Deputy Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak, has strongly criticized President Akufo-Addo’s proposal to rename the University of Ghana in honor of the late Joseph Boakye Danquah.
As per the politician’s viewpoint, this move is an effort to alter the nation’s history.
President Akufo-Addo eulogised the late Joseph Boakye Danquah a former presidential candidate in 1960 saying he played a major role in the establishment of the University of Ghana.
The President giving a speech during the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the institution expressed his conviction that history will view JB Danquah favourably considering the efforts he put in place to see to the establishment of UG.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted how Joseph Boakye Danquah’s commitment to ensuring Ghana had its university led to the founding of the University of Ghana.
He described JB Danquah as visionary adding that the legacy of Joseph Boakye Danquah might even warrant consideration for naming the University of Ghana after him, given the historical significance of his contributions.
“Indeed, in many other jurisdictions where there is less heat in their politics and more attachment to the fact of historical record, it would not have been out of place to have this university named after him. Who knows, one day it may well happen.”
“It will be wholly appropriate and not at all far-fetched to describe Joseph Boakye Danquah as the founder of this university [the University of Ghana], a fact that, on the 75th anniversary of its existence, should be vividly recalled by all of us who are being and are the beneficiaries of his work,” he said.
In response, the Builsa South legislator declared that the president is aiming to change the country’s history.
As a result, he has requested him to wait and name the national cathedral after JB Danquah.
He also stated that the president’s attempt to rewrite Ghana’s history to benefit his family will fail.
In a tweet, he stated that the warped history under this regime would be reversed after the 2024 presidential election.
“Complete your cathedral and name it after him wai. Your agenda to revise the history of Ghana in favour of your clan is bound to unravel after January 7th, 2025. Ghana’s true history will be reinstated.”
During the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of theUniversity of Ghana, President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized the pivotal role played by Joseph Boakye Danquah, a former presidential candidate in 1960, in the university’s establishment.
In his speech, President Akufo-Addo conveyed his strong belief that history will remember JB Danquah favourably for his dedicated efforts in advocating for the creation of the university.
The President highlighted how Joseph Boakye Danquah’s unwavering commitment to securing Ghana’s own university ultimately led to the founding of the University of Ghana.
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo pointed out that Danquah’s visionary pursuits extended to challenging the British recommendation for a sole university in West Africa, which was intended for Nigeria.
Instead, he rallied Ghanaians to support the establishment of their own educational institution.
The President also remarked that, considering the historical importance of Danquah’s contributions, the legacy of Joseph Boakye Danquah might even merit consideration for naming the University of Ghana after him.
He mentioned, “Indeed, in many other jurisdictions where there is less heat in their politics and more attachment to the facts of historical record, it would not have been out of place to have this university named after him. Who knows, one day it may well happen.”
President Akufo-Addo commended the University of Ghana for reaching its diamond jubilee and lauded its role in shaping the nation’s development.
“It will be wholly appropriate and not at all far-fetched to describe Joseph Boakye Danquah as the founder of this university [the University of Ghana], a fact that, on the 75th anniversary of its existence, should be vividly recalled by all of us who are being and are the beneficiaries of his work,” he said.
The President’s sentiment mirrored his previous comments made five years ago when the university initiated an endowment fund during its70th-anniversary celebration.
An economist at the University of Ghana, Dr Adu Sarkodie, has come forward to support the Bank of Ghana’s management in the face of the GHC60.81 billion loss incurred by the apex bank during the 2022 fiscal year.
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, Dr Sarkodie emphasised that during the period under scrutiny, the Bank fulfilled its constitutional mandate effectively and should not be criticized harshly.
“The central bank is mandated to regulate the financial sector and influence GDP and employment, and they have done well on that level but the losses they made came from the fiscal side and were not the same as in the process of undertaking their core mandate and I don’t think we should entirely blame the BoG for undertaking their mandate.”
Dr. Sarkodie also expressed concern over the independence of the Bank of Ghana which he said can also be blamed for the lax provisions by management which made it possible for the government to borrow beyond 5 percent of its revenue in the year preceding 2022.
“Let’s take a look at the 5 percent financing balancing…their [BoG] independence is not there and that is something that will be worrying to any governor of the Bank of Ghana.”
“Part of the blame should be placed on foreign investors in selling government bonds and also independence of the Bank is key because it is baffling how the Bank suspended the 5 percent finance balancing that allowed the government to over-borrow,” Dr. Sarkodie added.
A viral video circulating on social media has shed light on the intense competition among medical students at the University of Ghana (UG) for seats on a school bus.
The bus involved in this incident bears the branding “School of Biomedical and Allied Health” transport, indicating its specific relevance to medical students’ transportation needs
The bus service is crucial for these students as their classes are primarily held off-campus in the School of Biomedical and Allied Health.
In the video, students from the School of Biomedical and Allied Health can be seen engaged in a frantic battle to secure a spot on the limited number of available seats.
The scene depicts a chaotic rush, with some students resorting to extreme measures like jumping through bus windows in their quest to avoid being late or secure their preferred seats.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, and other officials faced difficulties in adequately answering various questions related to alleged infractions during a session with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The PAC expressed dissatisfaction with the officials’ lack of preparation and advised the University to be better prepared for future appearances.
The PAC also stated that it may recommend the prosecution of some University and NDK Financial Services officials concerning a GH¢1.2 million investment fund that has not been recouped despite repeated orders from the PAC.
The Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) at UG, Legon, made the investment, and since 2019, GH¢1,234,767.59 has been locked up with NDK Financial Services, with no indication of recovery.
As of March 17, 2020, only GH¢100,000.00 has been redeemed, leaving GH¢1,234,767.59 outstanding, even though the due date was October 15, 2019.
Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, the Deputy Director of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has announced that the commission will soon release the names of educational institutions that are offering unaccredited programs.
He emphasized that unaccredited programs are those that have not been officially published on the GTEC website. Professor Jinapor further explained that administering such programs is a violation of the law and can result in imprisonment for those involved.
The move to publish the names of institutions offering unaccredited programs aims to ensure transparency and protect the interests of students seeking quality education in Ghana.
Starting from this week till next week, we are going to start publishing all centres, programmes that are run by various institutions that are unaccredited. By law, we are supposed to have published those that are credited, and by inference, it means that if the programme is not published on the GTEC website or in the newspapers, automatically, it is unaccredited,” he said on JoyFM’s Midday.
“It is a “prisonable offence for you to run a programme that is unaccredited or to even advertise it,” he added.
In addition, the Deputy Director highlighted that it is not acceptable for institutions to advertise programs while they are in the process of seeking accreditation. Merely applying for accreditation does not grant permission for program advertisement, he cautioned.
Despite previous warnings from GTEC, some institutions continue to offer programs without proper accreditation. This disregard for the guidelines set by GTEC has been addressed by the commission, urging these institutions to cease such practices.
Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, revealed that the university currently has over 300 programs awaiting accreditation. Prof. Dickson clarified that most of these programs are in various stages of the accreditation process, emphasizing that it would be unfair to halt these programs based on their current status.
“Currently, we have more than 500 programmes and as we speak, we have about over 140 accredited but some of them are at various stages of accreditation.
“For example, I am able to report that we’ve been working very closely with GTEC to ensure that these programmes are accredited.
“As we speak, we have over 100 programmes that we are expecting GTEC to mobilise faculty and come and review on our campus,” she explained.
Also, authorities of the University of Ghana (UG) say they have taken steps to ensure the accreditation of some of the school’s programmes listed as unaccredited in the 2021 Auditor General’s report.
Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, Registrar, Emelia Agyei Mensah said, the University has made sure 60 out of 80 undergraduate programmes are now accredited.
“Out of the 80, I would say that currently, we have 60 of the undergraduate programme fully accredited and the rest are in the process of being accredited,” he told the Vice-Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Samuel Atta Mills.
Management of the University of Ghana (UG), Legon has revealed that about half of its 213 unaccredited postgraduate programmes offered as of 2022 have been axed.
Engaging Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, July 18, UG Registrar, Emelia Agyei Mensah, rendered an account on the update of unaccredited courses cited by the Auditor-General in 2021.
Management noted that about half of the 213 unaccredited postgraduate courses presented last year were no longer being offered by the institution, hence the decision to have them abolished.
“As part of the process, we have weeded out many programmes that were no longer being offered at the University of Ghana. We have a total of 220 programmes in all.
“So this figure of 213 postgraduate programmes, half of them probably have been taken out because they are no longer offered at the University,” Emelia Agyei Mensah said.
Details of the specific postgraduate courses no longer offered by the tertiary insitution is yet to be made public.
Providing details on the current status of postgraduate courses, management revealed that a total of 220 programmes are being offered.
With regards to unaccredited postgraduate programmes, management assured that “the remainder have gone through the accreditation process or are in the process of going through the accreditation.”
Half of unaccredited postgraduate programmes at UG ‘weeded out’ – Management#INDNews Thomas Partey | Justin Bieber | Cancelo | iMessage | Sheldon | Mason Mount pic.twitter.com/VAPrilFnqj
— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) July 19, 2023
In September 2022, the total number of accredited and unaccredited programmes run by the University of Ghanaand Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) were released by the Ghana Tertiary Commission (GTEC).
Some of the unaccredited programmes at the University of Ghana included M.A. Communication Studies, M.A. HIV and AIDS Management, Ph.D. Accounting.
GTEC’s release followed a report by the Auditor-General which indicated that the two main tertiary institutions in the country, University of Ghana and KNUST were running a significant number of unaccredited programmes.
Over 600 programmes run by the two leading universities were without accreditation, the 2021 Auditor-General report noted.
For KNUST, expired programmes that required reaccreditation included B.A. Political Science, B.A. Sociology, B.Sc. Computer Engineering, B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Sc. Mathematics, MPhil Political Science, MSc Mathematics PhD English, PhD Sociology.
Per information sighted by the Independent Ghana on the website of the Ghana Tertiary Commission, the following postgraduate programmes at the University of Ghana that require accreditation as of July 19, 2023, include:
Ph.D. Agricultural Extension, Ph.D. Agriculture Economics, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D. Development Economics, Ph.D. Development Studies, Ph.D. Food Science, Ph.D. Health Policy and Management, Ph.D. Marketing, Ph.D. Migration Studies, Ph.D. Molecular Cell Biology and Infectious Disease, Ph.D. Nutrition.
Ph.D. Plant Breeding, Ph.D. Public Health, Ph.D. Social Policy Studies, Ph.D. Soil Science, Ph.D. Statistics, PhD Microbiology, PhD. Nursing.
It is yet to be confirmed which of these aforementioned courses are no longer offered by the school.
Some accredited postgraduate courses being offered at the University of Ghana include:
Ph.D. Applied Agricultural Economics and Policy, Ph.D. Chemistry, Ph.D. Chemistry, Ph.D. Communication Studies, Ph.D. Information Systems, Ph.D. Material Science and Engineering, Ph.D. Mathematics, Ph.D. Physics, Ph.D. Plant and Environmental Biology.
Ph.D. Population Studies, Ph.D. Psychology, PhD Classics, PhD Climate Change and Sustainable Development, PhD Climate Change and Sustainable Development, PhD Clinical Sciences, PhD Earth Science, PhD English, PhD Fisheries Science, PhD Food Process Engineering, PhD French, PhD Geography and Resource Development, PhD Information Systems, PhD Law, PhD Management Science, PhD Music, PhD Philosophy, PhD Public Administration and Policy Management, PhD Social Work, PhD Study of Religions.
Note: This is not the full list of accredited and unaccredited postgraduate programmes at the University of Ghana.
A total of 60 out of 80 unaccredited undergraduate courses at the University of Ghana, have now received accreditation, authorities at the institution have said.
Responding to questions at a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, authorities at the institution said measures have been taken to ensure that all unaccredited programmes were properly accredited.
“After we had these audit responses, we’ve put in place a lot of treasures. So for instance, currently, we have a total of 220 programs in the whole university. We have put in place measures to ensure that all of these programs are properly accredited.
“Currently, we have 132 programs which are fully accredited and this cuts across all levels. Mr Chairman, what we have done is put in place systems to ensure that all of these programs are properly accredited,” she noted.
It was revealed in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report that a total of 374 academic programmes offered by the University of Ghana were unaccredited.
Of the 374, 14 are Diploma programs, and 80 are undergraduate programmes. Postgraduate programmes are 213 and 67 are PhD programmes.
“We noted that the University advertised 374 academic programmes on the various web portals that had the accreditation expired or required re-accreditation during the period under review,” portions of the report indicated.
But in a latest update, the school has stated that it is in the process of ensuring all courses are registered.
“Out of the 80, I’ll say that currently we have 60 of the undergraduate programs fully accredited and the tests are in the process of being accredited,” Madam Agudu noted.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak, has described the proposed hostel fees for the University of Ghana as “exorbitant”.
Reacting to the proposed rates, he questioned how many parents can afford it.
“Exorbitant to put it mildly. How many parents can afford to pay these outrageous amounts for hostel accommodation for their wards?
“What happens to the poor? Information is that it’s same in other Universities. We need a national conversation on accommodation for students,” Dr. Apaak wrote in a tweet on Friday, July 14,” he said an thus, called for a national conversation on the matter.
A document detailing high hostel fees at the University of Ghana’s Legon campus for the 2023/2024 academic year has sparked controversy.
The document, purportedly from Ghana Hostels Ltd, dated Thursday, July 13, outlines approved rates per bed ranging from GHS 4,928 for four students sharing a room with shared facilities to GHS 35,320 for an air-conditioned single room with en-suite facilities.
This, many say represents increases of 200-300% compared to current rates.
Students and education stakeholders have expressed outrage at the increases, arguing that many students will be unable to afford a university education.
The said national dialogue will probably look at the need for affordable student housing to ensure access to tertiary education, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
On social media, there have been conflicting reactions to the recently announced dorm housing costs for the 2023–2024 academic year at Ghana Hostels Limited, also known as Pent Hall, a part of the University of Ghana.
Many people on social media are voicing their outrage over what they called extortionate costs established for students who want to live in the hall.
The upcoming academic year’s fees have been announced by the hostel administration, and most students have found them to be extremely excessive and out of their price range.
From four thousand nine hundred twenty-eight Ghana cedis (GH4,928.00) for a shared room with four occupants to thirty-five thousand three hundred twenty Ghana cedis (GH35,320.00) for a single room reserved for international students, prices range.
Twitter in particular has been inundated with comments expressing anger about the high rates.
One user exclaimed, “The hostel prices are crazy in Legon herrrrhhh.” Another user expressed frustration with the situation, blaming the leadership, stating, “You want students who aren’t working to pay such amounts? The evil is from our leaders. We are only seeing the ripple effect around.”
The issue has also prompted discussions about the affordability of education in Ghana, with some users vowing to avoid sending his children to any overpriced universities in the country. “Sia money wey somebro go fi take do masters den dey post for here like that. Legon Pent and that KNUST brunei, all demma owners are wicked.”
“Pure definition of ‘de wo lane mu.’ Eii Legon, how much is even a two-bedroom rent in East Legon?”
Another user asked, “Moagyimi anaa Na school fees kraa be how much” (Does education itself cost this much?).
