The professor played a crucial role in the founding of the University of Ghana, and his memory will forever be inscribed in the institution’s history. He now has a new hall named in his honor.
But what really is the story of the good old professor?
Professor Alexander Adum Kwapong died at the age of 87 in August 2014, but by age 26, he was already lecturing at the University of Ghana and by 30, had earned his PhD.
Kwapong would go on to become the first Ghanaian Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana nine years after, when he was 39-years-old.
Before that, however, he become a professor at the age of 35, well on his way to becoming UG’s vice-chancellor years later
Born in March 1927 and only affectionately known as Kwabena Sei at the time, the youngAlexander Kwapong pursued education so hard, becoming one of the few people to lecture in Ghana at a time when the country had not even gained its independence yet.
According to multiple accounts online, when Kwapong started lecturing at the age of 26, he was so brilliant that he taught subjects such as Greek, Latin, and Ancient History, distinguishing himself because not many people in the country could even speak English at the time.
Pulling no breaks on his academic career, Prof Alexander Kwapong’s hard work become so noticeable that ahead of his appointment as the vice-chancellor, he had served as a pro-vice chancellor of the institution under Cruise Connor O’Brien, an Irishman who was then vice-chancellor.
Upon taking up the job of vice-chancellor in 1966, he served until he retired in 1976 but that was not the end of the man, seeing that even at that time, he was relatively still very young.
Moving on from there, Alexander Kwapong went on to become the Vice Rector of the UN University in Tokyo, Japan, in that same year.
He spent the following years in Japan until 1988 when he had another opportunity to go to the University of Canada.
Regarded as his last foreign stint academically, when Professor Alexander Kwapong returned to Ghana, he continued to write about his life, while serving as the Chairman of the Council of State of Ghana from 2001 to 2005.
According to one of the online reports on the professor, he left indelible footprints at the Commonwealth Universities Association, the Association of African Universities, The Commonwealth of Learning for Higher Education and Distance Learning, Education Reforms Committee in Ghana, the World Philosophy and Humanities Council, among others.
In August 2014, the death of Prof Kwapong was reported, bringing to an end his 87 years serving humanity.
In the words of Prof Ernest Aryeetey, also a former Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Alex Kwapong’s “memoirs recount the trajectory of his career from school days in Ghana to Cambridge University in the UK and back to Ghana, followed by a distinguished international career in the furtherance of higher education and development on the continent.”
According to him, the lawmakers have always put the interest of their respective parties ahead of the interest of their constituents.
His comments come as Ghana’s Parliament commemorates the 30th anniversary of Parliamentary Democracy under the Fourth Republic.
The celebration is under the theme: “Thirty years of Parliamentary democracy under the Fourth Republic: The journey thus far.”
Speaking on the JoyNews’ Newsfile, on Saturday, the professor bemoaned the focus of parliamentarians on party interest.
According to him, the legislative arm of government is supposed to use its power to counter the powers of the executive arm of government when necessary. In this respect, he said the parliamentarians under the fourth republic have failed abysmally.
His said another challenge facing the country as regards our democracy is the nomination of parliamentarians as ministers.
Prof Gyampo explained that the lawmakers who get appointed by their party in power, relent in subjecting the activities of the government to rigorous scrutiny.
“The practice where we appoint Members of Parliament as ministers hasn’t really helped. Once you are appointed as minister, it becomes difficult for the minister to go to Parliament to oppose and subject whatever is emanating from the executive arm of government to rigorous scrutiny. There are also Members of Parliament whose party is in government and who are not appointed as ministers. They also see that the more they shout yeah – yeah, the more they improve their chances of being appointed ministers in the event of a reshuffle,” he said.
Touching on Parliament’s role of exercising oversight responsibility on the public purse, Professor Gyampo said although the current Minority Caucus has made some strides in preventing the government from including some unnecessary items in the budget, they have approved virtually every other budget that has been presented to them.
He said although Parliament may not score zero in his evaluation, they have not lived up to expectations either.
Addressing the role of representation, Prof Gyampo explained that it is the duty of parliamentarians to represent and satisfy the interests of constituents, national, and partisan interests.
However, he pointed out that it appears that from 1992 till date, Members of Parliament have sought to satisfy the interests of the political party they are affiliated to and, in effect, neglected to protect and satisfy the national and constituents’ interests.
He said, “If you are asking me to rate them in terms of their representation function, then they have not performed so well.”
“It appears the political parties outside Parliament or the parties to which they belong wield a lot of influence, and want to control these individual parliamentarians more than the constituents should do, and that’s how come oftentimes, when there’s going to be parliamentary elections, MPs who have not done so well in protecting the interest of their constituents will go there begging …,” Prof Gyampo stressed.
The government has been entreated to work closely with the various stakeholders to bring down food inflation.
According to a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics of the University of Ghana, Professor Eric Osei-Assibey, this was a smart way of reducing inflation.
Recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service showed that food inflation went up to 61 per cent in January 2023, from 59.7 per cent in December 2022.
Professor Osei-Assibey said, “This requires the adoption of such policy to bring the rate of food inflation down”.
Speaking at the launch of the American Chamber of Commerce-Ghana 2023 Economic Outlook Report, he said the government should be deliberate in its attempt to support the agriculture value chain.
“Looking at the current hike in food inflation, it has to do with our inability to produce enough for what we consume which is serious. So I am of the view that if we are able to come out of this crisis, we need to be deliberate on our approach for good policies to support farming on a large scale,” he stated He called for investments in the sector and requested banks to review a number of the sector’s support initiatives.
He again urged the government to step up efforts to raise domestic tax collection.
“When we have banks supporting agriculture, I think it will help to ensure a robust economy. We need investment at this point in the agriculture value chain. There is also the need for the government to rake in more revenue to support various sectors of the economy,” he added.
