the Emerald Energy Institute, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where he administered the graduation of over seventy (70) Master of Science students in Petroleum and Energy Economics and twelve (12) Ph.D. scholars in Petroleum and Energy Economics from 2014-2019. He also recently served as petroleum fiscal policy team leader and member of the technical team advising the 8th Nigeria National Assembly Committees on Petroleum Industry Reforms from 2016-2019 and he has taught petroleum economics to oil gas professionals in academia, business and government worldwide since the 1990s. An expert in Geopolitics of Oil and Gas Resources and Supply, Upstream Petroleum Economics, Management and Strategy, Petroleum Fiscal Systems Economics, E&P Decision Analysis under Risk and Uncertainty, and Oil and Gas Policy and Regulation Economics, Iledare is the Chirota and Emmanuel Egbogah Distinguished Professor and Executive Director of Emmanuel Egbogah Foundation, a gratis appointment, domiciled at the Emerald Energy Institute Building, University of Port Harcourt and the Executive Vice President at the International Institute for Petroleum Energy & Policy (IIPELP) Center for Energy Economics, Abuja. He holds a Bachelor Science degree in Petroleum Engineering with honors from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; a Master of Science degree in Energy Resources (Technology, Economics and Policy) from University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mineral and Energy Resource Economics from West Virginia University College of Mineral and Energy Resources. Iledare is Africa Region Director and Member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Petroleum Engineers International (SPEI) and SPE Nigeria Council Board of Trustees. Iledare served as an associate editor for SPE Journal of Economics and Management, 2009-2016 and he is a recipient of SPE regional award for Distinguished Contributions to Petroleum Engineering in Management and Information. Iledare, a past President and Senior Fellow of the United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE), is the 2014 President of the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE), and the 2015-2019 President and a Distinguished Fellow of the Nigeria Association for Energy Economics (NAEE). Iledare is also a recipient of the prestigious IAEE award for outstanding contributions to the IAEE, the Lifetime Achiever Award of the Nigerian Association of Energy Economics, and the Emmanuel Egbogah Award for Petroleum Industry Advocacy in Nigeria from the Nigeria Council of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is married to Abike Joyce Iledare.

Some of the fresh students at the orientation programme

2019/2020 Fresh Students Go through Orientation

02 Sep, 2019 By louis Mensah

Fresh students admitted to pursue various programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for the 2019/2020 academic year have been taken through a one-week orientation programme.

The orientation programme was to introduce the fresh students to rules, regulations and policies Colleges, Faculties/Schools and Departments as well as managing their expectations as they begin their academic journey at UCC.

UCC is the University of Competitive Choice

Speaking at the function, the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame who represented the Registrar, Mr. John Kofi Nyan, congratulated the students on their successful admission to UCC. “UCC is the University of Competitive Choice and only the lazy will be discouraged to learn at UCC” he added. He, therefore, assured that UCC provided its students with critical and independent thought to be ahead of their peers from other institutions.

Mr. Onyame advised the students to take a keen interest in all the sessions outlined for the orientation in order to get the right information about academic and social lives on campus. “The orientation programme will prepare you to face the challenges you are likely to encounter as a fresh student of this University. Do not rely on your friend’s version of the policies, rules and regulations and other vital information about the University,” he advised the freshers.

Choices Have Consequences

For his part, the Dean of Students, Prof. Eugene K. M. Darteh, informed the students that the University offered enough freedom which came with challenges. “Engage in activities that will make your lives better; be responsible and don’t forget why you are here” he advised.

Prof. Darteh reminded the students that they would be individually held responsible for their actions since “choices have consequences”.

The Dean of Students entreated the students to be security conscious and be responsible for their personal safety on campus. “Though the University has security personnel to provide security to the entire University community, students should also play their part and ensure they take their personal security in their hands,” he cautioned.

Be abreast of Happenings on Campus

Prof. Darteh urged the students to read notices, Students’ Handbook and other policies of the University. He further entreated them to visit the University website and also listen to the Campus Radio that is ATL FM to be abreast of happenings on campus. He asked the students to visit the Counselling Centre anytime they encountered difficulties with their academic or social life on campus adding that “suicide should not be an option”. He said the Office of the Dean of Students’ was always opened to attend the needs of students.