How should I explain to someone that Ghc4500 which is the price of 4-in-room at Legon is the average price of 2-in-room at KNUST. pic.twitter.com/4ZFQ2Ygvep
One thing i have promised myself is that i will try as much as possible to avoid sending my kids to any overpriced University in Ghana. Sia money wey somebro go fi take do masters den dey post for here like that. Legon Pent den that KNUST brunei all demma owners are wicked. pic.twitter.com/e5ca9J8AYY
If you own property or you get empty boys quarters for Legon & surrounding areas, this is your sign to open a hostel and make money from cheaper rates ! What dis? 😳 https://t.co/wylxKj4FWl
Mary Chinery-Hesse has been appointed for a second term as the Chancellor of the University of Ghana.
The announcement came after a meeting held by the University’s Council on July 6, 2023. Her appointment was approved, and she will begin her second five-year term on August 1. Her tenure will continue until July 31, 2028.
In 2018, Mrs. Chinery-Hesse became the first female Chancellor of the University of Ghana. She has had remarkable careers in the Civil Service and the United Nations, where she has been a prominent voice on economic and development issues.
She is known for her advocacy of human and women’s rights, African imperatives, conflict resolution, and mediation.
Mrs. Chinery-Hesse holds notable distinctions, including being the first African woman to serve as the Resident Coordinator of the UN System and the first African woman to attain the rank of Under Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Apart from her role as the University of Ghana’s first female Chancellor since August 2018, she has held various other positions of distinction.
She is a Friend of the African Union Panel of the Wise and has served as the Chief Advisor to the President of Ghana.
Additionally, she was a retired Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and a former Vice-Chairperson of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
Mrs. Chinery-Hesse’s achievements have been recognized through numerous accolades.
In 1991, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by her Alma Mater, the University of Ghana, becoming the first female graduate of the university to receive such an honor. Furthermore, in November 2021, the University of London bestowed upon her an honorary Doctor of Science degree in Economics.
This recognition has also revitalized the longstanding relationship between the University of Ghana and the University of London, which dates back to the establishment of the former institution.
A 24-year-old individual who assaulted a student at the University of Ghana has been given a 36-year prison sentence with hard labor by an Accra Circuit Court.
According to a newspaper report by the Chronicle Newspaper dated July 13, 2023, the presiding judge, Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, who delivered the sentence yesterday, July 12, 2023, slapped the accused now convict with 18 years each for conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery. The sentences will run concurrently.
Despite pleading not guilty, the convict underwent a full trial before being found guilty of the crime.
The unemployed convict, before the sentence he was pronounced with, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, as he had a five-year-old daughter and a sick mother under his care as the breadwinner.
He also shared a background of growing up in a broken home and never having the opportunity to go to school beyond primary ‘4’
The court considered the gravitas of the offence and the completion of the full trial before reaching the verdict of guilt.
The two other accomplices, who were charged with the convict; Frank Attah Kwame Agyekum and Kofi Kwarteng alias Kofi Adwoumor, were acquitted, and discharged for lack of evidence.
The court established that Amaning conspired with Evans Kwabena Nyarko; a storekeeper who is currently at large, the perpetrator of the crime.
The prosecuting officer of the case, Chief Inspector Moses Mensah Soagede, named Joshua Asante Tuah as the complainant and a student at the University of Ghana, who lives in Haatso with his family.
According to the prosecution, on September 15, 2019, at about 2:00 am the convict and his accomplices, armed with a locally manufactured pistol, a cutlass, and a screwdriver, broke into the complainant’s house while he and his family were asleep.
The convict and his associates managed to steal Tuah’s belongings, including an HP laptop computer valued at GH₵1,800.00, a Samsung J4 mobile phone valued at GH₵710.00, and a Samsung ACC mobile phone valued at GH₵300.00 (totalling GH₵2,810.00).
The complainant was also robbed of his school certificates, ID cards and other documents.
The complainant out of fear shouted for help and was heard by his neighbours, who called the Police Information Room for assistance.
The robbers were apprehended at the scene and handed over to a Police Patrol Team who came there.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Amaning and his gang devised the plan on September 14, 2019, at 10:00 pm in Agbogbloshie. They armed themselves and proceeded to the complainant’s house, jumping the fence wall and entering through the kitchen door to carry out the robbery.
On October 10, 2019, the Accra Regional Police received information from the Nkawkaw Police about the arrest of Frank Attah Kwame Agyekum and Evans Kwabena Nyarko in connection with another robbery. They were subsequently brought to the Accra Regional CID for further investigation.
In their respective statements, Agyekum and Nyarko admitted to being accomplices of Amaning and Kofi Kwarteng (alias Kofi Adwoumor), who was still at large at the time.
On October 22, 2020, Kwarteng was arrested in Agbogbloshie, Accra, following police surveillance.
In their statements during the investigation, all four individuals admitted to being involved in the robbery at the complainant’s house on September 15, 2019, at approximately 2:00 am.
The University of Ghana School of Law has taken the decision to withdraw more than 20 students due to their academic non-performance, according to reports.
A comprehensive list, containing names and ID numbers of the affected students, has revealed their failure to meet the minimum requirements necessary to maintain their enrollment.
Among the students who have been withdrawn, four were regular Law students, while the remaining 19 were Weekend students who had been admitted over the past two years to pursue the Postgraduate LLB Degree.
These dismissed students were notified of their status weeks ago and were given the option to reapply to the school, should they wish to pursue admission through a new process.
Notably, the list includes individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, including some who hold prominent positions and have familial ties to influential politicians.
However, their inability to meet the minimum academic standards has resulted in their dismissal from the institution.
The University of Ghana School of Law, known as the premier center for legal education in Ghana, has consistently played a leading role in preparing students for the legal profession.
Upon graduation, students from the School of Law proceed to the Ghana School of Law Makola for further training to become practicing lawyers.
Originally established as a department within the Faculty of Social Studies in the 1958/59 academic year, the UG School of Law later became a separate Faculty in 1960/61 and ultimately attained full status as a school in the 2014/15 academic year.
A confrontation occurred between law enforcement and a group of students from the University of Ghana (UG) within the premises of Commonwealth Hall.
The incident took place during a night vigil organized to commemorate the life of James Lutterodt, a former participant in the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) who tragically passed away.
In a viral video capturing the incident, police officers can be seen chasing students who were holding candles during the vigil.
While the exact details of what transpired are still unclear, the footage depicts a chaotic scene.
James Lutterodt, along with Francisca Lamini and Bright Senyo Godzo, gained recognition as NSMQ stars when they represented Keta Senior High School (Ketasco) in 2021.
Their brilliance and determination endeared them to viewers nationwide during the highly competitive program.
Although they secured third place, their achievement marked a historic moment as the first students from a school in the Volta Region of Ghana to reach the prestigious NSMQ finals. Prior to his untimely death, James Lutterodt was an undergraduate student at UG, pursuing a degree in Computer Science.
It is unknown what led to his demise but he suffered with breathing according to the deceased’s father. The tragedy occurred just as he was preparing to travel to the United States for further studies. James Lutterodt was only 19 years old.
The clash between the police and UG students during the vigil adds further sorrow to the already somber occasion.
As the circumstances surrounding the incident become clearer, the public eagerly awaits more information regarding the cause and any potential consequences resulting from the altercation.
A geologist from the University of Ghana (UG), Dr. Prince Ofori Amponsah, has identified heavy construction works as the cause of rocks falling from the Aburi mountains.
Reports have emerged of rocks tumbling down from the Aburi hills onto the road, causing inconvenience for motorists using that route.
Dr. Amponsah explains that despite the use of wire mesh to shield the rocks, human activities have contributed to the loss of vegetation cover, thereby exposing the fragile materials.
“These rocks are not quite stable. Initially, they shouldn’t have been a problem because we have vegetation cover on them. However, due to the construction that we have done, we have exposed these weak materials. And these weak materials that we have exposed over time are still going to come out of where they are originally, because of the initial weakness they have. I can say that some level of mesh solution has been put on those rocks.
“There is a wire mesh that we use to protect sections of the rocks. However, once we have the road there and then we have degradation of land and people continuously building on top of the mountain and exposing these weak rocks to the surface,” Dr. Ofori Amponsah explained.
He urged the government to intervene promptly to prevent future disasters.
“This problem is not going to stop until there is an intervention by the government, so that when people are building, they will follow building codes and standards. Also taking into account the kind of geology we have there, this problem is going to persist,” the geologist stated.
The stadium has been designated as the venue for the 2024 Africa Games, which will be hosted by Ghana.
Construction work on the University of Ghana Sports Stadium began in 2004 and has continued for nearly 20 years.
This project exemplifies the government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure within the country.
Once finalized, the stadium will serve as an alternative to the Accra Sports Stadium and will offer a range of impressive features.
In addition to the main sporting arena, the facility will house a modern gym, a conference center, and a restaurant.
It will also provide a dedicated sports ground for the university’s students.
As the University ofGhana Sports Stadium approaches its final stages of completion, there is an architectural representation available to showcase the expected appearance of the stadium when finished.
A lecturer at the University of Georgia, Dr. Fatima Mohammed, has voiced dissatisfaction over the Members of Parliaments’ (MPs) stance on the LGBTQ law, which has been discussed and given a second reading in the House.
This comes after Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, urged House opponents of the anti-gay measure to stand up and be counted.
He asked the question following the presentation of the committee report on the bill to the house for discussion by Mr. Anyimadu Antwi, chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs.
As the bill was being heard for the second time in the House, religious leaders from the Christian and Muslim communities stormed the Parliament.
Mr. Bagbin however added that considering the numbers in the house on Wednesday July 5, 2023 he will still open the floor for the debate.
Speaking to the media the news the College of Journalism and Mass Communication lecturer said human rights are not something you can pick and choose what you want.
“It is really heartbreaking because looking at our Parliament we know a lot of Parliamentarians are lawyers and they know what human rights are and they understand what it means to go after the rights of individuals are. So it is sad to hear that this bill is going forward and that the rights of LGBTQ rights are going to be infringed upon. They cannot live in dignity in their own country.
“We are talking about the rights of individuals here, we are talking about protecting the right to live in freedom and in dignity and the right to live and regard as human beings in their own country. These are people from all parts of the country and who are members of the society,” Dr. Fatima stated.
She continued: “So to criminalize their very existence is just disappointing and I am actually very sad that Parliamentarians who initially opposed the bill are currently in support of it. Of-course when the first version of the bill came out in 2021 it was actually described by media organizations across the world as the most homophobic bill that will ever see the light of day in the entire world.”
Richmond Xavier Amoakoh, better known by his stage name Lawyer Nti, said he once found fame to be “strangling” even though he had yearned and prayed for it.
Talking about some of the effects of being called a celebrity on Class FM, he said “If you had asked me this a few years ago, I would have said a few things,” he answered.
However, “today,” he added, “I don’t think I can say anything.”
Currently, “the things I probably don’t like about this [being popular], in a way, helps me to be a better person,” he remarked.
“This is how it is. I am doing my work, hoping that people get to see it and appreciate me for it,” he said. “I’m getting that and then now I feel, you [members of the public] are in my business too much.”
The irony of it all is not lost on the Kejetia vs Makola hit TV series star.
“But I put myself out there,” he said. “I was hoping – years ago, when we were doing the stage plays and all, I was hoping that one of them would blow up [be massively successful]. It happen[ed], and because I wasn’t prepared for this, because it was, boom!, because nothing really can prepare you for something like this, I felt – it was strangling at a point.”
The fame and attention “was suffocating,” he stressed.
On a regular day “if I’m walking along the street,” he said, “naturally,” he wants to be that “normal person” but the contrary happens as “some of the people” point at him asking their friends to come have a look.
Though this is uncomfortable, he said having celebrity is something he once “prayed” and “hoped for” and “God listened to my prayers and he gave it to me”.
“Not just that,” he said, noting that people react how they do in his presence because “they love me, they love what I do, they love the effect I have on them, and so they’re appreciating me.”
The University of Ghana, Legon, School of Performing Arts graduate expressed his gladness for the fact that when people see him and his craft, irrespective of their circumstances, whether “broke or brokenhearted,” they laugh and are made happy.
Bemoaning that some fans “don’t have boundaries” and get oddly touchy, he remarked: “it’s all out of love”.
The scariest part of stardom, Lawyer Nti also said, is “people expecting you to live in a certain kind of way”.
He said it is worse when “you know that it is not within your means.”
Reacting to host Nana Kwesi Asare’s observation that 2017 was his peak, he said, “Yes, I was everywhere, I had a lot of opportunities to make all the money, but yeah, some of them I couldn’t [utilise].”
He explained: “I can’t just turn my life upside down to please everyone because you want me to live a certain kind of way, you want me to be a certain kind of person…”
He noted that some people found his on-screen and off-screen personas contradictory.
“…you want me to see you and go crazy, you know, fool around,” he said. “So people see me and they are like: ‘Ah, on TV you’re like this but [in person] you’re quiet.”
For him, this is “the big thing I didn’t like” about being a popular entertainment or public figure.
He said the ordinary Richmond Xavier Amoakoh is “quiet, in-door, very few friends, reserved, shy,” which is “totally opposite” the Lawyer Nti character he is famed for.
He stressed that the two are worlds apart.
He said he has been criticised for wearing caps, and during the pandemic, nose masks, because some people said he was disguising himself.
Meanwhile, “the person too was wearing a nose mask,” he jokingly observed.
Noting that the public reaction anytime he is seen outside “was scary,” he said it prompted his retreat to “take care of myself”.
“I had to take time, away from all that, to work on myself,” he said.
So, between 2017 and 2020, “I had given so much and pretended to be the person they wanted me to be – a lot of the times – few times, I gave them [the real] me and most people didn’t like it – but then, I felt, I had missed out on me, so I needed to step back, and go back to myself, reconnect with myself and with God too, and it has done great [things] for me,” he narrated.
He said he loves “the way that I have matured” and “the growth” which, to him, is part of the journey and makes it all complete.
A research fellow at the Institute of African Studies (IAS) in the University of Ghana, Prof. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, has called for a modification of Ghana’s Constitution to enable swift dismissal of underperforming governments.
In a tweet shared on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Dr Kpessa-Whyte said that waiting to change an incompetent government after four is too long a time and costly.
He suggested that a democratic system that allows non-performing presidents to be removed before elections would save the country a lot of resources.
“Ghana needs a constitutional provision to allow “we the people” to cut short the incompetence of any government through a democratic RECALL so that we can collectively avoid burden of waiting and wasting away under a locked-in election cycle,” the academic wrote.
The Constitution of Ghana allows for a change in government after every four years through presidential elections.
Also, presidents are allowed to serve for only two terms. Each term is made up of four years, meaning presidents can serve for a maximum of 8 years.
In response to the viral video and images circulating on social media, the University of Ghana (UG) has released a statement to address the situation, clarifying the misspelling of the word “University” on a UG-branded vehicle.
According to UG’s management, the incident was a result of a poor branding job carried out approximately one month ago.
The university explained that they had engaged the services of a reputable institution to refurbish the vehicle, which included re-spraying.