The American Chamber of Commerce Ghana 2023 Economic Outlook report provided insight into government’s tax provisions, fiscal and monetary development, debt sustainability, and key macroeconomic performance and targets.
The University of Ghana has launched three postgraduate genetics programmes to prepare specialists to treat diseases like sickle cell, breast, and prostate cancer there.
Master of Science (MSc) in Genetic Counseling, Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Medical Molecular Genetics are the latest programs.
They are an essential component of the university’s West Africa Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), which was established in August of last year and is run by the GhGenome project.
Seven students began the MSc in Genetic Counseling in January of last year, making it the first program of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.
And this academic year, six students have been admitted to pursue the programme.
The Director of the centre, Prof. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, who disclosed this in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra, also said a Genomic Medicine Complex building was being constructed at the university to support the training of more health professionals in genetics.
“We hope by the end of the initial funding of the centre in 2025, we would have trained close to 100 students with master’s degrees in various aspects of genetics, about 45 PhDs in different areas of genetics, as well as help develop the consciousness of citizens about genetics,” Prof. Ofori-Acquah, who is also a former Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences of the university, said.
He added that “we don’t have genetic counselling training in the country. There are other health professionals who have some knowledge to help you understand your genetics but they are not genetic counsellors,” he said.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah also said that the country did not have free standing genetic health clinics except for sickle cell, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
What is genetics?
Prof. Ofori-Acquah, who is a world-renowned researcher and academician in sickle cell disease and genetics, further explained that genetics was a branch of biology that focused on inheritance.
It is about things inherited from parents such as height, colour of skin and length of fingers, he said. Genetic counsellors are geneticists who interact with patients to explain the process to them, while medical molecular geneticists are people who work in the laboratory.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah said one of the things the centre would do was to mobilise enough funds to ensure that the training programmes were sustained beyond 2025 when the initial funding from the World Bank would have ended.
GhGenome project
The GhGenome project, according to Prof. Ofori-Acquah, who is credited with developing the first mouse model of acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease, was to increase awareness of genetics and its role in well-being, general health and diseases.
It was also to help build the capacity of the country to provide services in genetic health.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah said as part of the awareness process, the centre provided free screening for diseases such as sickle cell disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
The Genome scientist further said that the country had not done enough on awareness creation of citizens testing to know their genetic status.
He, therefore, called on the people to take the GhGenome Pledge to find out their sickle cell status before marriage, get their newborn babies tested for sickle cell disease before their first immunisation and also find out the risk of getting breast cancer, among other diseases.
The University of Ghana has granted bail in the sum of GH $50,000 for the 18students who were detained for allegedly causing disturbances on campus.
The students were picked up last week by the Ghana Police Service following a clash on the University of Ghana campus on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
The 18 were among aggrieved past and continuing students who stormed the University premises to protest Management’s new residential policy restricting continuing students from occupying the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah residential Halls to make way for level 100 and graduate students.
Subsequently, the students were put before an Accra Circuit Court and remanded into custody for unlawful conduct.
Appearing before Circuit Court 4 on February 20, the students were granted bail with two common sureties without justification.
Counsel for 16 of the 18 students, Albert Quashigah speaking after the court proceedings said the defense was only in court today to seek bail for the students which was granted.
“Our business today was only to apply for bail and the judge was generous and granted us the bail, and we are now taking steps to execute the bail that has been granted to us”.
Though he was optimistic, he feared the processes of the court may delay the bail execution and have the students released by the end of day today.
“This administrative process of the court can be a bit delayed, and we are hoping to execute the bail and have the students freed by the close of the day. It can take some time, but I am only hoping that we will be able to execute the bail to free these students, so they can return back to their studies,” Mr. Quashigah added.
Professor Ernest Aryeetey, a former vice chancellor of the University of Ghana, has raised concern about the deterioration in tertiary education quality on the African continent.
Prof. Aryeetey, who has over four decades in the tertiary education space bemoaned the lack of attempts to resolve the challenges confronting tertiary education in Africa.
“We have a long way to go because there has been a lot of retrogression over the years in many of Africa’s universities,” Prof. Aryeeteytold the host of Footprints on Citi TV, Samuel Attah-Mensah.
“There has been a lack of willingness to confront difficult challenges and this is found in universities across the African continent,” he added.
To confront the challenges, Prof. Aryeetey currently runs the African Research Universities Alliance which is a network of 16 of Africa’s flagship universities aimed at using the resources of universities that are doing well to improve struggling ones.
“The challenge for us is how to use their [improved universities] resources to improve others through collaboration,” he said.
Professor Aryeetey made positive and bold impacts at the University of Ghana during his tenure as Vice Chancellor from 2010 to 2016.
Among the major highlights of his tenure was facilitating the construction of the University of Ghana Medical Center which he describes as his proudest moment as Vice-Chancellor.
According to Professor Ernest Aryeetey, a former vice chancellor of the University of Ghana, the University of Ghana Medical Center’s building was his biggest accomplishment while serving in that position.
The former administrative head of the University said plans for having a facility on campus to train medical doctors had been in circulation since the 1960s but it was during his tenure that the dream was realized.
In an interview with Samuel Attah-Mensah, host of Footprints on Citi TV, Prof. Aryeetey disclosed that the construction of the medical centre put smiles on the faces of his predecessors when he took them to the site after a lunch organized for former Vice Chancellors.
“One of my proudest moments as a Vice Chancellor was when I took the late Professor Alex Kwapong to the University of Ghana Medical Centre and he was in tears when we got to the construction site. He was in tears because it was a dream come true from the 1960s. The University has been talking about having a teaching hospital and finally, the University was now building a teaching hospital.”
He said Prof. Kwapong applauded him for the bold initiative and encouraged him to keep taking such initiatives to develop the University which he took to heart.
“He [Professor Kwapong] said I am glad you have made it possible, I am glad you are helping us to live our dreams”
“Alex Kwapong told me that if I wanted to succeed, I should take a few things and focus on them because the likelihood of doing a lot of things and succeeding was low,” he added.