Speakers at the Orientation Programme

Other speakers for the orientation were the Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Prof. Awabil who spoke about Quality Assurance in UCC; the Head of Communicative Skills, Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah gave an overview of Communicative Skills whiles the Head of Electricity Section, Mr. J. W. Ansah spoke about Energy Conservation.

The Head of the Chaplaincy Unit, Rev. Prof. Seth Asare-Danso gave a presentation about religious service and the various worship places for the various groups. There was a presentation and demonstration of fire safety by ADO 01 Twumasi Ampofo and STN 01 J. W. Mensah of the UCC Fire Service.

As part of the itinerary for the orientation ceremony, the students were exposed to the programmes of study in their colleges, faculties/schools and departments and introduced to the facilities and landmarks. They were also taken through campus security, sporting activities, anger management, relationship tidbits, counselling services, disability issues, registration issues, library and health services.

The programme was chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh.

CEGRAD Holds 2nd Camplife Tidbits Peer Facilitators Training Workshop

02 Sep, 2019 By louis Mensah

The Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD), UCC, has organised a four-day training workshop to train and equip new facilitators to help educate freshmen on university campus life. It was also to mark its’ 2nd Campus Life (Camp life) Tidbit Peer Facilitators initiative programme.

Addressing the facilitators, the Director of CEGRAD, Dr. (Mrs.) Georgina Yaa Oduro, expressed gratitude to the new peer facilitators for their spirit of volunteerism and readiness to be part of the Camp life peer facilitators’ training workshop. She noted that the idea of Camp life Titbits was adopted and contextualised from the University of Michigan. It is a collaborative effort which aims at helping freshmen and women to settle on campus smoothly and effortlessly in an academic environment. Again, it is to help them gain awareness of challenges and opportunities associated with campus culture and support them to develop requisite strategies for coping with challenges associated with campus life.

Peer Facilitation Approach

Dr. (Mrs.) Yaa Oduro said, “CEGRAD commits itself to the peer facilitation approach for integrating fresh students into campus life because the feedback from previous training programmes suggested strongly that students learn better from their peers.” She added that through participant feedback from previous programmes the comprehensive and encompassing nature of the contents of the training workshop and better clarity led to the adoption of the name Camp life Tidbit, which was originally known as ‘Relationship Tidbit.’ She explained that the training programme was structured in eleven-blocks and peer facilitators would be introduced to relationship issues, value systems, decision-making, processes, gender equality and gender-based violence awareness creation. Others are communication, making choices on sex and substance abuse issues, etc. “The workshop also exposes students to sexual harassment issues and campus and off-campus avenues for seeking help,” she added.

Be Committed to the Programme.

The Director encouraged the peer facilitators to be more committed to the programme because they stood the chance to broadening their knowledge on campus-related gender issues and to add to their Curriculum Vitae (CV) which could open future opportunities. She challenged the peer facilitators to see their selection to participate in the four-day workshop as a great opportunity and make the best out of it. She thanked the University Management, and the former CEGRAD Executives, all Affiliates of CEGRAD, and the staff for their support, commitment and hard work.

Be Active in the Workshop

In a message, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Barima Kwabena Antwi, advised the peer facilitators to learn and master whatever that they would be taught because they were being trained to train their peers. The Dean, who also chaired the programme, charged the peer facilitators to be meritocratic, pragmatic and honest leader as they prepare to train their peers. The Coordinator, Advocacy and Outreach, CEGRAD, Dr. Theresa Addai Mununkum, called on the peer facilitators to make good use and pay heed to the information given them for delivery. She also urged them to be quick, careful, clever and smart enough to convey whatever they are obliged to in their capacities as peer facilitators.

Views of Facilitators

Sharing their views, some participants said they have been equipped and given enough information to their peers on campus life. They also said the training workshop would go along to help freshmen to prepare their minds adequately to build inner confidence and courage to face academic life on campus. In all, twenty (20) peer facilitators were trained at the workshop and each was presented a certificate of participation.