The statement which was signed by Dr. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah the director of public affairs further explained that during the re-spraying process, the original branding was removed, and a new one was applied and upon the delivery of the vehicle to the Cape Coast Learning Centre on May 25th, two significant errors were identified.
Firstly, the word “University” had been misspelled, appearing as “Unviversty.” Secondly, the UG logo had been mistakenly placed upside down.
“The attention of the University of Ghana has been drawn to a video circulating on social media about the wrong spelling of the word “University” in the branding on a vehicle belonging to the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Cape Coast Learning Centre.
“The poorly done branding was removed about a month ago.
“The facts of the matter are as follows:
“The University of Ghana (UG) contracted a reputable institution to refurbish the vehicle, including re-spraying.During the re-spraying, the original branding was removed and replaced with a new one.
“When the vehicle was delivered to the Cape Coast Learning Centre on May 25th, two major errors were identified: first, the word “University” had been misspelt; second, the UG logo had been turned upside down.”
The management added that, in response to the incident, UG’s Works Department of the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD) was tasked with arranging for a new branding process to rectify the mistakes made.
Additionally, the UG emphasized that the video circulating on social media was taken at the premises of the sprayer and not at the University of Ghana itself. Therefore, they requested that the university community and the general public disregard the video in question.
“Subsequently, arrangements have been made with the Works Department of UG’s Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD) to have a new branding done.
“It must be pointed out that the video in circulation was taken at the premises of the sprayer and not at the University of Ghana. The University community should, therefore, disregard the video in circulation.”
Read the full statement below:
The attention of the University of Ghana has been drawn to a video circulating on social media about the wrong spelling of the word “University” in the branding on a vehicle belonging to the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Cape Coast Learning Centre.
The poorly done branding was removed about a month ago.
The facts of the matter are as follows:
The University of Ghana (UG) contracted a reputable institution to refurbish the vehicle, including re-spraying.
During the re-spraying, the original branding was removed and replaced with a new one. When the vehicle was delivered to the Cape Coast Learning Centre on May 25th, two major errors were identified: first, the word “University” had been misspelt; second, the UG logo had been turned upside down.
As a result, the vehicle was immediately returned for the entire branding to be removed.
Subsequently, arrangements have been made with the Works Department of UG’s Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD) to have a new branding done. It must be pointed out that the video in circulation was taken at the premises of the sprayer and not at the University of Ghana. The University community should, therefore, disregard the video in circulation.
Dr. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS
One of Ghana’s leading tertiary institutions, University of Ghana (UG) has reacted to a recent viral video and pictures circulating on social media, showing a UG-branded vehicle with the misspelled word “University.”
According to UG’s management, the incident was a result of a poor branding job carried out approximately one month ago.
The university explained that they had engaged the services of a reputable institution to refurbish the vehicle, which included re-spraying.
The statement which was signed by Dr. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah the director of public affairs further explained that during the re-spraying process, the original branding was removed, and a new one was applied and upon the delivery of the vehicle to the Cape Coast Learning Centre on May 25th, two significant errors were identified.
Firstly, the word “University” had been misspelled, appearing as “Unviversty.” Secondly, the UG logo had been mistakenly placed upside down.
“The attention of the University of Ghana has been drawn to a video circulating on social media about the wrong spelling of the word “University” in the branding on a vehicle belonging to the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Cape Coast Learning Centre.
“The poorly done branding was removed about a month ago.
“The facts of the matter are as follows:
“The University of Ghana (UG) contracted a reputable institution to refurbish the vehicle, including re-spraying.During the re-spraying, the original branding was removed and replaced with a new one.
“When the vehicle was delivered to the Cape Coast Learning Centre on May 25th, two major errors were identified: first, the word “University” had been misspelt; second, the UG logo had been turned upside down.”
The management added that, in response to the incident, UG’s Works Department of the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD) was tasked with arranging for a new branding process to rectify the mistakes made.
Additionally, the UG emphasized that the video circulating on social media was taken at the premises of the sprayer and not at the University of Ghana itself. Therefore, they requested that the university community and the general public disregard the video in question.
“Subsequently, arrangements have been made with the Works Department of UG’s Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD) to have a new branding done.
“It must be pointed out that the video in circulation was taken at the premises of the sprayer and not at the University of Ghana. The University community should, therefore, disregard the video in circulation.”
Read the full statement below:
The attention of the University of Ghana has been drawn to a video circulating on social media about the wrong spelling of the word “University” in the branding on a vehicle belonging to the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Cape Coast Learning Centre.
The poorly done branding was removed about a month ago.
The facts of the matter are as follows:
The University of Ghana (UG) contracted a reputable institution to refurbish the vehicle, including re-spraying.
During the re-spraying, the original branding was removed and replaced with a new one.
When the vehicle was delivered to the Cape Coast Learning Centre on May 25th, two major errors were identified: first, the word “University” had been misspelt; second, the UG logo had been turned upside down.
As a result, the vehicle was immediately returned for the entire branding to be removed.
Subsequently, arrangements have been made with the Works Department of UG’s Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD) to have a new branding done.
It must be pointed out that the video in circulation was taken at the premises of the sprayer and not at the University of Ghana. The University community should, therefore, disregard the video in circulation.
John Dumelo, a Ghanaian actor turned politician, has demonstrated his generosity by gifting streetlights to the security personnel of the University of Ghana, Legon. This thoughtful gesture aims to enhance the safety and security of the university community by providing adequate lighting in key areas. John Dumelo’s act of kindness reflects his commitment to the welfare of others and his desire to contribute positively to his community.
In a tweet, he indicated that the initiative was to help reduce the attacks by armed thieves on students on the Evandy and Bani hostel stretch road.
“Last night, I donated floodlights/streetlights to the University of Ghana (Legon) security to be fixed on the Evandy/Bani hostel stretch of the road. This will help brighten that road and hopefully reduce attacks by armed thieves on students.”
The parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) pledged to provide more streetlights to make the entire university campus safe for all students.
“I will be donating more street lights in the upcoming weeks to brighten up the entire Legon campus,” he assured.
A lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG) has allegedly been subjected to severe injuries during an armed robbery incident on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
According to a social media user, Raphael Akavani, the lecturer was attacked close to the office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at Legon.
The robbers inflicted cutlass wounds on the hand of the lecturer and other parts of his body as they were trying to rob him.
They managed to steal the lecturer’s laptop, phones and other belongings.
A picture of the victim shared on Twitter showed that his right hand was badly injured.
Amidst Ghana’s economic crisis, the government is seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international organizations to navigate the challenging circumstances, which are attributed to factors such as the impact of COVID-19 and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War; however, many Ghanaians hold the belief that the current hardships stem from inadequate economic management by the government.
Speaking with 3news.com, some Ghanaians on the streets of Accra share how they have been compelled by the prevailing hardship in the country to resort to multiple sources of income to survive.
A section of the educated ones, who have permanent jobs have also resorted to doing menial jobs when they are off duty to supplement their incomes.
In an interview with our reporter, Clara Boadi Konadu, Madam Liliff Akpaok a ‘pragya’ driver, disclosed that she decided to drive the tricycle because her salary is not sufficient.
“Although I work as a security at the University of Ghana, I realized my salary was not enough. Not because the amount was too small or maybe I was living above my means, but prices of utilities, goods and services especially food stuffs have increased, ” she said.
She continued that, “I realized I had a qualified licence to drive a motorbike and all that I needed was a licence ‘A’ which could enable me drive a ‘pragya’ in Accra. So, I upgraded myself to acquire a licence which could permit me drive a ‘pragya’.”
Although Liliff says it is tiring and out of the ordinary for a woman to drive a ‘pragya’ in Accra, she sees it as a blessing hence drives during her off- days and when she is on leave. She also touts the profitability of the venture as she gets enough to supplement her salary, thus meet her financial obligations.
Liliff believes that the ‘pragya’ business has really helped to take a significant number of the teeming unemployed youth off the streets. This, according to her, has reduced social vices in the urban areas.
She there urged the government to consider the benefits of the ‘pragya’ business and refrain from banning it.
The Government of Ghana has recently secured a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which comes with numerous conditionalities. Amongst such policies is an increase in utilities by 18.36% amidst the regular increase of prices in fuel and petroleum products which has worsened the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.
The structure of Ghana’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests a potential extension, according to economist and professor of finance, Professor Godfred Bokpin.
According to the finance professor at the University of Ghana, the pathway to restoring macroeconomic stability by 2026 with the current conditionalities would require an extension of the programme for the objectives to be achieved.
Moreover, the programme, he observed, did not provide the fundamental restructuring the country needed to not enter an IMF programme in future.
“If you look at the objectives and the adjustments in the programme and when we are supposed to restore debt sustainability, and looking at the way we have managed our affairs, especially in an election year, you will almost predict with certainty that there would be an extension of the programme.”
He was speaking at the Graphic-Stanbic Breakfast meeting on the theme: “The current economic situation and you.”
Prof Bokpin noted that theprogramme had proposed a cut down on capital expenditure to restore the economy even though Ghana had a huge infrastructure deficit.
He observed that failure to improve capital expenditure over time would lead to an inability to maintain or add to the stock of infrastructure, which in the medium to long term, would impose restrictions on the growth drivers of the economy.
“If you look at how many hours it takes the average Ghanaian to get to work and the productive hours we spend in traffic, and its effect on productivity, you will have to be unique to think that this country will make if we don’t do something fundamental about this,” he said.
Ghana would, therefore, require bulk of fiscal adjustments coming from debt restructuring to maintain a primary surplus of not be less than 10 per cent to achieve a sustainable debt level within the next five years.
The country, he, however, noted, had restructured less than 50 per cent of its domestic debt.
It had a universe of eligible domestic debt of 259 billion cedis to be restructured as at the end of 2022, he explained.
So far, he said, it had only restructured 85 per cent of GHS98 billion, with more than GHS123 billion debt to be restructured.
This debt, he mentioned, included cocoa bills, Bank of Ghana overdraft extension to government, and pension fund.
As far as external debt was concerned, he said Ghana had a financing gap in terms of balance of payment of about $15 billion, while the IMF was providing US$3 billion.
That, he noted, left the country with no option than to rely on external debt restructuring.
“Ghana is looking forward to more than US$10 billion in debt relief, fresh funding from external bilateral and external commercial partners. Is that not too much to ask from somebody else?” he asked.
He called for prudent measures to manage the revenue, generated rather than introducing more taxes, which was often lost to corruption and wastage.
Mr Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director for Energy Think Tank, Africa Centre for Energy Policy, urged the government to “meet citizens halfway’’ by implementing strategic reforms in the public sector – by downsizing government, improving monitoring of procurement, and reducing waste in the energy sector.
He said the biggest crime of the country was the procurement system.
“The procurement system has been consistently reviewed but we know that corruption is so massive in our procurement process,’’ he stated.
To buttress his point, he said that a recent track of contracts awarded by the government to his outfit revealed that many governments contract above one-million dollars did not go through a competitive tendering process.
To improve accountability and advocacy to address this challenge, he charged the citizens to be critical of certain ‘’ bad decisions’’ of the government because the negative implication of those decisions were not selective.
“It is not enough to say I am minding my business because when the decisions start biting like the we experienced, you would suffer regardless of who you are, but ensuring that the government works for the people is the job of all of us,’’ he stressed.
Mr Timothy Mugodi, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking of Stanbic Ghana, advised the accumulation and building of reserve at the micro and macro- economic levels to build resilience against economic downturns.
‘’We all need to create some reserve from whatever we earn so that we can allocate a percentage of that into savings so that when we go through a troubled patch, you are able to cope,’’ he said.
TheUniversity of Ghanahas received fifty (50) laptops from Stanbic Bank Ghana as part of efforts to develop, promote, and deliver better Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in the country.
This is in line with the bank’s commitment to help Ghana harness the opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution by partnering and creating relevant, episodic initiatives aimed at equipping the next generation of workers with the necessary competencies.
Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank, Kwamina Asomaningwho presented the laptops on behalf of the bank noted that the bank’s purpose, brand
promise, and the digitization & innovation pillars of their strategy, make STEM (for girls) a natural fit and an area meriting special focus and investment.
He said, “Africa is our home and has been for over 160 years. Today, our commitment to her people and her prosperity is stronger than ever.
As a member of the Standard Bank Group, Stanbic Bank Ghana is committed to adding value to key development levers, one of which is education.”
That is why we continue to partner with like-minded institutions to support needy students who have gifted learning capacity and provide them with basic support tools.
Every student deserves access to digital resources in order to succeed and thrive in the 4th industrial revolution, and this is one of the things we can do as a Bank to impact their journeys and generations”.
He said Stanbic Bank was passionate about
equitable access to STEM education and had over the years contributed positively towards closing the STEM gender gap to foster sustained inclusion and equality for generations to come.
“We have partnered many academic institutions and FinTechs to deliver a number of STEM related projects which have so far given beneficiaries access to about 300 mentors and advisors across 48 disciplines and technical areas, access to structured training programs and curriculum, internship opportunities with Stanbic Bank, and other partners.
This 1S1L is a very laudable initiative that strongly aligns with our vision as a bank, specifically when it comes to finding ways to make dreams possible. I encourage other corporate organizations to emulate our steps and support this worthy cause.”
Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, expressed gratitude to the Stanbic team for their support.
She said, “We are very grateful to Stanbic Bank for
positively responding to our call for support once again. As a university, it is our mandate to ensure that students get quality, inclusive, and equitable education.
Digital skills are critical skills graduates need in today’s world to maximize their potential, make them employable and succeed in the world of work.
The vision is to equip every student with digital skills irrespective of their discipline and financial background. My team and I have witnessed Stanbic Bank’s genuine concern for the development of Ghana as their subsidiary, Stanbic Investment Management System were with us when we launched this project and have not relented in their support. So far, we have received a total of 75 laptops from Stanbic under this 1S1L initiative. We are grateful and look forward to more strategic partnerships with Stanbic Bank,” she added
Stanbic donated (40) laptops in support of the Vice Chancellors’ One Student One Laptop (1S1L) initiative and Ten (10) laptops to the Department of Communication Studies. The 1S1L initiative, which
forms part of the Vice Chancellor’s strategic vision of enhancing the University of Ghana students’ experience through digitalization, seeks to make it possible for every student at the university to be able to access online resources, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds. About 6,000 students are expected to benefit from this initiative.
Stanbic Bank has over the years supported several initiatives aimed at enhancing STEM education in Ghana.
Last year, the bank collaborated with the Women in STEM Ghana (WiSTEM) to train, equip and inspire 200 girls from 23 senior high schools to learn and develop their skills and knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Many other educational institutions have benefited from the bank’s STEM focused interventions, including KNUST, Takoradi Technical University, Sunyani School of Professional Studies, Blessed Holy Child Academy etc.
The late Professor Ama Ata Aidoo, née Christina Ama Aidoo was born on 23 March 1940 at Saltpond.
The Ghanaian author, poet, playwright and academic, was also a former Minister of Education in the Ghana government.
Ama Ata Aidoo who received international recognition as one of the most prominent African writers of the 20th and 21st centuries wrote her first play, The Dilemma of a Ghost, in 1964.
For more than fifty years she has produced top-notch plays including Anowa, Pittsburgh, Our Sister KillJoy, her first novel published in 1977.