The University of Ghana Medical Center is a 650-bed capacity facility that was commissioned in January 2017 but was not in use for several months and was followed by several protests and calls for the operationalization of the Center.
It was initially scheduled to open in November 2017 but was kept locked from the public due to a tussle between the Minister of Health and the University of Ghana over the management of the $217 million facility.
Management of the University of Ghanahas reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing regulations that will keep the institution secure and comfortable for all students.
The University has put in place comprehensive measures such as the installation of CCTVs to offers apprehend anyone who wants to flout the directive of the University.
At a news conference to update the media on newly approved fees and the arrest of 18 persons who forcibly entered the University and attacked the University Security, the Registrar, Emelia Agyei-Mensah, said the new arrangement which offers residential facilities to level 100 students culminating into full in-out-out Policy by 2025/2026 academic year, has led to a number of court cases.
She said the University will be guided by the legal team to ensure the right thing is done.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare, said accommodation of students has impacted the University for many years.
He is however optimistic the new approach to accommodation will help spread out the students and curb vandalism.
Regarding the adjustment in Academic Facility User fees for the 2022/2023 academic year, Prof Awandare, maintained that fees charged are not illegal as being purported by a section of the public.
He advised those who have challenges in settling their fees to contact the Students Financial Aid Office for assistance.
At a news conference that was organized by both political parties in Accra, members of parliament from the Old VandalsAssociation criticized the University of Ghana’s administration for trying to sabotage Commonwealth Hall’s culture and heritage.
Builsa South MP, Clement Apak addressed the media in Parliament today and used the opportunity to accuse the university of attempting to be a law onto itself.
“We are cautioning the police to be very circumspect in what they do about the impasse between Commonwealth Hall and the university. We believe and hope that the impasse can be resolved amicably, but in the meantime, we expect the university to respect the rules of the land.”
“As alumni of Commonwealth Hall from both sides of the house, we are displeased with how the University of Ghanahas gone about things. We fail to understand why the university is failing to respect the law.”
The University revoked the tenancy of continuing students from the two halls as a punitive measure after clashes between some students of the two halls led to the destruction of the bust of John Mensah Sarbah.
According to the university, all continuing students of the Commonwealth Hall – an all-male hall – and continuing male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall will not return to their halls nor to any of the traditional halls.
But the students expressed their displeasure about the move insisting that the decision is ill-intended and poses financial challenges to them as the new halls offered are extremely expensive.
Authorities atUniversity of Ghana, Legon has defended itself against claims that it disregarded a court order to stop the implementation of its new residential policy for some campus residence halls.
The university, in a press statement, insisted that though it did not second the injunction secured over the modality in Mensah Sarbah Hall and Commonwealth Hall, it complied.
This follows police clashes with students on February 14, during a protest where some affected former residents of the Commonwealth Halllamented the management’s lack of response to the court ruling.
The development led to the arrest of some 18 persons by the Ghana Police Service, some of whom the University says are not students.
In the statement dated February 16, the Registrar, Emelia Agyei-Mensah explained that “in spite of the difficulty in comprehending the ex parte order, as it related to a decision that did not exist, upon receipt of the order, the University immediately stopped further allocation of rooms at Commonwealth Hall out of the abundance of caution.”
The university clarified that it released the “second order of the Court by the same judge was obtained on February 9, 2023, and served on the University on February 14, 2023, the same day that the illegal procession and breach of peace by the group took place.”
The press release also reminded students of the institution’s regulations and advised that appropriate channels are explored in seeking redress devoid of violence.
“Any student who attempts to disrupt the peace on campus will be dealt with according to the laws and regulations of the university,” it added.
Meanwhile, the management also clarified that there is no ‘residential board’ in place orchestrating any policy regarding students’ residency on campus.
Rather, the administration indicated that the decision to relocate continuing students from Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls to UGEL halls was made in accordance with University Council directives.
It indicated that “On January 6, 2023, the University received an ex parte order restraining the University from among others, implementing a decision of the University on a residence policy dated October 26, 2022. The University wishes to reiterate that it had not implemented a ‘residential policy decision’ dated October 26, 2022.
The statement further mentioned that there is no ‘Residence Board’ as stipulated in the accusations purported to be supervising room allocations.
“The second order was cast in similar language as the first and referred to a particular decision of the University’s ‘Residence Board’ made at a meeting of October 26, 2022. Again, the University has explained that it has not implemented a decision of the ‘Residence Board’ on residency of students dated October 26, 2022.”
It reiterated that the University Council is the body set up by law to among others to ‘do or provide for any act or thing in relation to the University which the Council considers necessary or expedient in its capacity as the governing body of the University.’
Notwithstanding the admission, it was also pointed out that the administration of the university granted all students who had been genuinely affected by the relocation the opportunity to register for housing in the UGEL halls.
“By the time the order was made, almost ninety percent (90%) of the said students had accepted residency in the re-assigned halls while about eighty (80%) of the students have actually paid and taken up residence in the re-assigned halls. Financial support was available for students who genuinely had difficulty in paying the residential fees charged for the UGEL Halls,” excerpts of the release statement indicated.
Ransford Gyampo, a professor at theUniversity of Ghana, has denounced the violent behavior of the university students who engaged in violence on Tuesday, February 14.
Prof Gyampo said on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Tuesday, February 14 that the students cannot be allowed to continue their lawless act.
“Some are saying the court has given an injunction so they are going to implement it, it is an act of lawlessness,” he said.
Following the disturbances, the Police said that security has been deepened on the University of Ghana campus for academic activities to continue without any hindrance.
Some University of Ghana students clash with the police in an attempt to reoccupy their hall of residence after court ruling.#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/zrUPTh7uEg
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 14, 2023
Earlier, an Accra High court injuncted the residential policy decision by the University of after some frustrated students of the Commonwealth Hall on Friday January 6, 2023, filed a lawsuit against the university for directing residing students to seek accommodation outside the campus.