Present at the training workshop, were Coordinator, Research and Documentation, CEGRAD, Dr. Samuel Agblorti, the founding Director of CEGRAD, Prof. Akua O. Britwum, immediate past Director, CEGRAD, Dr. Genevieve Adukpo, former Coordinator of Research, CEGRAD, Dr. Angela Akorsu; former Coordinator, CEGRAD, Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Fay Amissah, and some affiliates of the Centre.

Dignitaries and participants at the maiden National Tourism Dialogue and Conference

Department of Hospitality& Tourism Management Holds National Tourism Dialogue & Conference

02 Sep, 2019 By louis Mensah

As part of the 10th-anniversary celebrations, the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, UCC, has held its maiden National Tourism Dialogue and Conference under the theme: “Tourism and Hospitality in Ghana: Past Experiences, Present State and Future Outlook.”

The theme for the Programme

The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Barima Kwabena Antwi, who chaired the function indicated that theme for the programme was very relevant because it was in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, and possibly seek to address pertinent issues that confront the development of tourism in the country. He noted that tourism, indeed, has the potential to grow the Ghanaian economy and therefore ought to be given the needed support and attention to succeed. The Dean urged participants to contribute their quota to bring the programme to fruition.

Prof. Barima Kwabena Antwi stressed on the need for continuous training of human resource, so as to move with the changing trends in the industry. He charged the major stakeholders and the industry players to develop a policy to guide the industry’s local content.

Development of Tourism Products

In her welcome address, the Head, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dr. Eunice Fay Amissah, stated that the potential of tourism in Ghana was very huge and called for the development of other tourism products. However, she noted that Ghana as compared to other key tourism destinations in Africa was far behind in developing new tourism products. The Head of Department mentioned, “limited understanding of tourism as a development option; lack of investment in the industry; poor infrastructure; lack of professionalism and the expensive nature of Ghana as a tourist destination as some of the challenges facing the industry.” She was hopeful that the conference would go a long way to contribute immensely to the development of the tourism and hospitality industry in the country.

Partnership

Dr. Amissah said the Department was in active partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to train frontline personnel in the industry; it has also played a key role in the drafting of the National Tourism and Hospitality Policy and has received a positive report on students’ performance from the industry. She said the department has planned to organize regional customer service training workshop in Cape Coast, Takoradi and for UCC cleaners.

Contribution of the Hospitality Industry to GDP

A representative of the Ghana Hoteliers Association (GHA), Mr. Ben Kweku Idun, commended the Department for creating such a national platform to sensitise stakeholders and the major players, on the issues, challenges and concerns of the Hospitality and Tourism industry in the country. He said that, “Hotels alone contribute 2.9% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and offer 2.4% jobs for people.” However, Mr. Idun stated that the hotels face many challenges which included high utility tariffs; exchange rate; high lending interest rates; high tax and levy regimes; inflation rates; heavy regulation of the bodies, among others. He continued to explain, that the utility tariffs take up between 25% - 30% of revenue generated. Mr. Kweku Idun indicated, “The hospitality sector remains a vehicle for Ghana’s economic growth and has demonstrated high potential for employment and tax revenues, therefore, all issues confronting its operations require all our attention. GHA as a partner is ready to work with the government and stakeholders in resolving those issues.”

Challenges of the Tourism Industry

In a message, the President, Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), Madam Bella Ahu, noted that the challenges of the industry were as a result of the limited understanding of the tourism industry right from the Ministry to the general public. The GHATOF President commented that tourism should not in any way be considered as entertainment. This, she explained was because “the industry person who has a better understanding of the industry are not appointed to head the Ministry in charge of tourism.” Madam Ahu noted that there was the need to have a ‘National Tourism Policy’ which would provide the major players in the industry clear directions and called for draft to be finalized. To her colleagues, she said, “We should be conscious about our sanitation by cleaning our environment in order to attract more visitors and arrivals.” She charged hospitality and tourism management institutions to train and equip their students to march industry performance and urged students to study hard to help build a better tourism industry. “It is my aspiration that Ghanaians will manage upscale hotels in the country,” Madam Ahu remarked.