In 2000, Aidoo founded the Mbaasem Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in Ghana with a mission “to support the development and sustainability of African women writers and their artistic output”.
The academician who studied at the University of Ghana, Legon and held a fellowship in creative writing at Stanford University in California, was appointed Minister of Education under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in 1982.
She resigned after 18 months, realising that she would be unable to achieve her aim of making education in Ghana freely accessible to all.
Below are some of the interesting books by the late author:
Dilemma of a Ghost (1965): The story revolves around Ato Yawson, a Ghanaian who completes his studies in the United States and returns to Ghana with his American wife, Eulalie.
It becomes evident from the start that Eulalie is different from the local girls, creating a potential for conflict.
Changes: A Love Story (1991) : The story chronicles a phase in the life of a career-focused Ghanaian woman, as she goes through a divorce from her first husband and enters into a polygamist marriage.
Our Sister Killjoy (1977): Presented in a prose-verse form, the narrative delves into the thoughts and experiences of Sissie, whose perspective is influenced by her encounters with the Western world and its contrast to her homeland. Along the way, she confronts the hypocrisy and corruption of the African elite. The story not only explores the dynamics of modern African society but also sheds light on the challenges faced by women worldwide.
No sweetness here and other stories(1970): This is another collection of short stories that depict the lives of ordinary people in post-independence Ghana, especially women and children. The stories deal with themes such as poverty, oppression, violence, love and survival. The book was first published by Longman in 1970 and has been reprinted several times by different publishers, including The Feminist Press at CUNY in 1969.
Anowa(1970): Anowa, characterized by her independent spirit, possesses her own unique perspectives. While she eventually finds a partner in Kofi Ako whom she decides to marry, her parents, particularly her mother, express disappointment in her choice. Disheartened by her parents’ reaction, Anowa decides to leave her family and embark on a journey with Kofi Ako. Although she loves him, she begins to realize that he is not entirely her ideal match.
Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories (2012): This collection comprises twelve exquisitely crafted short stories that solidify the author’s esteemed status as a leading writer in Africa and beyond. Through her delicate and distinctive writing style, Aidoo explores ordinary subjects from fresh and unique perspectives. Her work challenges traditional norms, prompting readers to reexamine long-held beliefs and offering new insights into familiar themes.
An angry letter in January and other poems (1992): This thought-provoking poem intertwines themes of feminism and anti-racism as it responds to a letter from a bank. Beginning with the conventional tone of a response letter to a financial institution, the poem delves deeper to explore these important social issues.
The girl who can and other stories (1999): This collection of short stories serves as a powerful exploration of female empowerment. The author, an education administrator, passionately addresses the issue of limited educational opportunities for women in her contemporary Africa. Firmly believing in the transformative power of education, she advocates for women’s rights and strives to ensure that their progress aligns with the development of the newly independent nation. As a woman born in post-independent Ghana, she embarks on a courageous journey to fight for the rights of women and empower them with a new sense of identity.
After the Ceremonies: New and selected poems (2017): The poems featured in this collection delve into various themes, including colonialism, independence, motherhood, and gender, approaching them with an intimate and personal perspective while also offering commentary on wider social issues. The collection, titled “After the Ceremonies,” is organized into three sections, comprising both newly written poems and previously unpublished works.
Ghana, where the bead Speaks (2008): This captivating book is a vibrant, full-color volume spanning 106 pages. It brings together the poetic musings of renowned African woman writer, Ama Ata Aidoo, on the significance of beads within our society. Complementing Aidoo’s poetic reflections, the book also features an enlightening essay by Esi Sutherland-Addy, a professor of African Studies at the University of Ghana. Together, they provide a compelling exploration of the cultural and symbolic importance of beads in our lives.
Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories (2012): In this collection of stories, the author celebrates the nuances of friendships and love while delving into the complexities of African Diaspora connections. The narratives explore the challenges and feelings of disconnectedness that arise from navigating different cultures, specifically Africa and the West, resulting in a sense of anomie and fragmentation. Aidoo’s keen interest lies in portraying the universal vulnerabilities and imperfections that are inherent to human nature. Through her stories, she sheds light on the shared human experiences that transcend cultural boundaries.
The Eagle and the Chickens and Other Stories (1986): The book contains short stories for children, teaching them
Birds and Other Poems (1989): This enchanting series of stories is crafted specifically for young readers, aiming to foster a love of reading from an early age. Accompanied by vibrant illustrations, these tales captivate young imaginations and inspire a lifelong passion for books. Whether enjoyed at home, in the classroom, or within school libraries, this collection is an essential addition to any literary collection dedicated to nurturing young minds.
The Eagle and the Chickens: A Story Retold(1986): This is a children’s book that retells a traditional African tale about an eagle who grows up among chickens and does not realize his true identity until he meets another eagle. The story teaches a lesson about self-discovery and courage. The book was published by the Ministry of Education, Curriculum Development Unit in Zimbabwe in the 1980s.
African Love Stories: An Anthology (2006): This is an anthology of love stories by African women writers from various countries and backgrounds. The stories celebrate the diversity and complexity of love in Africa, challenging the stereotypes and clichés that often dominate the representation of African romance.
The Supreme Court will need to reconsider its stance that a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship, according toRansford Gyampo, a professor at the University of Ghana.
He said the position of the apex court on this document calls into question the relevance of the Birth and Death Registry.
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, May 27, Prof Gyampo said “I am wondering about Birth and Death Registry, what will be their relevance if birth and death certificate is not proof of citizenship?
“It is quite worrying, I believe we should begin to rethink this otherwise we should scrap the Birth and Death Registry.”
On FridayMay 26 while answering questions at her vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, the Chief Justice nominee Gertrude Torkornoo said while reiterating the Supreme Court’s position on the document that a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship.
She stated that it is rather a record of one’s birth location.
It is recalled that the Supreme Court in it’s ruling on the matter of theNational Democratic Congress (NDC) and another vs the Attorney General, said that birth certificates could not be proof of citizenship.
“A birth certificate is not a form of identification. It does not establish the identity of the bearer. Nor does it link the holder with the information on the certificate. Quite obviously, it provides no evidence of citizenship,” the Supreme Court verdict said in part.
“In fact, as a form of Identification, it is worse than the NHIA card which was held to be unconstitutional as evidence of identification of a person who applies for registration as a voter,” the court said.
Madam Torkornoo at her vetting said “Citizenship is a matter of law, nationality is a matter of law. In certain jurisdictions, being born in that place makes you a citizen of that country, [but] in our country, being born in Ghana doesn’t make you a citizen of Ghana.
“It is your relationship with your mother, it is your mother’s identity, your father’s identity, it is your lineage that determines your citizenship. So[birth certificate] is just an international requirement, we must know where everyone is born. But beyond that, your nationality is derived from that form, the evidence on that form.”
A prestigious 2023 edition of the Global 2000 List by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) indicates that theUniversity of Ghanahas reached a noteworthy milestone by ranking among the top 6.1% of world-class universities.
This outstanding recognition solidifies the University’s position as the leading institution in Ghana and the second-best in West Africa.
The CWUR’s rigorous assessment process evaluated 20,531 universities worldwide, with only the top 2000 making it to the Global 2000 list. The rankings were based on seven objective indicators across four areas, which are, education quality, alumni employment, faculty quality, and research performance.
Scoring an impressive 69.1, the University of Ghana secured the top spot in Ghana. In the West Africa Region, the University of Ghana’s remarkable performance positioned it as the second-best University, just behind Nigeria’s University of Ibadan, which achieved a score of 69.5.
This notable achievement comes at a time that the University is celebrating its 75th Anniversary and is testament to the University of Ghana’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and holistic student development over its 75 years of existence.
The University’s impressive performance in key areas such as academic reputation, research output, faculty quality, international collaborations, and graduate employability, solidifies its reputation as an intellectual hub and provider of high-quality education.
Reacting to the ranking, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University, expressed her joy and attributed this success to the resilience, dedication and hard work of the faculty, staff, and students. She emphasised that this achievement reflects the University’s collective commitment to excellence and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
The Premier University’s recognition as the leading institution in the country and the second-best in West Africa is a source of immense pride for the nation as it has long been regarded as a beacon of higher education. The University has and continues to nurture generations of leaders, scholars, and professionals who contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Ghana and beyond.
With this remarkable milestone, the University of Ghana has firmly established itself as a leading force in academia, setting new benchmarks for higher education in Ghana in particular and West Africa as a whole. Background
Since 2012, the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) has been publishing the academic ranking of global universities that assesses the quality of education, employability, quality of faculty, and research without relying on surveys and university data submissions.
The ranking started out as a project in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with the aim of rating the top 100 world universities. It was quickly reported worldwide by universities and the media, and many requests were received to expand it. In 2019, the ranking expanded to list the top 2000 out of nearly twenty thousand universities worldwide, making it the largest academic ranking of global universities.
Details of the 2023 Edition captures the CWUR seven objective and robust indicators grouped into four areas to rank the world’s universities.
For Education, the assessment is based on the academic success of a university’s alumni, and measured by the number of a university’s alumni who have won prestigious academic distinctions relative to the university’s size and attracts 25% of the scores.
Employability is the second area assessed and is based on the professional success of a university’s alumni, and measured by the number of a university’s alumni who have held top positions at major companies relative to the university’s size which also attracts 25%.
10% of the scores are dedicated to Faculty, which is measured by the number of faculty members who have won prestigious academic distinctions.
On Research area, the assessment is focused on, Research Output measured by the total number of research papers (10%); High-Quality Publications, measured by the number of research papers appearing in top-tier journals (10%); Influence, measured by the number of research papers appearing in highly-influential journals (10%) and Citations, measured by the number of highly-cited research papers (10%).
TheUniversity of Ghana‘s (UG) administration has defended its decision to provide some of its students a 2% reduction on the 15% fee increase for the 2022/2023 academic year.
Professor Ransford Gyampo who is a member of the University’s Communication Team said the criticisms of the public regarding the discount are unfair because the University approved the discount based on humanitarian grounds and not an obligation.
There was an impasse between UG Management, student leaders, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) over the 15% increase in fees.
The approved discount covers fee-paying programmes, programmes at the Accra City Campus and distance education programmes.
Giving details on why the discount was approved on Eyewitness News, Prof. Gyampo said: “We were taken to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education and the Committee convened a meeting comprising the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), GTEC, and UG Management and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education agreed that we had not charged any illegal fees but also appealed that we reduce the fees for the students especially fee-paying students. So this is purely a kind gesture by the University and not an obligation.”
“This was just a kind gesture purely on humanitarian grounds and not an obligation at all and so the University had the liberty and discretion to use this gesture in the best way it thinks will help students and as I said, these are cohorts of students that are paying higher fees compared to the regular students and so Management and Council decided to give the discount to the fee-paying students,” Prof Gyampo added.
The Council of the University of Ghana has approved a one-time discount of 2% on the 15% fee increment for some of its students for the 2022/2023 academic year.
This comes on the back of an approval by Parliament for the academic year.
The discounts apply to full fee-paying programmes, programmes at the Accra City Campus and distance education programmes.
There was an impasse between UG Management, student leaders, National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) over the 15% increase in fees.
GTEC had directed all public tertiary institutions to review fees for the next academic year by a maximum 15 percent increment.
The directive followed numerous complaints that some universities were charging more than the 15% Rate Approved by Parliament, hence the intervention by GTEC.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Education appealed to the University of Ghana to consider offering a discount on fees for the current academic year to lessen the burden on students.
A statement signed by Dr. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyak, Director of Public Affairs Directorate of the University of Ghana said, “In response to the appeal by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education, the University Council approved a one-time discount of 2% on the 15% fee increase approved by Parliament for the 2022/2023 academic year, for the following programmes: Full fee-paying programmes, Programmes at the Accra City Campus and Distance Education Programmes. This discount has been applied to the accounts of affected students. Affected students may contact the Students Accounts Office for any enquiries through students’ accounts”.
Lance Corporal Lancelot Allotey of the Ghana Police Service graduated from the University of Ghana as the class valedictorian with a 3.82 Final Grade Point Average (FGPA).
After completing the March 2023 congregation’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program, he finished top of his class with a major in music.
Allotey attended the Presbyterian Senior High Technical School in Aburi in the past. He joined the Brass Ensemble of the Department of Music in 2018 when he enrolled at the institution, with a focus on playing the trumpet. He quickly rose to the position of principal trumpet in several performances, departmental concerts, and student musicals.
He is married with two children. Delivering the Valedictory speech on behalf of his colleagues, Lance Corporal Allotey recounted how he was able to combine work and schooling.
“My first few weeks on campus were quite difficult, being both a student and a worker.
After my night duty shift, I had to report to the class the next morning and then back to work in the evening after lectures.
“There were times when I struggled to stay awake during lectures, but as the saying goes, ‘you cannot cheat nature,’” he said.
He further expressed appreciation to the university’s management for giving them an environment conducive for teaching, learning, and research.
The first time I watched this piece, it was staged at the ETS Drama Studio, University of Ghana, Legon. I totally enjoyed it even back then. I enjoyed the concept and how a whole story was told through dance and it caught my attention from beginning to end. It was not boring, and it was not one of those abstract dance with movements and rhythm that always seem to go right over my head. I usually have some difficulty understanding those ones.
Addiction was different, and I loved it totally. So when I heard that it was running again, I knew it would be awesome, and I was not wrong at all. The show opened with the younger ones setting the stage ablaze with some sweet dance moves. Those children know how to dance so much that they make some of us feel old. The flips and splits got me pretty excited.
Then comes the main show and I loved how it started off with personified addictions on a mission to get victims. Their demeanor in their dance moves said it all; vicious, vile and without mercy. It was quite fascinating to see them gather their victims right from dancers planted in the audience. I don’t know if the organisers planned to send this particular message across but to me it revealed that people with addictions are with us, and not special castaways rotting in some pit. It could be you, or me, anyone is either actively involved, or is a target.
Then we see the individual addiction dances and each dance is perfectly choreographed with props, lights, shadows, sound effects and well synchronized dance moves. I mean, even the darkness on stage told a story and it was beautiful and amazing to watch. Each story was told differently and I like how the beginning of almost each addition doesn’t start off as intense as it eventually pans out to be. It’s almost always a harmless little fun, till you realize your mind has actually become a prisoner to a behaviour that you thought was just harmless.
The costume was on point for all the scenes and the make up and props also told a story so great. The music used was also very appropriate for each scene and added on to it.
A special kudos to the light design team for a yeoman’s job. Great work there.
And a special kudos to the VDF team for introducing the fact that addictions are not broken by yourself, you need help on a higher level and it was portrayed beautifully at the end. They also portrayed that it is normal to slip and fall, but it’s always pertinent to keep fighting against it.
To Vivian and her team, you have done amazingly well. Addiction is a whole ministry and people, especially the young ones need to see it. I wish it will move from school to school or churches for them to see it. I hope individuals will support this for it to grow. Addiction is a very powerful tool to get humans off each addictive spirit and mindset holding them captive.
I encourage you to watch it anytime you hear it’s showing, even if you’ve already seen it, it hits differently, every time.