Some students on Tuesday February 14 clashed with the police in an attempt to reoccupy their hall of residence after the court ruling.
The Police arrested 18 of them for the disturbances.
The 18 suspects were together with about 200 others believed to be former members of the Commonwealth Hall of the university.
The Police have been able to contain the situation and calm has since been restored.
All 18 suspects are in Police custody and will be put before the court to face justice.
Security has since been deepened on the campus for academic activities to continue without any hindrance.
“We would like to give the assurance that all other persons involved in the disturbances will be arrested and brought to face justice,” the Police said in a statement.
Eighteen people have been apprehended by the Police following a clash on the University of Ghana campus on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
The 18 were among aggrieved (past and present) students who stormed the University premises to protest Management’s silence on the school’s accommodation crisis.
Their protest follows an injunction on the implementation of the residential policy.
Recall that on January 6, 2023, secured an interim injunction against the implementation of the policy revoking the residential status of continuing students of both Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls.
However, management of the institution failed to heed to the court order.
The agitated students have accused the school authorities of contempt of court over their failure to adhere to the injunction.
The students became agitated and engaged in a standoff with the police, who had been called in to stop them from entering Commonwealth Hall.
Lamenting over the situation, one student indicated that a private hostel he was assigned due to the directive requires that he pays GHs4,000 which he cannot afford.
“I am one of the people who couldn’t pay… as we speak today, we have been sacked from those halls,” he said.
On Tuesday, University of Ghana students clashed with some heavily armed police officers outside Commonwealth Hall.
The security personnel at the forecourt of theCommonwealth Hallprevented aggrieved former occupants as they tried to make entry into the hall.
After stiff resistance from the police, the students claimed they have secured an interlocutory injunction to reside in the hall.
The latest stand-off comes on the back of the university management’s new residential policy indicating that continuing students are supposed to occupy other halls apart from the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls to make way for level 100 and graduate students.
In an interview with Citi News, a member of the Academic Communication Team of the university, Professor Ransford Gyampo described the attitude of the students as lawless and urged them to use the appropriate channels to meet their grievances since the matter is still in court.
“It is this kind of lawlessness that vindicates the position that position the university has taken. There is a ban on processions on campus…some groups feel they don’t like the decision that the University has taken, and so they have taken the university to court.
“Before the substance of the matter is heard, they ask for an injunction. Merely asking for an injunction or even if a court grants an injunction, does not preclude those who have been injuncted from asking for a stay of execution and appealing against the decision. So it is lawless for someone to say that the court has granted an injuncted, so we are going to enforce the injunction ourselves.”
Some students of the University of Ghana, Legon are helping save the environment through innovative means.
The students from the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, have started converting plastic wastes into three different kinds of fuel.
It is producing petrol, diesel, and gas from plastic waste.
This is done by reprocessing them into high-value fuels and chemicals for households or small running engines.
Professor David Dodoo-Arhin, the Director of the Institute, told the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a five-day workshop on Monday.
The reactor yields three litres of fuel when fed with three kilograms of waste plastic depending on the conditions the waste was subjected to.
“The fuel is up to standard and is usable. We have been cooking with gas and our cars are running the petrol and diesel,” he said
The model, he said, included all the people in the value chain, especially the collectors, and could be a good avenue for job creation for many people.
Prof. Doodo said the project was under the plastics-to-fuel initiative, which started in 2018 with initial funding support from the University of Ghana BANGA Africa seed grant programme.
He said it was followed by two-year funding in 2021, through the University of Ghana Research Fund “multidisciplinary category” and in 2022, another two-year co-funding by the French Embassy’s “FSPI NYANSAPO programme.
Prof. Doodo said the initiative was in line with the Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership to support the public and private sector transition to a plastic circular economy thereby, ensuring sustainable plastic management.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in a statement delivered on her behalf, said the plastic waste menace continued to pose challenges to the environmental and socioeconomic well-being of the country.
She said there was a need for sustainable waste management systems to help stem the debilitating consequences of plastic waste nationwide.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the 20th Anniversary team of the School of Engineering Sciences and the 75th Anniversary of the University of Ghana.
It was funded by the French Embassy and on the theme: “Strengthening research and innovation capacities in sustainable energy production”.
Mr. Jules Armand Aniambossou, the French Ambassador to Ghana, said ensuring access to higher education and research were high priorities of his country and reiterated the country’s commitment to the project.
He said it was the aim of the French Government to increase the collaboration between the educational institutions of the two countries
through new partnerships, exchanges, joint curricula, double diplomas, joint research programmes, and joint research facilities.
“All these activities and programmes should focus on the priorities of our partner countries and aim at contributing to their development through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
The University of Ghana has begun converting plastic waste into three different types of fuel at the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
It is producing petrol, diesel, and gas from plastic waste.
This is done by reprocessing them into high-value fuels and chemicals for households or small running engines.
Professor David Dodoo-Arhin, the Director of the Institute, told the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a five-day workshop on Monday.
The reactor yields three litres of fuel when fed with three kilograms of waste plastic depending on the conditions the waste was subjected to.
“The fuel is up to standard and is usable. We have been cooking with gas and our cars are running the petrol and diesel,” he said
The model, he said, included all the people in the value chain, especially the collectors, and could be a good avenue for job creation for many people.
Prof. Doodo said the project was under the plastics-to-fuel initiative, which started in 2018 with initial funding support from the University of Ghana BANGA Africa seed grant programme.
He said it was followed by two-year funding in 2021, through the University of Ghana Research Fund “multidisciplinary category” and in 2022, another two-year co-funding by the French Embassy’s “FSPI NYANSAPO programme.