Present were the Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, the Dean, Centre for International Education, UCC, Prof. Kwaku A. A. Boakye, the Ghana Director, Confucius Institute, UCC, Prof. Ishmael Mensah, Dr. Edem Amenumey, a representative from the Tourism Development Fund, Madam Ruth A. Ankrah, representatives from Cape Coast Technical University, lecturers, staff and students.

School for Development Studies Holds Public Lecture on Ghana Beyond Aid

02 Sep, 2019 By louis Mensah

The School for Development Studies (SDS) has held a Public Lecture under the theme, “Ghana Beyond Aid (GBA) and Sustainable National Development.”
The lecture was aimed at fostering a better understanding of the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda. The Dean, School for Development Studies, Dr. Emmanuel Y. Tenkorang indicated that the issues of development have become one of the major concerns of the current state of the country. He said, “SDS holds development as its’ core mandate, trains and churns out people to face the challenging developmental issues of the citizens, therefore, there is the need to meet and deliberate on some issues that are hindering the country’s growth.”

Ghana Beyond Aid Charter

The main speaker, a United Kingdom-based Finance Managing Consultant, and Author, Mr. Marricke Kofi Gane, said, the GBA charter spells out what the agenda is. “It is a National Transformation Agenda of the Ghana we want and the behavioural changes needed to get us there; it is about Transforming and Growing out of dependence on aid – not the rejection of aid; it is not a development plan with a list of projects to be implemented by government,” he said. According to him the GBA agenda seeks to change the environment and the way we do development and institutionalise GBA by engaging citizens and stakeholders to have a buy-in.

Reforms

Mentioning some of the main reforms needed to make the GBA happen, he highlighted on macroeconomic stability; higher public resource management; greater efficiency in using public resources and transparent public investments; improved public infrastructure and easier access to land. Mr. Gane also said a robust financial sector for domestic savings; a more supportive private sector environment; small and medium scale enterprises support; export promotion and import substitution; building technological capabilities; creating strong social partnerships between government, business and labour; a more strategic mobilisation and use of aid were the other trends of the agenda. Mr. Kofi Gane hinted that the document also has a total list of 76 specific government projects and programmes that would be carried out to bring GBA to fruition. Mr. Gane explained that “A true development is all about systematically building a country’s economic, political, technological and social structures into a unified adaptive system that continually delivers total well-being to its citizens and which continues to adapt to the changing needs of its citizens.”

Focused, Disciplined Agenda

The Speaker added that “One needs to understand that it is the unified nature of adaptive system that guarantees and ensures that citizens benefit politically, economically, socially and technologically. He noted that locally, efforts should be focused on delivering concrete outcomes through technical and operational superiority in the public sector. He indicated, “What Ghana needs right now is a focused, disciplined agenda to become what we were always destined to be – a great and strong nation. We need to deliver accelerated development by re-building the capacity of the state and its citizens – a human capital-driven entry point.”

Important Ingredient for the Nation’s Survival

The Provost, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Francis Eric Amuquandoh, noted that development was the most important ingredient in the survival of every nation, therefore, the people should do their best to accelerate its’ cause. Prof. Amuquandoh, who chaired the programme, added that “We have plenty resources but we still wallow in poverty, therefore, it will be important to discuss development, so as to bridge the gap between academia and field of practice.”

Prof. Amuquandoh charged the participants to use the information gathered to help improve the lots of the people and to address their developmental dynamisms. He also called for the need to devise efficient public sector reforms and manage resources of the country. Prof. Amuquandoh said, “We must be selfless because development and improvement are in our hands if only we can manage the little resources we have as a country. We should allow ourselves to be trained and enlightened to create new ideas for inventions and innovations, and be ambassadors to the message we have heard.”
Present at the lecture were the Faculty Officer, School for Development Studies Mrs. Priscilla B. Bansah, lecturers and students from the faculty.

Continuing Students Report

Registration of Fresh Students

Fresh Students Report

Online Registration by Continuing Students

2019/2020 Fresh Students Go through Orientation