The Member of Parliament for the Subin constituency in the Ashanti region, Eugene Boakye Antwi, has alleged that President Akufo-Addo and NPP hopeful, Alan Kyerematen, engaged in vote buying during the 2007 NPP congress.
He revealed the breakdown of monies paid by top politicians of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during two consecutive congresses.
The MP specifically cited the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2007 presidential primaries held at the University of Ghana, Legon as well as the 2010 round-off primaries of the party.
According to him, most of the contestants tried to influence the election outcome by using money, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The MP mentioned some of the key contenders in that election, including Alan Kyerematen, Hackman Owusu Agyeman, and Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, among others, alleging that all of them paid huge sums of money to try and sway the election in their favour, however, despite their financial clout, they all lost to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who emerged as the winner in all the two consecutive congresses.
Speaking in an interview with Hello FM on April 20, 2023, he disclosed that during the 2007 NPP congress, the then-flagbearer of the party, now the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, paid three hundred Ghana cedis, in comparison, five other candidates, including Alan Kyerematen, paid five hundred Ghana cedis each.
With respect to the 2010 congress, where Nana Addo went up against Alan Kyerematen, Eugene Boakye Antwi revealed that Nana Addo paid five Ghana cedis, while Alan Kyerematen paid four times that amount, twenty Ghana cedis.
“2007, among the seventeen people who stood for the election, I was Nana Addo Dankwa’s polling Agent at Legon, but about 5 people paid more than Nana Akufo-Addo, Nana Akufo-Addo paid GHS 300.00 and about five people paid five hundred but they didn’t vote for them.
“…let’s go back again, 2010 primaries, Nana Addo and Alan Kyerematen round two, Nana Addo paid GHS 5.00 and Alan Kyerematen paid GHS 20.00, he paid GHS 5.00 and Alan Kyerematen paid four times of it that is GHS 20.00 but the delegates voted for Nana Addo. So is not all about the money,” he said.
His revelations come at a time when there are growing concerns about the role of money in Ghanaian politics and allegations of vote-buying in the party’s upcoming primaries as some party stalwarts and flagbearer hopeful has hinted at displaying cash during the election.
Former dean of the School of Information and Communications Studies at the University of Ghana,Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, has urged media owners to address the miserable working conditions for journalists.
She challenged media owners to improve the appalling working conditions of journalists.
A recent report by the University of Ghana’s Department of Communications Studies in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) dubbed, ‘the State of the Ghanaian media report,’ exposed the poor working conditions of many journalists in Ghana.
The average Ghanaian journalist according to the report earns GH¢500 and GH¢1,000 monthly with many owed arrears over the years.
Speaking to Citi News, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo said the poor working conditions of journalists make them vulnerable.
“Working conditions of journalists are very poor and it makes the practice of journalism even more precarious than you will think it should be. And I really do think that media owners and media managers must be engaged on this very critical issue. Of concern is the politicisation in media ownership, and the fact that it’s opaque, it’s not transparent,” Professor Audrey Gadzekpo suggested.
Some key findings in the report
FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF MEDIA
■ Generally, many media organisations in Ghana are not profitable; they only break even
■ The financial viability of many media organisations in Ghana is threatened.
■ Media in Ghana are creatively exploring new business models to stay alive; including digitization, conglomeration, events marketing and crowdfunding.
■ Digital technologies are fast-changing media financing models in Ghana.
■ Digital media are now a major source of income in the Ghanaian media.
■ One of the biggest threats to the financial health of the media is industry saturation.
WORKING CONDITIONS IN THE GHANAIAN MEDIA
■ Recruitment into the Ghanaian media is generally untransparent.
■ Many people working in the media do not have contracts.
■ There are no established structures for promotion in most media organisations; promotion is largely based on ‘whom you know’ and owners’/managers’ whims.
■ Salaries in the media are woefully low. Some employees work long months without pay.
■ Most media employees have no healthcare support
■ Most media organisations do not provide counselling support for employees who experience trauma in the line of work.
MEDIA OWNERSHIP AND REGULATION
■ In Ghana, media pluralism has not necessarily served the public interest, due mainly to concentration of media in a few hands.
■ Media ownership is shrouded in opacity.
■ There is a growing tendency towards media empire-building.
■ Political faces behind broadcast media ownership mean that partisan actors and governments can control public discourse.
■ The NCA has a laissez-faire attitude to questions about transparency in media ownership.
■ The current regime for broadcast regulation allows considerable power and influence to those whose conduct the media are supposed to check.
SAFETY OF JOURNALISTS
■ There is a growing sense of insecurity among journalists in Ghana
■ Violations of journalists’ safety are quite common in Ghana.
■ Male journalists are more at risk of attacks than females.
■ Investigative journalists are the most at risk of attacks
■ State actors, including political appointees and police are the worst perpetrators of attacks on journalists.
■ Journalists feel that law enforcement agencies and the judiciary do little to protect their safety.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has inaugurated three modern classrooms to help facilitate teaching and learning in the institution.
The classrooms — an upgrade of the existing ones, are equipped with interactive screens, audio visual connectivity, cameras, teaching and learning software among others to allow students have real time lectures and interactions without necessarily being in the lecture halls.
The facilities, are located at the Oracca Tetteh/ Larwey Building &Staff Learning and Resource Centre at the Legon campus, the Basic Science Block at the University of Ghana Medical School at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Accra City Campus.
Commission
Inaugurating the facilities, Prof. Amfo explained that the facilities would help address the challenge of congested lecture halls and the school’s inability to admit qualified students yearly due to accommodation constraints.
The ceremony was part of a tour of the facilities led by the chairperson of the board of the university and former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Julius Fobil; the Registrar of the UG, Emelia Naa Agyei-Mensah and other staff members of the university.
She explained that the facilities were undertaken under the classroom modernisation project.
Initiative
The initiative, Prof. Amfo said, was a long-term project aimed at modernising teaching and learning facilities and expanding access to students.
With that initiative, lecturers and students would have access to modern technology, while allowing them to bring new resources from all over the internet to the classroom.
She indicated that what was being inaugurated was the first phase of the initiative as the second phase was underway.
Prof. Amfo stated that, “this would additionally manage numbers so that we don’t have overcrowded classrooms where students can be at various points and tune in to the classroom.
“Even when lecturers have to be away for conferences and so on, they would still be able to deliver lectures to students, “ she explained.
While charging management and students to ensure that a consistent plan was placed to maintain the equipment, Prof. Amfo assured that there were other projects such as
one student one laptop and also the hotspots comfort zones that were going to be implemented.
Support
The former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, expressed satisfaction at the work done to improve and strengthen the educational systems in the institution.
While commending the 1996 year group of the alumni association for donating the classroom at the Basic Science Block at the University of Ghana Medical School at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, she called on other year groups to contribute their quota in ensuring that the institution remained functional for other generations.
Expansion
Prof. Fobil commended the initiative, explaining that it was an effective measure to alleviate the accommodation needs of the institution.
He added that as a college, they were engaging other existing hospitals and institutions to collectively expand the admission intake to 1,000 students from the next academic year.
“So we are looking at the use of technology to expand the intake of students into the college and institution generally”, he said.
A February 9, 2023 ruling of the High Court presided over by Justice Francis Obiri continues to generate controversy.
This decision granted a request by some students that the University of Ghana puts its residence re-allocation policy on hold.
This new policy among other things seeks to convert the Commonwealth Hall into a Hall of residence for first-year students and graduate students.
The court also in a March 16 ruling declined a request by the University to cross-examine some of the students regarding certain claims they had made in court documents.
These two decisions form a key part of an application by the University asking that Justice Obiri recuses himself from the case because of his connection to the Commonwealth Hall Fraternity while a student.
Copies of these decisions that explain in detail why the judge arrived at these conclusions have popped up.
See full ruling on cross-examination of students;
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE, COMMERCIAL DIVISION “2”
HELD IN ACCRA ON THURSDAY, THE 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023, BEFORE HIS LORDSHIP FRANCIS OBIRI
RULING
On 16th January 2023, the Plaintiffs/Applicants (hereinafter called the Applicants) filed a motion before this Court. The motion is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Defendant by itself, its officers, servants, agents, and whatsoever manner:
From going ahead/taking any steps to implement its new residency policy decided on 26th October 2022 and captured in the minutes of the said meeting signed by Professor Awandare (Chairman) and Pascaline K. Songsore (Secretary) and forwarded to the Vice Chancellor by letter dated 10th November, 2022.
Mandatory order directed at the Defendant to remove from the Commonwealth Hall, all persons newly placed in residence in the Commonwealth Hall, pursuant to the 26th October 2022 new residency policy.
From in any manner interfering with the accrued residency rights of the Applicants and all continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, prior to the new policy.
The motion is supported by affidavit and exhibits. I wish to quote the relevant paragraphs of the affidavit in support in this ruling.
That by a Letter of Admission dated the 20th of December, 2021, the 5th Plaintiff was admitted into the Defendant University to pursue a four (4) year full time study leading to the award of a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Education. (I attach herewith marked as exhibit A, is a copy of the 5th Plaintiff’s letter of Admission in verification)
That Exhibit A is in essence a replica of the admission letters of all the applicants except for the names, the addresses, images of the students and the courses offered to study.
That upon the University’s direction, I applied for and was awarded residence at Commonwealth Hall which is one of the five (5) traditional halls of the university pursuant to which I proceeded to complete registration formalities after which I took residence in the hall. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit B a copy of the 5th Plaintiff’s Residence Allocation letter in verification.
That allocation of halls of residence is on competitive basis and even if allocated, is time-restricted and in terms of costs, the traditional halls are preferred and the most sought after.
That the alternative to the traditional halls is the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited halls residency which is nearly thrice the cost of the traditional halls. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit C and C1 copies of the schedule of provisional residential fees for 2022-2023 academic year for traditional halls and the university of Ghana Enterprises Limited schedule of fees for the 2022-2023 academic year in verification.
That had we being allocated residence in the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited Halls; we could not have taken it for the reason that we cannot afford the charges that come with residence of those halls.
That by a long-standing residence arrangement and practice of the University, once a student takes up residence in the traditional halls, the student has a right of residence in that hall for the duration of the course of study, subject to proven breach of an existing regulation of the University, punishable by loss of the right of the residence in the hall.
That documentary evidence of the residency policy and the practice of the University being that residency in halls cover the duration of the course can be seen in the University’s published residency policy notice dated, the 7th of December, 2021 titled “Notice of Student Residency in University Managed Halls; 2021/2022 academic year”. (I attach herewith marked as exhibit D is a copy of the document titled “Notice on Student Residency in University Managed halls; 2021/2022 Academic year in verification).
That by items 1 and 2 of Exhibit D, the residency board of the University underscored its residency policy and practice and its recognition that a deviation of the long-standing policy and practice of residence in halls being for the duration of the course can only be prospectively done on conditions expressly spelt out in the offer of accommodation to new students.
That the other applicants are resident students of Commonwealth Hall who I met upon taking residence in the hall and who I have lived in the hall with for the period of the academic year spanning January 2021 to September 2022 when the academic year came to an end.
That I am advised and verily believe same to be true that with our allocation of residence at Commonwealth Hall, (Hall) a right of residence for the duration of our respective courses accrued to me and the other applicants subject only to the loss of our right of residence on a proven breach of a pre-existing rule of the University’s basic law punishable by loss of the right of residence.
That I and my colleague applicants successfully completed our academic work and went temporarily out of the residence when the University went on Summer Vacation with a reasonable expectation of returning to our residence in early January, 2023 to continue our courses.
That on the 28th of December 2022, I received via WhatsApp messaging a link from some colleagues on one of our group platforms. When I followed the link, it led me to a notice from the University that said the following:” Following the University Council’s approval of new residential arrangements for the 2022/2023 academic year, you have been reallocated a bed in a different hall of residence. Kindly follow the steps below to accept your offer and secure a bed”. The notice then directed that I log in for my newly allocated hall and room number. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit E an image of the notice that the link led to captioned of the “New Residential Arrangement academic year” in verification.)
That I was to discover well after the fact that the university had sent an email to me and the other applicants on 14th of December 2022 in which they advised that the university council had approved recommendations of the residence board for changes to student residence arrangement in reaction to repeated incidences of violence involving students. (I attach herewith marked as exhibit E is a copy of the print out of the email titled Arrangements for students’ residence from 2022/2023 academic year in verification)
That by bullet point one of, the new arrangement advised by the University, the other Applicants and I were informed that with effect from the start of 2022/2023 academic year, “All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls or to any of the traditional halls. They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels. Continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected by this measure”.
That our enquires carried out sometime in the beginning of the year revealed that the changes in residence policy were decided by a meeting of the Residence Board of the University which took place on the 26th of October 2022. The minutes of which were forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor of the University by the Pro-vice Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs) by a letter dated the 10th of November 2022. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit G and G1 the cover letter dated the 10th of November 2022 and the minutes of the meeting of 26th of October 2022 respectfully for ease of reference in verification)
That by the statute of the university of Ghana, the Residence Board of the university is the primary body responsible for student residence matters and by convention, the university has the following representation for each traditional hall of residence:
Head of Hall (Hall Master)
Senior Tutor
President of the Junior Common Room
That in breach of the age long, well established, and hallowed convention of the university. The three representations of Commonwealth Hall were not invited to the Residence Board meeting of the 26th of October, 2022.
That the fact of the failure to invite the statutory and conventional representations of Commonwealth Hall, the hall was unrepresented and was not heard as a principal party adversely affected by the policy decision.
That the decision contained in exhibit G1 which is the basis of the policy to truncate our rights of residence in the Commonwealth Hall for the duration of our courses has created the invidious and unjust situation where I and the other applicants who do not have even the remotest connection to the so-called disturbances are now being punished without as much as even being accused much more heard on alleged wrong-doings that we know nothing about.
That the issues tabled at the meeting on 26th October 2022, the failure to invite our hall representatives and the gleefulness with which the university has trumped due process, good conscience, our right to be heard and the snatching away of our accrued rights of the residence of the hall suggest that the meeting of 26th October 2022 was convened mala fides with a pre-conceived goal to victimize the hall and its residents.
That I am advised and verily believe same to be true that the Defendant did not act in accordance with its own laws when it purportedly made the decision it is seeking to implement as its new residence policy.
That I am also advised and verily believe same to be true that the decision to truncate the right of residence of continuing students of Commonwealth Hall was made in gross disregard of the Defendant’s own statutes and conventions and without due process.
That the avowed intent of the Defendant is to implement the new residency policy and infringe on the accrued rights of the Plaintiffs and their colleagues.
That I am further advised and verily believe same to be true that I can in the circumstances seek an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the Defendant from implementing the new residency policy and also seek in the same application a mandatory order directed at the Defendants to remove those it has wrongfully placed in the hall in the implementation of the residence policy and for the status quo to be maintained pending the trial of the instant suit.
The motion was served on the Respondent on 17th January 2023 at 12:50 p.m. The return date for the motion was 7th February 2023. On 7th February 2023, when the case came up for hearing, the Defendant/Respondent (hereinafter called the Respondent) had not filed any affidavit in opposition.
The Court granted the Respondent’s counsel leave to file affidavit in opposition if any by 2 pm on 8th February 2023.