Prof. Doodo said the initiative was in line with the Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership to support the public and private sector transition to a plastic circular economy thereby, ensuring sustainable plastic management.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in a statement delivered on her behalf, said the plastic waste menace continued to pose challenges to the environmental and socioeconomic well-being of the country.
She said there was a need for sustainable waste management systems to help stem the debilitating consequences of plastic waste nationwide.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the 20th Anniversary team of the School of Engineering Sciences and the 75th Anniversary of the University of Ghana.
It was funded by the French Embassy and on the theme: “Strengthening research and innovation capacities in sustainable energy production”.
Mr. Jules Armand Aniambossou, the French Ambassador to Ghana, said ensuring access to higher education and research were high priorities of his country and reiterated the country’s commitment to the project.
He said it was the aim of the French Government to increase the collaboration between the educational institutions of the two countries
through new partnerships, exchanges, joint curricula, double diplomas, joint research programmes, and joint research facilities.
“All these activities and programmes should focus on the priorities of our partner countries and aim at contributing to their development through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
Sister of the late former Prime Minister, Dr. Abrefa Busia, has revealed that her late brother was the first African lecturer as well as the first to occupy a chair at the University College of the Gold Coast, now called University of Ghana.
Ama Bame Busia during an interview with Citi TV’s ‘Footprint TV’ program said “He was a lecturer at Legon. The first African to become a professor in Legon.”
From 1969 to 1972, Dr. Abrefa Busia served as Ghana’s Prime Minister. He is credited with working to end military rule in Ghana and establish civilian governance.
He made significant advancements in education, which seems to have been his first love before he fully embraced politics.
Born in Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo Region in July 11, 1913, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia received his basic education at the Methodist School in Wenchi, his secondary education at the Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast and then furthered to the Achimota College.
After this, he gained his first degree with Honours in Medieval and Modern History from the University of London and went on to study at the University College in Oxford as the first African student.
Though he returned to the Gold Coast after his first degree, he went back to achieve higher feats in Oxford.
In 1947, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Anthropology at the Nuffield College in Oxford – England and returned to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) to continue his teaching profession.
According to Ama Bame Busia, her older brother, Dr. Busia had to, at a point in his career, fled the country into exile because of political tensions in the country between him (as leader of then Ghana Congress Party which later became the United Party) against then President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
“This was during the time that political tension between Dr. Busia and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was at its height and Kwame Nkrumah wanted to arrest and detain Dr. Busia in July 1959 so he had to leave the country.
“The political tension was so high that they gave him an ultimatum either to stop teaching and do full-time politics or stop politics and do full-time teaching and he chose politics.
“He was compelled to leave the teaching field. He was teaching sociology,” she added.
University of Ghana students who are dissatisfied with several administration decisions have gathered in Accra’s Obra Spot to protest.
Students of the university, especially residents of the Commonwealth and Sarbah Halls have been protesting the decision of the university to allow only level 100 students into those halls and relocate continuing students to other hostels.
The new directive to reassign the continuing students to other halls comes on the back of numerous clashes recorded between students of the respective halls in times past.
Hundreds of students who returned to school in January were prevented from entering those two halls and were asked to go to other halls.
The students are also accusing the university management of increasing fees by more than the 15% approved by Parliament.
Citi News‘ Charles Owusu Kumi who reported from the Obra Spot on Friday said the students who are in their hundreds said some of the decisions of the university are unfair and put a huge financial burden on the students.
The students who were clad in red and black bands called on the government to come to their aid and stop the university management from enforcing the unpopular decision.
Ghanaian rapper, Amerado Burner has announced his enrolment in Ghana’s premier university, the University of Ghana, Legon.
Taking to his Twitter page on Monday, January 1, 2023, the 2022 3Music Awards Rapper of the Year winner said he has enrolled into the school as a first-year student.
He, however, did not disclose any further details about his new academic journey.
Derrick Sarfo Kantanka known by the stage name Amerado is a Ghanaian rapper from Kumasi. He rose to fame for his rap music in Ghana in 2018.
Amerado was born and raised in Ejisu, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. He attended KNUST Senior High School for his senior high school education.
He started his career when he was discovered by Azee Ntwene in 2015 as he emerged third at the Solid FM Freestyle Show to join fellow rapper Strongman Burner at MicBurnerz Music.
He was summoned to feature on the GH Youth All-Stars hosted by Mix Master Garzy to compose the official peace song for the 2016 general elections held in Ghana.
In 2017, Amerado released his lead single “I AM” which announced his presence in the music industry in Ghana. The song was rated 3rd in the Top 10 Ghanaian songs of January 2017 listed by Pulse Ghana.
He released his first EP titled Rapmare under the MicBurnerz Music label in November 2017. He was called up later in 2018 to feature on the most talked about hip hop song ‘Biibi Ba’ by Sarkodie.
The song was nominated for the Best Hiphop Song and Best Edited Video at the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
On 1 October 2020, the founding father of the popular music genre hiplife, Reggie Rockstone took to his Twitter page to announce Amerado as one of the best rappers to ever come from Ghana.
He won the 2022 3Music Award Rapper of the Year beating stiff competition from several heavyweights.
In late 2022, Amerdo released his studio album titled GINA. Prior to the album, he released an EP also titled Patience.
According to him, Africa only accounts for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and even if the continent consumes all of its available gas, it will still make up less than 4%.
On the topic of “Energy Transition: Reflections on the State of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry,” the Energy Minister was speaking at the University of Ghana.
He reminded the gathering that the National Energy Transition Framework launched by H.E. the President in Egypt during COP27 has been developed to provide the path to achieving net zero emission by 2070.
I reminded the gathering that the National Energy Transition Framework launched by H.E. the President in Egypt during COP27 has been developed to provide the path to achieving net zero emission by 2070. This is to be pursued while ensuring socio-economic growth and the utilization of natural resources.
I further rehashed Ghana’s position, which is, to be allowed to use our natural resources to develop our nation, providing jobs and security in the overall context of our economic development.
I also indicated that what makes the African case much more logical is that we contribute less than 4% of total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and even if we burn our combined gas resources, we will still contribute less than 4%.
This, I believe is the more reason we must not shy away from attracting the needed investment for our oil and gas resources.
I congratulate warmly, the University of Ghana for 75 years of uninterrupted provision of quality education to men and women of our nation, who have contributed to nation building across every spectrum of life. Ayekoo!
Actor and politician, John Dumelo, has been honoured by the University of Ghana, Legon.
Dumelo’s philanthropic gestures to students of the oldest and largest public university have not gone unnoticed.
In view of this, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has rewarded John Dumelo with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his generous support to the school’s Students’ Financial Aid.
Since he became a politician, Dumelo has not only made an impact in the agricultural sector but paid fees for many needy but brilliant students. The intent is in pursuit to develop world-class human resources with the capabilities to meet national development needs.
In reaction, Dumelo expressed appreciation to the school’s management for granting him the well-deserved honour.
The University of Ghana’s management has refuted reports that some students, particularly former Commonwealth Hall tenants, have been left stranded on campus as a result of the implementation of the new housing policy.
In a press statement, the management said that the purported students who claimed to be stranded on its campus are individuals who have been hired to attract media attention to paint the institution black to the populace.
The statement furthered that one of such persons, being used to attract media attention has been arrested by the university security and upon interrogation, he has confirmed being lured to pose as a stranded student of the institution.
“It has come to the attention of the Management of the University of Ghana that some unscrupulous individuals are influencing students of the University and other persons to pose as stranded former students of commonwealth Hall.
“One of such persons, being used to attract media attention, was arrested by the university security and has confessed to living in commonwealth hall illegally last academic year. He confirmed that he was lured to pose as a stranded student and slept in front of the commonwealth hall during the night of Monday, January 16, 2023, to gain media attention. he has been handed over to the police for further investigations,” part of the statement read.
The statement added that all former legal residents of Commonwealth Hall and male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall have been assigned rooms at UGEL halls on its campus.
“Management assures parents and the general public that all legal residents of commonwealth hall and male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall Have been duly assigned rooms at UGEL halls. Measures have also been put in place to assist students who have genuine financial difficulty with paying the residential fees in the UGEL halls, “the Statements added.
He said that this government program will lessen the problem of “change” among passengers and bus drivers.
If you want to ride a trotro, all you have to do is ask the driver for his or her mobile money number, and then you may transfer the money. The rare altercation between passengers and conductors over a few cedis changes will be reduced thanks to this innovation, he said.
Read the full story originally published on 23 January 2018 by Ghananewsagency
Patrons of commercial vehicles “tro-tro,” would pay their transportation fare via digital means after the passage of Payment System and Service Bill is passed by Parliament.
“This innovation will curtail the occasional scuffle between passengers and conductors over few Cedis change”.
Speaking on a topic ‘Innovative Financial Service for Business and SME’s Development’, at a symposium held at the University of Ghana, Dr Afari noted that the regulation would allow most traditional payments to be done digitally and would change payment in Ghana and reduce queues at the banking halls.
”Last year, we organised a stakeholders forum to discuss and review the Electronic Management Guidelines and Payment System Act and consolidated it into one piece of legislation which is now called the Payment System and Services bill. We have met the economic management team to make a case for the passage of the bill,” he mentioned.
The Bill therefore seeks to promote the availability and acceptance of electronic money and other forms of payment services as retail payment medium. It also seeks to create an enabling regulatory environment for convenient, efficient and safe retail payment and funds transfer mechanisms as well as provide the necessary safeguards and controls to mitigate the risks associated with electronic money business and other payment services.
The Deputy Governor said the Bank of Ghana had observed that the public had shown interest and appreciated recent innovative ways using technology to transact business.
He said after the introduction of formal banking in Ghana over 60 years ago, only 11.4 million out of the about 28 million Ghanaians had bank accounts. He noted however that after the institution of electronic money issuance guidelines in 2015, over 23 million people now have mobile money accounts “if we consider that as an account”.
He said penetrating into low-income communities by banks had been hindered by the high cost of building and rentals as well as operational overhead cost. Dr Afari noted that while brick-and-mortar branches were expensive for banks to maintain in rural and deprived communities, the cost of travelling to urban areas was also high for many rural customers.
”The institution of electronic money issuance guidelines, payment system in 2015 which sought to promote and supervise electronic and other payments, will help in funds transfer, clearing and settlement systems and has helped the Telecom’s to collaborate with banks to provide financial service to people especially SMEs.
The high prevalence of mobile phones and other electronic devices have made it convenient to expand access to financial services across the country,” he argued.
Recently, a University of Ghana student visited the White House and met with President Joe Biden.
Sekou Berthe was captured in a photo with Biden at the Oval Office at the American presidency.
In the photos, Berthe, clad in traditional African attire, shakes his host, with both men beaming with smiles.
The photos were shared by the University of Ghana’s International Programmes Office on Twitter.
The caption of the tweet identified Berthe as a “PhD student” of the university, adding that he had “recently presented his credentials to H.E. Joseph Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.”
Sekou Berthe is a Malian diplomat and the country’s ambassador to the United States.
See the tweet below:
H.E. Sekou Berthe, Ambassador of Mali to the U.S.A and PhD student @univofgh, recently presented his credentials to H.E. Joseph Biden Jr., President of the United States of America, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. #UGIS75@leciadugpic.twitter.com/bSDqkCczRr— UG International Programmes Office (@UofGhanaGlobal) January 23, 2023
The NASCO Feeding Minds organization in partnership with some alumni of the University of Ghana have commissioned an ultra-modern ICT learning centre on the campus of the premier university to aid students in their research and other academic activities.
The commission exercise which was themed; commissioning of the J.R. A Ayee ICT Centre and the K.Boafo-Arthur E-learning Centre was fully sponsored by NASCO Feeding Minds under the leadership of Seidu Nuhu Barnasco.