The Respondent filed its affidavit in opposition on 8th February 2023 at 2:40 p.m. I wish to quote the relevant paragraphs in this ruling:
I am advised by Counsel and verily believe same to be true that the instant application for interlocutory injunction is frivolous, vexatious, incompetent and without merit and has no basis in law.
That the said application is moot and dead upon arrival as the Respondent complied with and implemented the Respondent council’s policy on residence on December 28, 2022, prior to the filing of the instant application.
I deny that the Respondent has implemented any decision of the University dated October 26th, 2022. The said decisions which were recommendations of the Residency Board forwarded to the Academic Board of the Respondent, subsequently became the Respondent University Councils policy on the residency of all students which policy by the Respondent Council is sanctioned by law to implement amidst other rights and powers.
10. I deny the deposition in paragraph 10 of the Applicants’ affidavit in support that the cost of residence at University of Ghana Enterprises Limited Hall is nearly thrice the cost for the traditional halls.
I deny paragraphs 11 and 12 of the Applicants affidavit in support and say that the residency of students of all the halls including Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall terminated at the end of the academic year 2021/2022 as has been the policy of the Respondent University. As such, at the commencement of the academic year 2022/2023, and in the absence of an offer of allocation and or re-allocation of rooms to students for the academic year, no student could claim residency in any hall of the Respondent University. No student has a right of residence perse in a hall of residence in the sense that he/she is automatically to a room and a bed.
I deny paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Applicants’ affidavit in support and say that the University reserves and has always reserved the right to amend or change its policies including the residence policy. That the communication referred to in paragraph 13 was itself a change in residence policy at that time. The University reserved the right to change the policy as indicated in exhibit D.
17. I deny paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the Applicants’ affidavit in support and says, no such hardships or inconveniences will be visited upon students as nearly all continuing students have accepted re-allocations of halls made to them by the Respondent and have paid for same, in any case, the Respondent has indicated its willingness to support all students who have financial challenges related to taking up the new residency.
18. I deny paragraphs 23, 24 and 25 of the Applicants affidavit in support and say that by their own showing, Exhibit G was a communication requesting the recommendations of the residence board to be brought to the attention of the Academic board for consideration, clearly evidencing that the recommendations of the residency board were not final.
The re-allocation of Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah halls to freshmen is a lawful residential policy of the Respondent Council made within the boundaries of the law and not a punitive measure meted against a targeted group.
25. In response to paragraph 37 of the affidavit in support, I say that 3rd party rights have already accrued in the halls as per the Applicants own showing, new students have already been allocated to the rooms in Commonwealth and Sarbah Halls and are already in actual occupation of the rooms. A complex web of interest has already been created.
I am advised by counsel and believe same to be true that this Court may not consider the prayer of the Applicants in paragraph 38 of the Affidavit in support unless it has heard and considered the interest of the innocent students who are currently in occupation, who the Applicants pray that they be removed from their current accommodation. That to do so will not only be unfair but it will also be unjust.
28. I deny paragraphs 40 and 41 of the affidavit in support and say that the status quo presently is the already allocated residency of Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls to freshmen who have already paid and occupied these halls and the re-allocation of other halls of residence to continuing students including the applicants both done prior to the filing of the instant application.
The grant of the instant application will adversely affect the Respondent as well as all students both freshmen and continuing students who have already been allocated rooms and taken residency in the various halls pursuant to the Residency policy of the Respondent.
The court decided to give its decision based on the documents filed in support and in opposition to this application. Afterall, there is no law which says, a motion can only be decided when it has been moved formally. Once the return date is due which in this case was 7th February, 2023, the court can decide the application as per the documents filed.
See: REPUBLIC v COURT OF APPEAL; EX PARTE EASTERN ALLOY CO. LTD [2007-2008] 1 SCGLR 371
Injunction implies an order of a court directed at a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act which may be continuing or is yet to commence.
The Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th Edition, with Bryan A. Garner as editor in chief defines injunction as follows: “A Court order commanding or preventing an action. It goes further to state that in a general sense, every order of a court which commands or forbids is an injunction; but in its accepted legal sense, an injunction is a judicial process or mandate operating in personam in which upon certain established principles of equity, a party is required to do or refrain from doing a particular thing”.
It further defines preliminary injunction as “a temporary injunction issued before or during trial to prevent an irreparable injury from occurring before the court has the chance to decide the case. It is also called interlocutory injunction”.
The Osborn Concise Law Dictionary, 8th Edition defines Injunction as “an order or decree by which a party to an action is required to do or refrain from doing a particular thing”.
Injunction is a matter of judicial discretion by the court and not as of right. The Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th Edition, defines judicial discretion as “the exercise of judgment by a judge or court based on what is fair under the circumstances and guided by the rules and principles of law. A court’s power to act or not to act when a litigant is not entitled to demand the act as a matter of right”. The same judicial discretion is sometimes described as legal discretion.
In the exercise of judicial discretion, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana gives the parameters within which such powers are to be exercised. Article, 296 (a) and (b) of the 1992 Constitution provide that:
296 “Where in this Constitution or in any other law discretionary power is vested in any person or authority-
that discretionary power shall be deemed to imply a duty to be fair and candid;
the exercise of the discretionary power shall not be arbitrary, capricious or biased either by resentment, prejudice or personal dislike and shall in accordance with due process of law”.
See: DJAN v YEBOAH-AFARI [2013] 62 GMJ 127 CA
Injunction under our civil jurisdiction in cases pending before the High Courts and the Circuit Courts are regulated by Order 25 or C.I.47.
Order 25 rule (1) of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47) provides the procedure for dealing with interlocutory injunctions.
The order is as follows:
“25 (1) the Court may grant injunction by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just and convenient to do so, and the order may be made either unconditionally or upon such terms and conditions as the Court considers just”.
Order 25 Rule (1) thus gives discretionary power to the court to grant injunction where it deems it just or convenient to do so.
Further, Order 25 Rule 1 (2) requires a party to an action to apply for the grant of injunction before or after trial of the action whether a claim for injunction was included in the party’s writ, counterclaim or third party notice.
Order 25 Rule 1 (3) requires an applicant or a party seeking an injunction to attach to the motion paper and the supporting affidavit, a Statement of Case containing full arguments and the legal authorities to be relied on.
Order 25 Rule 1 (4) enjoins a respondent who desires to oppose the application to file an affidavit in opposition as well as Statement of Case containing full argument and legal authorities to be relied on.
See: SRAHA v AGBOSU [2013] 63 GMJ 108 CA
The Applicants and the Respondent in this case have complied with all the provisions under Order 25 Rule 1(1), (2), (3) and (4) of C.I. 47.
I have already indicated in this ruling, that the grant or refusal of interlocutory injunction is within the discretion of the court. It is not a matter of right by a party but a discretionary order by the court.
See: AGYEI & ORS. v SIMILAO [2012] 1 SCGLR 127
Again, the law is settled that the court will always be guided by the following principles to determine whether to grant or refuse an application for interlocutory injunction.
Whether the Applicant has a legal or equitable right at law which the court must protect by maintaining the status quo ante until the final determination of the case.
Whether on the balance of convenience, the Applicant will suffer irreparable injury or greater harm which could not be adequately compensated in damages if the application is not granted.
Whether the applicant case is not frivolous nor vexatious.
Whether on the face of the affidavits and the exhibits, there is the need to maintain the status quo ante pending the determination on case.
Whether the application discloses a prima facie case, for the purposes of preserving the status quo or to hold the circumstances surrounding the matter in dispute in the action.
Whether there are serious questions of law to be tried at the hearing.
Whether it will be fair, just and or equitable to grant same.
See: VANDERPUYE v NARTEY [1977] 1 GLR 428 CA
OWUSU v OWUSU-ANSAH & ANOR [2007-2008] 2 SCGLR 870
METTLE v LANDS COMMISSION [2008] 1 GMJ 190 CA
BRAM-LARBI v THE REGISTRAR & 2 ORS [2010] 28 MLRG 148 CA
PETERSON v KUSI [2010] 26 GMJ 83 CA
CENTRACOR RESOURCES LIMITED v BOOHENE [1992-1993] 4 GBR 1512 CA
NANA BONSIE & ORS v AGYENIM BOATENG & 3 ORS [2012] 52 GMJ 206 CA
18TH JULY LIMITED v YEHANS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED [2012] 1 SCGLR 167
Again, injunction can also be granted to prevent a party from not complying with a valid subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
See: MICHAEL ANKOMAH-NIMFAH v JAMES GYAKYE QUAYSON & OTHERS (NO.2) [2022] 176 GMJ 446 SC
The law recognizes that, there may be situations where an interlocutory application can dispose of the substantive matter where the justice of the case so demands. However, those glaring cases are limited. In those situations, the facts are normally undisputed. It is therefore trite law, that in interlocutory applications, adjudicators must avoid making definitive findings on disputed issues particularly where the facts are not only material but for some reasons obscure or highly contentious.
See: IN RE BOB KWAME & CO. LIMITED; GYINGYI v BERNARD AND ANOTHER [1989-1990] 1 GLR 87 CA
At this stage, I am only seized with the affidavit evidence and the pleadings and not the oral evidence. However, it is both the pleadings and the oral evidence which make up a case.
My duty at this stage is to examine the substantive application in this case, the affidavit in opposition etc., as well as the exhibits attached. I will then consider whether the Applicants have a right at law or in equity and, whether their claim is not frivolous or vexatious, and should be protected until such time that the injunction order may be dissolved by the court.
See: NATIONAL LOTTERY AUTHORITY v AIRTEL GHANA [2011] 36 GMJ 190
The law is also settled, that even a person in possession of a property can be restrained by injunction from disposing such property.
See: IN RE YENDI SKIN AFFAIRS: YAKUBU II v ABDULAI [1984-1986] 2 GLR 231 SC
I have considered the pleadings, the affidavits, the Statement of Case as well as the annexures by both parties. I am satisfied that there are triable issues to be tried in the main case. For example;
Whether the Applicants ought to have appealed against the decision of the Respondent, dated 26th October 2022 to the Appeal’s Board of the University of Ghana or were right in coming to court.
Whether the Applicants were heard before the 26th October 2022 decision was taken by the Respondent’s Residency Board.
Whether the Applicants acquired equitable rights as resident students of Commonwealth Hall, and if so whether that right can be revoked unilaterally by the Respondent.
I am also satisfied, that the Applicants application is neither frivolous nor vexatious and raises serious questions of law for determination.
However, having considered the above factors, the next important factor to consider is balance of convenience. The question to pose is whether damages would be an adequate remedy if the application for injunction is granted or refused?
In the case of NDEBUGRE (NO.1) v THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AKER ASA & CHEMU POWER COMPANY LIMITED (NO.1) [2013-2014] 2 SCGLR 1134, the Supreme Court per Akamba JSC held at page 1138 as follows “it is a basic principle of injunction law, that prima facie, a court will not grant an injunction to restrain an actionable wrong for which damages are the proper remedy”.
The Supreme Court, again in the case of WELFORD QUARCOO v ATTORNEY-GENERAL & ANOR [2012] 1 SCGLR 259 per Date-Bah JSC in explaining balance of convenience held at page 260 that “the balance of convenience, of course, means weighing up the disadvantages of granting the relief against the disadvantages of not granting the relief. Where the relief sought relates, to a public law matter, particular care must be taken not to halt action presumptively for the public good, unless there are very cogent reasons to do so, and provided also that any subsequent nullification of the impugned act on omission cannot restore the status quo”.
See also, GHANA INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS’ ASSOCIATION (NO.1) v ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION (NO.1) [2017-2020] 1 SCGLR 498
RANSFORD FRANCE (NO.1) v ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2012] 1 SCGLR 689
HARUNA IDDRISU & 2 ORS v ATTORNEY-GENERAL WRIT NO. J1/19/2022, DATED 4TH MAY, 2022 SC
Coming back to the case before me, from exhibit B, the 5th Applicant, and the other Applicants as they have averred in their affidavit in support were offered residential accommodation in Commonwealth Hall by the Respondent.
There is no indication on exhibit ‘B’ that it was to last for a year. Exhibit ‘B’ is coming from the Respondent. It is on the letter heard of the Respondent. There is no indication that it was forged or procured by the Applicants by recourse to fraud.
Exhibit B is an official record and therefore presumes to be authentic, genuine, and properly done under sections 37, 148 and 162 of the Evidence Act, 1975 (NRCD 323).
See: JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA v NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO- ADDO [2021] 171 GMJ 473
BROBBEY & OTHERS v KWAKU [1995-1996] 1GLR 125 SC
DUPAUL WOOD TREATMENT & ANOTHER v ASARE [2005-2006] SCGLR 667
Again, per exhibit D, the Respondent informed the Applicants and others who were in residence that they would not lose their residency before they finish their courses.
It is trite law that when one gives a tacit assurance to another and the innocent party relies on it, the one who gave the promise will be estopped subsequently, by his conduct from denying the existence of the promise or the assurance given earlier to the innocent party. This type of estoppel has received statutory and case law blessings. It is provided under Section 26 of the Evidence Act as follows:
“Except as otherwise provided by law, includes a rule of equity, when a party has, by his own statement, act, omission, intentionally and deliberately caused or permitted another person to believe a thing to be true and to act upon such belief, the truth of that thing shall be conclusively presumed against that party or his successors in interest in any proceedings between that party or his successors in interest in any proceedings between that party or his successors in interest and such relying person or his successors in interest.”
See also,AFRIKANIA MISSION CHURCH v SEBA CONSTRUCTION LTD [2013] 59 GMJ 176 CA
AGO SAI & OTHERS v KPOBI TETTEH TSURU II [2010] SCGLR 762
T.K. SERBEH & CO LTD v MENSAH [2005-2006] SCGLR 341
OBENG & OTHERS v ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH, GHANA [2010] SCGLR 300
Furthermore, I am of the view that exhibits B and D have created some equitable rights on behalf of the Applicants as to their residential accommodation which was offered to them by the Respondent which must be protected.
Again, granted that the Respondent intends to create any right on behalf of fresh students who are to be at Commonwealth Hall, that right should not override the earlier equitable right obtained by the Applicants by virtue of exhibits B and D.
The law is settled that when two equitable rights are created, the first in time must prevail. And as in this case, the right created or conferred on the Applicants for years must prevail over any right which is yet to be created or was created few weeks or months ago in favour of fresh students.
I am also of the view, that the anxiety, the trauma that will be caused to the Applicants who were in residence at Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana if their residential status is changed contrary to exhibits B and D will be greater than those who are yet to take up residence or who are fresh students.
As to whether the Respondent’s Residency Board resolution dated 26th October 2022 and the letter referencing it dated 10th November 2022 have any basis in law or not would be considered during the trial.
However, in the meantime, considering all the exhibits or the annexures as well as the pleadings, I am of the humble view, that the inconvenience which would be caused to the Applicants and all continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana if the application is not granted would be greater than the inconvenience which would be caused to fresh students if the application is granted.
Of course, equity and good conscience will even suffice that it would be inconvenient to dispossess one who is already in possession or who has been in possession for months or years than one who is yet to be in possession or who has been in possession for some few days or weeks.