Seidu Nuhu Barnasco, the Co-Founder and CEO of NASCO Feeding Minds spoke during the commissioning exercise and said that the organization in partnership with some old students of the university decided to support the educational facility with a renovated ICT lab.
“For the past ten years, NASCO feeding minds has established sixteen computer centres, so coming to the university of Ghana, it’s refreshing for us because it grants us an opportunity to contribute to the university’s vision of becoming a world-class university and also promotes the digitization agenda of the university.
“For us, is also another leverage for us to augment government efforts in providing good quality education to our graduates. “Especially, now that the current government is promoting the digitalization of the economy, we think that it is important to train the necessary human resources needed that will fit into this government policy and agenda. So, we donated 40 desktop computers and 15 laptops to the department,” he said.
He continued by saying that as part of the government’s digitization agenda, they also wanted to contribute their fair share by supporting the university with an ICT laboratory.
The program was graced by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Gordon Awandare, Head of the political science department Dr Seidu Alidu among others.
Some students of the Mensah Sarbah hall of the University of Ghana have sued the management of the school for denying them access to their halls.
The students believe this is an infringement on their fundamental human rights to education, freedom from unlawful discrimination and fair administrative justice guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
They want the court to enforce these rights.
Students of the University of Ghana (UG), have been left stranded on campus following the university’s new residential policy.
On Monday, January 16, 2023, some affected students of Commonwealth hall numbering about 40 were turned away by security personnel of the school from accessing their hall.
Some continuing students of the University of Ghana (UG), who have been left stranded by the university’s new residential policy, have turned the washroom of a Catholic Church into their sleeping place.
A student who spoke to Citi News’ Kwaku Aduamah Ansah said they have been left with no choice but to sleep in the corridors of other halls and at other times in the washroom of a Catholic Church on campus.
“We slept in the corridors of Legon Hall on Monday, but on Tuesday, we didn’t get any place to sleep, so we went through the bush and went to the Catholic Church and went to their washroom to sleep. That is where we slept,” a student said.
On Monday, January 16, 2023, some students of Commonwealth hall were turned away by security personnel of the school from accessing their hall.
The new directive to reassign continuing students of Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls to other halls comes on the back of numerous clashes recorded between the respective halls in times past.
Some of the stranded students called on the management of UG to listen to their plea, as the other arranged accommodation is way too high for them to afford.
A level 300 student, Fred Oppong said, “I don’t have any relatives in Accra, so if I’m not being permitted to enter the hall, the best I can do is to loiter around till daybreak. I assumed the management will go by the court’s injunction, but the situation is different looking at the situation”.
Background
Per the new residential policy, continuing students are supposed to occupy other halls apart from the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls to make way for level 100 and graduate students.
In the case of Mensah Sarbah hall, only the male continuing students will exit.
Some students of the Commonwealth hall secured an interlocutory injunction on January 6, 2023, restraining the management of UG from implementing the new residential policybut some of the students accused the management of the university of turning a blind eye to the court order.
Some continuing students of the University of Ghana (UG), have been left stranded on campus following the university’s new residential policy.
The management of the university introduced a residential policy which directed continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall to be assigned to other residential facilities on campus following recent clashes between the two feuding halls.
Following the new accommodation policy, some affected students of the Commonwealth Hall were spotted sleeping in an open area that looks like a parking lot in front of the hall.
In a video posted by Joy News on social media, about five (5) students were captured sleeping in the open space of the parking lot on the bare floor.
The Management of the University of Ghana last December revoked the accommodation of all continuing male students of the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah Halls after another round of clashes involving the two feuding halls.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced plans by the government to distribute free electronic tablets to all Senior High School (SHS) students across the country.
Dr Bawumia says the move forms part of the government’s digitization agenda.
The tablet, according to the Vice President will serve as alternative textbooks for the students.
The Vice President was speaking at this year’s New Year School at the University of Ghana, Legon.
“This year, we are on course to provide all Senior High School students in Ghana with tablets which are loaded with textbooks on them for their studies. That’s a very game-changing development. We will have past questions preloaded on these tablets that will be distributed.”
There are also plans to make free internet access to Senior High Schools and Tertiary institutions to improve teaching and learning.
The government has said it has already awarded the contract for the first batch of Wi-Fi installations to begin in some second cycle and tertiary institutions as part of the project.
There is a heavy security presence at the University of Ghana on the first day of re-opening for students.
Police Officers were deployed to prevent continuing students of the Commonwealth Hall from entering their previous Hall.
This comes on the back of a new residential policy arrangement by the University which directs continuing students from Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah Halls to seek accommodation outside the traditional halls.
Some students of the Commonwealth hall secured an interlocutory injunction on January 6, 2023, restraining the management of the University from implementing the residential policy decision.
But, on Thursday, January 12, 2023, some continuing students arrived on campus to see a heavy security presence, preventing them from accessing the various halls.
Some students have secured an injunction against the policy, but the University authorities argued that it implemented the decision before the injunction was secured.
Some of the students were stranded on campus with some not knowing where to place their luggage and others items.
“We came here and the school’s security said they will not allow us to enter [the halls], and the police are assisting them to do that,” one of the frustrated continuing students said.
The UG in a statement on January 11, 2023, indicated that about 83% of students who will not be allowed back into the halls have agreed to find accommodation outside.
But another student furiously said, “That is not the truth, the reason is that the way they brought about the whole thing was like a threat. They said you accept or reject to become a non-resident. They pushed the whole thing to our throat, we were left with no choice. We want the whole world to know that the UG management is flouting the laws of Ghana. If it’s contempt of court it’s not for me to say, the court will prove itself in the coming days. The injunction says let the status quo remain, what management is doing so bad, the whole world and everybody must come against it”.