I am of the considered view, that it will be fair and just to grant the application pending the determination of the case.
Consequently, I hereby restrain the Respondent, either by itself, or its officers, assigns, privies, agents, workmen or anybody working under the Respondent’s instructions from going ahead to implement the decision of the Respondent per its Residence Board emergency meeting, dated 26th October 2022 against the Applicants and all continuing students of the Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana.
The status quo as to the continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, should be maintained as it used to be before the meeting of the Residence Board of the Respondent, dated 26th October 2022.
This order is to be in force until the final determination of the case. The effect is that the residential status of the continuing students of Commonwealth Hall University of Ghana should not be disturbed until the final determination of the case.
All the Applicants are to file one undertaking that if they lose the case, all of them will compensate the Respondent with an amount of GH¢30,000.00. The application therefore succeeds. No order as to cost.
SGD.
FRANCIS OBIRI
JUSTICE OF THE HIGH COURT
See full ruling on the injunction:
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE COMMERCIAL DIVISION “2”
HELD IN ACCRA ON THURSDAY THE 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2023
BEFORE HIS LORDSHIP FRANCIS OBIRI
–
RULING
I have read the documents filed in this application by the Respondents/Applicants for leave to cross examine the deponent in the contempt application. I have also heard the submissions for and against the application by the lawyers for the parties.
Under Order 38 rule 2(3) of C.I.47 upon which the application to cross examine the deponent to the contempt application is anchored, the court has discretion whether to grant it or not.
Secondly, it is trite law that a deponent to an affidavit in support of an application under Order 20 of C.I.47 must be able to disclose his source of information. The deponent even need not be a party to the application. The requirements as to the contents of affidavit or the capacity of a deponent to swear to an affidavit under Order 20 of C.I.47 is applicable to all applications.
Order 50 of C.I.47 which is on committal for contempt does not provide a different criterion as to who can depose to an affidavit in contempt proceedings. And if the framers or the makers of C.I.47 wanted an application under Order 50 of C.I.47 to have different criteria, they would have stated so expressly. That is why even a law clerk can depose to an affidavit on behalf of a client his firm represents. The deponent only must disclose his source of information which he believes to be true.
See: 18TH JULY LTD v YEHANS INTERNATIONAL LTD [2012] 1 SCGLR 167
What the law mandates a deponent to do is not to withhold material facts.
See: THE TRUST BANK LTD v G. K. APPIAH AND SONS LTD AND OTHERS [2011] 2 SCGLR 894
In this case, the deponent to the affidavit is one of the applicants and not even someone who is not a party in respect of the application.
Again, it is the law that an application belongs to the applicant and not the deponent to the affidavit. Therefore, the deponent to an affidavit need not be one who has capacity to bring the application.
Consequently, in an application to invoke the jurisdiction of the court, the capacity of the deponent to the affidavit may not be necessary. What is relevant is the capacity of the Applicant.
See: THE REPUBLIC v HIGH COURT (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) ACCRA, EX PARTE NANA OWUSU AFRIYIE AND ANOR (FIRST ATLANTIC BANK – INTERESTED PARTY) [2021] 172 GMJ 424 SC
Even in strict criminal cases, a deponent to an application need not be the party in the case. The deponent must only disclose information based on what he knows to be true. There is no law which says, if a party swears to an affidavit on his behalf and on behalf of another person, he should attach any document as evidence of consent from the other Applicant or person.
I am therefore of the view that the court will not honour the invitation extended to it by the Respondents Applicants to grant their application under Order 38 of C.I.47. The application fails and same is dismissed. The case is adjourned to 3rd April, 2023 at 12:00 noon
Samira Bawumia, the second lady, has promised to make learning materials available in an effort to boost the nation’s existing literacy rate.
Making the pledge at the Samira Bawumia Literature Prize Awards ceremony in Accra on Thursday, the Second Lady said her Samira Empowerment & Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) will be intensified and commitments made to inculcate the habit of reading in Ghanaians.
Samira Bawumia noted that her outfit will continue to support aspiring young Ghanaian writers while contributing to the growing literary space in the country.
The awards ceremony held at theUniversity of Ghana’s Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER) Conference Hall in Accra, brought people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the literary works of basic and secondary school students.
“We are going to continue with this awards ceremony and publish the anthology of all the winning entries and give it some breathing time and hold the next awards ceremony after a year,” the Second Lady said.
Contestants of the literacy challenge won various prizes worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.
The first-place winners were awarded laptops and cash prizes of GH¢5000, second-place winners were given GH¢3000, and GH¢2000 for third place winners and 4th to 10th place winners in each category were awarded GH¢1000.
A senior political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Kobby Mensah has opined that ‘older’ politicians
He expressed concern about the political opportunities given to persons in their old age at the expense of younger people.
Speaking in an interview on 3FM monitored by GhanaWeb, Dr Mensah drew a proportional relationship between the proliferation of corruption and the age of persons given opportunities in the country’s political system.
“When people are at the tail end of their ages of their life and certain ambitions have not been met, that is where we see our resources being dissipated because they feel like they don’t have enough time and so they want to rake in a lot more before they go.
“So the more older people we find in our political system the more corruption it is. I mean I can be blunt about it because that is the truth and when people haven’t achieved what they have set out to do, they get the opportunity at the top quartile of their ages and then they want to unleash all their ambitions at that top end,” he noted.
He stressed that young people on the other hand are inclined to be less corrupt as they tend to consider the length of their careers and are more sensitive about facing the consequences of corruption.
“But if you give a young person such opportunity, they know they have a lot of time and years ahead of them, they know that they can be summoned, they can be challenged by their own groups and older folks and they know that there can be consequences,” he stated.
The lecturer thus advocated for a more forthright discussion about the capabilities and abilities that young people posses and giving them opportunities in the country’s political space.
“Someone who is at the end quartile of their life what do they fear? They fear nothing. So I think that we have to open up the conversation, we have to open up our minds and our thinking about what these young people can do,” Dr Kobby Mensah noted.
There have been persistent concerns about the continuous stay in office by some public and political officials despite having gone past the official retirement age.
In March this year, a group of private citizens staged a protest around parliament demanding the removal of some two senior official at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
According to the group, Director General of the GRA Rev. Dr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah and the revenue generation officer of GRA, Juliana Essiam have continued to remain in office despite attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 and the exhausting their extended contracts.
TheCommissioner of Police (COP), Kofi Boakye, is scheduled to retire on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
This was revealed by Kwame Sefa Kayi on the Friday, March 31 edition of his show.
Sefa Kayi, while paying tribute to Kofi Boakye for the incredible things he accomplished in his career, mentioned Wednesday, April 5 as the day the celebrated policeman will officially retire from the service.
“Next week Wednesday, Kofi Boakye will be sixty. He will retire next week Wednesday. I can’t tell if there will be a pull-out ceremony for him but next week Wednesday, he will leave the police service,” he said.
His revelation drew a statement of eulogy from the guests on the show who are great admirers of COP Kofi Boakye.
Dr Smart Sarpong reminisced how Kofi Boakye declared war on armed robbery in the Western Region and managed to reduce it to the barest minimum.
He promised to attend the pull-out ceremony and honor COP Kofi Boakye if one is held in his honor.
“There used to be a lot of robbery activities in the Western Region but he fought it. In Kumasi, he fought and won against armed robbery activities. We should set a day aside to celebrate him.”
Opanyin Agyekum, the head of the linguistics department of the University of Ghana also commended COP Kofi Boakye for his tremendous service to the country.
COP Kofi Boakye is widely remembered and celebrated for how he combated armed robbery activities in the Ashanti Region when he was the regional commander.
Meanwhile, Effia Tenge is widely reported to have tendered her resignation to the top hierarchy of the police last week as she prepares to take on a new role in the Parliament of Ghana.
As Ghanaians continue to digest the news that dominated the media space on Saturday, April 1, 2022, it has emerged that COP Kofi Boakye is also on his way out.
Authorities of the University of Ghana have been referred to Parliament’s Education Committee by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu for failing to abide to a High Court directive.
According to him, the Committee should probe the reason behind the University’s intransigence.
“I would refer this statement to the Committee of Education and urge them to engage the University and to report back to us why the University authorities, headed by the immediate past Chief Justice – she is the Chairman of the University Council, so we expect that she will ensure that the sanctity of the court order is respected,” he said.
It would be recalled that the University of Ghana was directed by an Accra High Court to halt its residential policy which removed continuing Commonwealth Hall students from the Hall.
The University is yet to comply with the directive.
However, the MP for Builsa South, delivering a statement on the floor, criticised the University for failing to adhere to the court order.
According to him, the continuous refusal of the Management of the University of Ghana to reinstate the affected students, as ordered by the court, is unacceptable and unlawful.
“Mr Speaker, we call on you and this august House and all well-meaning Ghanaians to join us to impress upon the University of Ghana to do the needful by respecting the laws of the land,” he said.
Also, a bipartisan group of MPs slammed the University’s reluctance to obey the order of the court.
They are; Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Dormaa East MP, Paul Twum Barima, MP for Salaga South, Zuwera Ibrahimah and Bole Bamboi MP Yusif Sulemana.
According to them, the House cannot allow the University to flout a court order.
“It is a very serious matter. Disobeying a court order with impunity as a citizen of this country. The University doesn’t belong to individuals and I am surprised why a whole institution would be allowed to impugn on the dignity of court in our country,” Mr. Agyeman Manu said.
They added that the disregard for the court ruling is sad.
According to them, the hall has produced very important personalities who are contributing to the development of the nation, therefore the hall should not be toyed with.
It was on the back of this debates that the Speaker referred the issue to Parliament’s Education Committee to be investigated.
The head of the political science department at the University of Ghana,Dr. Seidu Alidu, claims that the subject is misconstrued if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members of parliament are simply labeled as traitors for not voting down the President’s nominees for ministerial positions.
According to him, many factors have to be taken into consideration to determine the reasons that influenced the defecting MPs to vote in the way they did.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, he explained that while outsiders may just simply view it as the MPs defying the orders of the party, it could be more than just that.
“You’re looking at relationships individual MPs have had with other MPs across the divide, but you’re also looking at group interests. So the group interests, the MPs operate in caucuses so we have Volta caucus, Eastern caucus, Ashanti caucus, Northern caucus, Muslims, Christians and all those things.
“So you have a member of parliament who is NPP and he has been nominated as a minister and he fellowships at the same church with you, he’s in the same caucus with you, you’re from the same region with him, and you know that he can dispense patronage to you when he becomes a minister.
“You’re in opposition you need a very bad road in your constituency to be fixed for you to win re-election, he has assured you he will do it for you, can you look him in the eye and vote against him?” he said.
He also added that the close friendships that some MPs have cultivated with MPs from across the political divide sometimes also affect the way they come to a decision in cases like these.
“Some of them are in-laws, some of them are very good friends even though they’re from the same divide, they sit together they eat together, when they’re out of parliament they’re together, they do a lot of things together.
“And then the personal interest, you see the NDC has opened up nominations, people need money to file, people need to justify their inclusion through projects, people need a lot and then somebody promises you ‘if you’re able to do this I’ll give you that.’
“So Evans, our analyses have focused largely on the formal institutions, the constituency, the party interest, the national interest. But we cannot also ignore that informal dynamics that occur daily among MPs and sometimes which are even stronger than some of the party, state and constituency interest,” he said.
Dr. Seidu Alidu further stated that the defecting MPs may have voted the way they did as a protest against certain actions taken by the party or by the party’s leadership in recent times.
Thus, while these MPs may have lacked the courage to raise their objections during group consultations with party leadership, felt the need to register their displeasure by breaking rank during the secret balloting.
“People may not be happy with a lot of things that have happened in the party or something that has happened in the party. When you engage them they won’t tell you, but they will have to prove to you that they’re not happy by the way they vote.
“And in national elections, protest votes do occur, and when protest votes occur what you need to do is to find out why people are protesting or defying the party three-line whip and then see how you can engage them,” he said.
“The MPs are so close that the Majority side knows some of the people who are disillusioned and disaffected and have challenges or don’t like what their leadership is doing or what their party is doing and the NDC knows on the NPP side those people.
“So sometimes it is very [easy] for them to just go straight to them, take advantage of their disappointments, offer them something that will make them very happy or to prove to them that they’re not happy with their leadership and they’ll go,” he added.
Meanwhile, he has urged that cool heads prevail and that the party leadership foment trust within the party’s rank and file to prevent a repeat situation in the future.
“So I think … that cool heads must prevail. There’s still a lot that’s supposed to happen up to the end of this parliament and 137-137 is more about the definition of politics – compromise and consensus building – you will have to create that element of trust within your rank and file, and that will give you the impetus to engage the other.
“Identify the people with the challenges in your rank and file and know how to bring them on board, other than that the other side will identify them and work with them,” he said.
He noted that should the NDC decide to witch-hunt the defecting MPs, it will “deepen mistrust and suspicion in the party,” and this would affect the party’s chances of reclaiming victory in the upcoming general elections.
Emergency Trauma Physician, Korle-Bu Hospital Dr Ray Kakrabah Quashie Jnr, has advised the University of Ghana graduands not to take loan to buy cars after school to impress society.
He asked them to rather save their salaries and use the investment as security to take loans to buy car if they needed it.
“The appearance of success is all a matter of time. You need to develop yourself and never set yourself up to compete with others, especially imitation competition, which may lead to failure,” he said.
Dr Kakrabah-Quashie said this on Thursday at the graduation ceremony for the Colleges of Health Sciences for the 2021/2022 academic year.
The ceremonies were held with a total of 11,711 students graduating from all four Colleges as well as the School of Graduate Studies.
He admonished them to view education as a means to an end and not an end in itself, adding that the process of acquiring a degree was meant to equip them to be problem solvers.
“You may have studied medicine, but you will be required to solve a banking problem in addition.”
“You may have studied biochemistry, but may be required to solve a problem medical Doctors are grappling with,” he said.
He said the measure of one’s success should not be within the personal sphere only, or what the individual alone benefited, but the larger society.
“I urge you to be focused… Make good use of influential people in society for your career development,” he said.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the Vice Chancellor, the University of Ghana, said the University in 2022 started the construction of a PhD Apartment Block dedicated to PhD students.
It was funded by savings on the Carnegie-sponsored capacity-building projects.
The University, she said, had re-introduced the in-out-out-out policy, which would result in all the traditional halls of residence being reserved for fresh and graduate students.
The policy, which is being implemented progressively will be in full force by the 2025/2026 academic year.
She said a seven-member board of the Students Representative Council Development Fund had been inaugurated to champion the implementation of the physical development projects initiated by students.
On research activities, she said that from July 2022 to date, the University had received 62 research grant contracts and agreements with a total value of US$4,676,636.73 executed, with expected overheads of about US$508,353.46.
“In addition, 18 sub-award agreements worth US$1,452,051.08 were issued, and the Office of Research, Innovation, and Development facilitated the submission of 28 proposal/grant applications to various funders worth US$25,665,527.34.”
Ms Mariam Williams, the Best Graduating Student, Bachelor of Science Programme in Nursing, pledged to use the knowledge acquired to impact society positively.
The relationship between academic institutions and industries needs to be reconsidered, according to Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, first deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana.
Dealing with unemployment and problems associated to it will be made possible by this.
He said this at the Congregation of College of Humanities at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he charged academic institutions to create linkage with industry.
Dr. Opoku-Afari, who is also the Chairman, Advisory Board, of the College of Humanities, challenged the university, students and industry to make maximum use of technology to the benefit of the country.
The 2023 University of Ghana Congregation ceremonies was held for graduates who completed their programmes of study during the 2021/2022 Academic year. It is the first in-person graduation since the outbreak of COVID-19.
The first Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Maxwell Opoku-Afari, said with the constant change in the world, there is the need for academia to infuse technology in all spheres of training to equip students with skills for the world of work.
He also charged the graduates to imbibe the principles of hard work, perseverance and integrity to make a meaningful impact in the world.
In a speech read on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nana Aba Amfo, the Pro Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Prof Gordon Awandare, said from July 2022 to date, 62 research grant contracts and agreements with a value of Four million dollars were executed.
According to him the university will continue to play a pivotal role and position it as the number one researchinstitution.
Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, applauded the University for adapting to the challenges during Covid-19. She urged the management of the University to keep up the good work and continue to tap into technology as they prepare the students for the world.
Mrs Chinery-Hesse said there are numerous problems facing society and challenged the graduates to play a major role in creating a better future for all.
Eleven thousand, seven hundred and eleven people graduated from four Colleges and Graduate Studies with Jacklord Agyabeng Amponsah as the valedictorian for the College of Humanities with a final GPA of 3.93.
In order to achieve maximum productivity, the University of Ghanahas introduced a gender policy that aims to integrate the topic of gender equity in all university departments.
The policy will cover the university’s gender principles, which include issues concerning staff appointments and promotion, and students enrolment and retention as well as grievance procedures and processes for redress and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms among others.
The purpose of the policy is to address the issue of imbalance in the representation of females in the student population, teaching, administrative, technical and senior management position by providing equal opportunity to members and prospective members of the university community, regardless of sex.
Therefore, it would provide a framework document for achieving a gender equitable environment that engages both males and females in all critical spheres of decision-making.
It would also create an environment that values diverse perspectives on the basis of gender equality, harnesses potentials and is supportive of men and women’s diverse skills, perspectives and knowledge.
At the launch held recently in Accra, the Chancellor of the university, Mary Chinery-Hesse, underscored the importance for the university to have such a policy that was binding, and also In line with the national gender policy to ensure that all were treated equally both within the university and within the broader Ghanaian social space.
She, however, lamented that in spite of the progress being made in gender parity, the university still faced critical issues of gender imbalance, citing female participation in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related programmes and the study of Information Technology (IT) as an example.
She said “the percentage of female students studying IT courses currently stands at just 20 per cent.
There is also the issue of the proportion of women in senior academic roles, and the voice of women in decision-making at all levels in the University,”
Mrs Chinery-Hesse, therefore, affirmed the university’s commitment against all forms of gender based discrimination and the forging of an environment where everyone, regardless of their gender had equal opportunity for their growth, development and self-realisation.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, noted that as an institution committed to the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 which focused on Gender Equality, the university had always, even before the launch of the policy, been working to create an environment free from bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
“It may interest you to know that the University of Ghana is the first university in Ghana to set up a Gender Centre (now the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy) way back in 2005.”
UG is also the first university in Ghana to develop a Sexual Harassment Policy, and today, the University is leading the charge as the first public University in Ghana to develop a Gender Policy,” she said.
Prof. Amfo was therefore hopeful that other tertiary institutions would emulate the university’s initiative to protect both men and women in the realisation of their goals and called on all stakeholders to work together for its success..
A political science professor at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo has criticized the administration for its hasty decision to end the collection of road tolls and attempts to reinstate same.
In response to the proposed reintroduction of road tolls, he criticized the administration for its obstinacy in refusing to reconsider its decision to eliminate the tolls, which provided some revenue for the country, especially in light of the recent economic crisis.
He said “Now we want to reintroduce the road tolls? Good idea. But what went into the decision to cancel it? Governance is too serious a business to be left in the hands of mere political point scorers. The ideals of the Philosopher King are to guide those ruling!”
He called on the government to be responsive and listen to voices of dissent as he who is cutting a path would never know if his back is crooked.
The government has revised the schedules of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022, (Act 1080).
The amendments are in line with the government’s intention to restart collecting tolls on some roads pending the completion of the steps to identify the roads and highways to be affected by the reintroduction of the tolls.
To this end, the Ministry of Finance has commenced the procedures, necessary to determine the toll foundation rates while the Ministry of Roads and Highways considers them.
The proposed rates have witnessed an average increase of 88 percent from the previous charges.
The Finance Ministry in a statement said, “we are by this letter sending the recommended rates for input by the Ministry of Roads and Highways to enable this Ministry to finalize the schedule of fees under the upcoming Legislative Instrument”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Parliament’s Roads and Highways Committee in Parliament, Kennedy Osei Nyarko wants road tolls pegged at GH¢5.
Kennedy Osei Nyarko believes that setting the toll at GH¢5 will help the government generate more revenue for the country.
A lecturer in political science at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, has pledged not to let theNational Identification Authority(NIA) top hierarchy destabilize the country.
The NIA in a statement called the bluff of the political science lecturer after it criticised its works.
In a counter statement, Professor Gyampo warned, “you guys can tickle yourselves and laugh just in the quest to protect your jobs. But some of us won’t allow you to plunge Ghana into chaos and flee the country with your Diplomatic or Serviced Passports”.
He added, “I never thought I was this big or important to deserve such an attention from a whole institution that is supposed to be busy focusing on registering people it has been deficient in registering, culminating in long queues, payment of money, and near stampedes at the NIA headquarters”.
He charged NIA’s top officials to work in the interest of the country.
“Professors must analyse things from a holistic viewpoint. There are two sides to every coin and as we seek to build Ghana, our efforts must be aimed at protecting the national interest and not to tout one’s supposed achievements that are highly contentious,” Professor Gyampo advised.
Read Professor Gyampo’s full statement
Dear NIA, I saw a very formal statement of response from your outfit to my banter with Prof Attafuah on Newsfile two weeks ago. I never thought I was this big or important to deserve such an attention from a whole institution that is supposed to be busy focusing on registering people it has been deficient in registering, culminating in long queues, payment of money, and near stampedes at the NIA headquarters.
NIA, your responses are shrouded in half-truths and this is what is referred to as propaganda. You guys can tickle yourselves and laugh just in the quest to protect your jobs. But some of us won’t allow you to plunge Ghana into chaos and flee the country with your Diplomatic or Serviced Passports.
Kindly engage the leaders of the opposition parties again and do not live in the past. The comments of Jerry Rawlings and co, were given in the past and no one has qualms with the relevance of Ghana Card. Indeed, long before Prof Ken Attafuah got his appointment, some of us had argued for the need for all identity cards to be synchronized into one card. So, it’s not a big deal if other eminent statesmen and women applauded the move to have Ghana card.
What is contentious, however, is the disagreement on the use of the Ghana Card as the sole source document for voter registration and the fact that the NIA has hugely imponderable challenges that it’s top officials share only in the private. We need the Ghana Card but let’s hasten slowly. There is no point for this inordinate haste which creates unnecessary feeling of suspicion that has the tendency to lead to implosion, given how the use of Ghana card alone, as the source document for voter registration, could impact hugely on the electoral fortunes of political parties.
Rather than citing what a dead founder of a political party said in support of the Ghana Card, let the NIA listen to the voices of the living about the dangers of intransigence and unwillingness to build consensus on the use of the Card as the sole document for voter registration. Let the NIA and Prof Attafuah not use eloquence and big English to be dismissive of challenges that stares at us in the face. Prof Attafuah was in parliament and he saw the reaction of the minority group. Using one side of the argument of Dominic Ayine on radio to support the counter view that, the NIA doesn’t have trust deficit, is quite disingenuous. Professors must analyze things from a holistic view point. There are two sides to every coin and as we seek to build Ghana, our efforts must be aimed at protecting the national interest and not to tout one’s supposed achievements that are highly contentious.
Yaw Gyampo A31, Prabiw PAV Ansah Street Saltpond & Suro Nipa House Kubease Larteh-Akuapim
Associate Professor of Law at the University of Ghana, Legon, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua says President Akufo-Addo’s deafening silence on the Ashaiman military brutality is rather unfortunate.
According to him, the President should have immediately condemned the violence and taken the Military High Command to task for their shambolic handling of the so-called ‘intelligence-led operation’ which led to the arbitrary arrest of some 187 residents.
He noted that the military’s actions have created a dent in Ghana’s reputation as a democratic state and this would reflect in future human rights index reports.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, he said, “It casts a very bad image on Ghana’s image as a democracy. And so definitely in our next state report whether by US State Department or Freedom House and so on, Ghana’s rating is going to go down because of this brutality which has been meted out to the citizens. And the buck stops with the President, he’s the Commander-in-Chief and he himself has said it before that in such situations that is what should happen.”
He continued that the President’s continuous silence would translate into the military getting away with the brutality, and further worsening civilian-military relations in the country, a situation which could have dire consequences in the future.
“…There has been a pattern of brutality. And what is very important to note is that in this case, in the Wa case, and to some extent the Ejura case and so on the soldiers may have gone on a frolic of their own.
“But this one was a so-called intelligence-led operation orchestrated by the Military High Command and whether it went haywire or not, which I don’t believe was the case, something has gone wrong and somebody should own up. And so far nobody has owned up. And the President should do so. So not saying anything at all is very, very unfortunate,” he said.
He has called on the President to dissociate himself from the statements made by the Defence Minister and his Deputy and possibly dismiss persons in the Military High Command who sanctioned the operation.
“There is what we call accountability and the soldiers are supposed to be accountable to a civilian authority. And the civilian authority is the Commander-in-Chief and he should make sure that by this time there would have been some dismissals, if people would not resign, there would have been some dismissals.
“…so the government and the president should own up and he should dissociate himself from the statement made by the Defence and the Deputy Minister to say that ‘no this is not how the operation should have been orchestrated, so you’re suspended, you’re dismissed,’” he said.
Elizabeth Frances Sey, the first female to obtain a degree from the University of Ghana, graduated in 1953 – just 5 years after the establishment of the school. But it took 70 years to get a woman to lead the same university which had been producing female graduates for 65 years.
At the students’ front, it took 59 years after the establishment of the University to get a female elected as leader of the Students Representative Council. Since then, two more have occupied that high office, even though one’s tenure was interim.
The decades of female absence in positions of influence within the University and even outside of it, are evidence of the subtle patriarchal wiring of the Ghanaian society. For instance, in Parliament, out of 275 members, there are only 35 female MPs. The figure represents only 12.75% of the entire Parliament
In the past decade or so, there has been a significant reversal of this rather unequal outlook of representation and decision-making in Ghana. Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo, first woman Speaker of Parliament, Justice Rtd. Georgina Theodora Wood, first woman Chief Justice, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, first woman Chief of Staff, and a host of other powerful women who were the first females to have occupied such roles.
Globally, efforts are being made to increase the number of women playing important roles in various disciplines. In politics and governance, sports, and corporate leadership, deliberate efforts are being made to encourage women’s participation.
At the University of Ghana, an affirmative action policy was introduced at the student level to increase female enrolment, especially in male-dominated programmes and staff positions. This, together with the conscious mentoring of young female academics and staff members, has been a major strategy employed by the University, even before the publication of a recent study on gender disparities in Ghana’s tertiary education system.
The study published by Kimberly Christel mentioned sexual harassment and an absence of female authority figures as contributory factors. It appears to me that these issues are being tackled head-on at the University of Ghana. The results of these efforts are beginning to be seen, at least in more ways than one.
Apart from being the first and only tertiary institution to have all of its current principal officers as women, the University of Ghana currently has about 50% of its central administration heads as females. The University is also seeing an increasing number of females, heading its academic units.
In a more immediate impact of these efforts, the University of Ghana, which is the country’s biggest tertiary institution, has registered a higher female to male ratio for the first time in recent history. In the latest admission cycle, the University recorded a 51:49 female-to-male admissions ratio, exceeding its target set for female enrollment.
Partly due to the University’s equitable admission policy, many females are now able to pursue higher education in even some of the most male dominated courses.
I have met two brilliant ladies from the Information Technology and Computer Engineering departments – Angela and Alhassan.
Angela enrolled to study Information Technology with a grade point of 11; a programme that has just about 20% of its population currently being female.
Alhassan, on the other hand, gained admission to study Computer Engineering with a grade point of 12. At the moment, she is working with a multinational tech company in Accra. Less than a quarter of students (22.1%) currently taking the Computer Engineering programme are females.
Without the affirmative action policy, Angela, Alhassan, and several thousands of other females might have had to rethink their career choices or at worst, forever deal with what would have been an inconsiderate system.
This, in my opinion, makes a compelling case for University of Ghana’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 which calls for actions to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.
What other strategies have been adopted?
In 2006, the University established the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA), a unit mandated to promote advocacy and initiate policies on gender in the University. This has greatly aided “efforts towards gender mainstreaming,” Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo says.
In keeping with its goal of becoming a top-tier tertiary institution, the University adopted about nine strategic priorities almost a decade ago. Ensuring “gender and diversity are enshrined in all aspects of its institutional culture, in a way that sets the example for all other academic and non-academic institutions to follow”, was one of those priorities.
In a few days, University authorities will take another step in its commitment to increasing access to females through the launch of a gender policy.
“Since the female gender has been the underrepresented gender for many years, there has naturally been an emphasis on making sure that females feel comfortable in the university and harassment of all kinds are minimized,” Prof. Amfo expressed.
Almost a decade ago, the University adopted a sexual harassment and misconduct policy as part of efforts to create a safe space for females within its community. This policy also established an anti-sexual harassment committee which conducts investigations and issues sanctions against culprits.
What are the results?
Currently, there are more female undergraduate students at the University than males.
At the master’s and PhD. levels, things are different. Again, there are more male students with disabilities at the University than female students.
There is a steady rise in the number of females pursuing programmes such as Material Science and Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Sports and Physical Cultural Studies and Information Technology, and Computer Engineering.
Female enrollment in Midwifery, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Nutrition and Dietetics, are at their highest, data from the University indicates.
Despite these, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Amfo, believes that even though the University is a leader in fostering a gender-balanced atmosphere, there is still much work to be done.
“We need to work towards having more female role models across disciplines and in leadership positions to continue to inspire younger women. We still have a lot more male lecturers and senior administrators and professionals and more in the senior ranks. The current optics of having females in significant leadership positions also help in motivating the females.”
The way forward
It is commendable that Ghana’s oldest and largest University has demonstrated such a strong commitment to foster a gender-balanced community because it has paved the way and showed other academic and non-academic organizations that it is feasible.
Various stakeholders must come together in support of the University to achieve even more as it seeks and chart this noble path.
Also, at the national level, there is the need to move away from the rhetoric and start implementing policies that will create safe and enabling spaces for women to hold high offices.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
The author holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism. He is a fact-checker with Dubawa Ghana and a Civil/Public Servant.