The UG on January 11, 2023, in a statement, instructed its lawyers to vigorously fight the injunction, arguing that it was secured on inaccurate information by the supposed students.
Nana Akomea bemoaned the clashes between the students, particularly the residents of the Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls, as he stressed that the inter-hall fights leave a dent on the image of the University.
He also feared these clashes might some day result in serious injuries and worst cases as deaths.
The STC Boss recommended that these male halls like Mensah Sarbah hall and Commonwealth hall should be turned into mixed halls to help check the excesses in the behavior of the residents.
Nana Akomea further charged the University authorities to take immediate steps to nip this situation in the bud.
“The hall people themselves should understand that, as we move forward, some of these things have to be modified. We say we want to make you mixed but you have refused to accept it. The University has condoned it but as you keep fighting…Do you want someone to die before? Is the University waiting for a student to die before?”, he said during “Kokrokoo” on Peace FM on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
His call comes on the heels of recent violent confrontation between the residents of the Commonwealth Hall who call themselves ‘Vandals’ and the Mensah Sarbah (Vikings).
Following the incident, the management of the University revoked the residential status of continuing students of these halls but the students have vehemently protested this decision.
“All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls or any of the traditional galleries. They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels.
“Beginning from the 2022/2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Masters and Ph.D. level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls. Subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and may secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion,” UG management said.
But students of the Commonwealth Hall of the University on Friday, January 6, 2023, filed a lawsuit against the University.
An Accra High court has placed an interlocutory injunction on the residential policy decision by the University of Ghana (UG).
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Defendant herein is hereby restrained either by itself or its officers, assigns, privies, agents, workmen, or anybody working under the Defendant’s instructions from going ahead to implement the decision of the Defendant, dated 26th October 2022 in respect of the residential policy decision affecting continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana. The status quo must be maintained, as it used to be before the 26th October 2022 decision.”
Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate (ARPAD) of the University of Ghana Miss Pascaline Songsore, has indicated that the security of the students is paramount to the University. However, aggrieved students can seek redress on issues through appropriate institutions established by the institution.
Speaking on GTV’S Breakfast Show via Zoom in rebuttal to some allegations raised by some alumina of the school on the recent happenings at the University of Ghana, Miss Sangsore explained that the University is governed by “statutes” and they will not take any decision without going through the obligatory process.
Commenting on the recent actions by the students, she said the actions of the two Traditional Halls (Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah Hall) of the University of Ghana in recent times have brought nothing, but, chaos to the University and cost so far as the “time and resources” are concerned.
She explained that management has not refused anyone who follows the residency process correctly.
”The University only gives admission, and students are later allowed to go online to look for residency, even with that residential board is doing everything best to assist students in their endeavors”, Miss Songsore noted.
Going further, she stated that the University has the right to amend its constitution. And New Policies passed are to facilitate teaching and learning which is part if not the most important aspect of the University’s curriculum.
Therefore, aggrieved students must follow procedures for redress.
He claimed that the government’s strategy for addressing the economic problem in the nation “appears like trying to fool or surprise the market.”
He stated, “We know that Ghana is in a profound crisis; in fact, in terms of economics, if there was any word beyond crisis, that is what we would be saying right now.” in an interview with peacefmonline.
Read the entire article as it appeared in its original form on Peacefmonline on December 10, 2022.
“The approach government is using in managing all of these appears like trying to trick or surprise the market . . . we know that Ghana is in a deep crisis, in fact in economics if there was any word beyond crisis that is what we will be using now . . . we all do acknowledge that we have to come out of this . . . ” he said.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’, Prof Bokpin said to come out of this situation government needs to have “some moral authority” and call various stakeholders for a “broader consultation”.
” . . Broader consultations, the humility to acknowledge where we have gone wrong and where we can do better, that brings everybody to the table is very critical now . . . we need negotiations, to do so you have to come to the negotiation table with some moral authority . . . failure to do that, it’s going to be difficult for us to get out of this,” he averred.
“Consensus building is the way to go and to do this, it requires honesty and transparent,” he added.
African-American businessman and hip-hop’s first billionaire, Sean Carter aka Jay-Z
Grammy Award-winning comedian Dave Chappelle has revealed that Jay-Z, the African-American businessman and hip-hop’s first billionaire, has made some investments in properties in Ghana.
His investments in Ghana demonstrate a willingness to expand his portfolio and potentially tap into new markets, as Ghana, despite its recent macroeconomic issues, has a growing economy that has returned impressive gains to international investors in recent years.
In addition to its natural resources, the country has a young, educated population and a stable democratic government, making it an attractive location for investment.
Despite experiencing a $100 million decline in his net worth in 2022, Jay-Z still has a net worth of $1.3 billion, making him the world’s 2,128th richest man, according to Forbes.
In February 2021, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) acquired a 50 percent stake in his champagne brand, Armand de Brignac, leading to an increase of $300 million in Jay-Z’s fortune.
In addition to the sale of a 50 percent stake in Armand de Brignac, also known as the “Ace of Spades,” Jay-Z received $297 million in cash and stock from Square, a U.S. mobile payments company, in exchange for a majority stake in his music streaming platform, Tidal.
Jay-Z’s current $1.3 billion fortune includes a stake in the entertainment company Roc Nation, investments in the Armand de Brignac champagne and D’Usse cognac brands, a fine art collection, and an equity position in Square.
Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has directed the University of Ghana (UG) Management to abide by the 15 percent increase in tertiary fees.
Following a meeting with all public universities on the tertiary fees controversy on Thursday, the Education Ministry issued its directive.
Recall that the Ghana Tertiary Education Council (GTEC) ordered all public tertiary institutions to increase fees for the upcoming academic year by no more than 15%.
However, some University of Ghana students claim that the school’s administration is charging more than the permitted rates for the upcoming academic year.
According to the Ministry’s findings, UG is implementing a fee increase of around 37%.
The University announced that it will consult with its Council to discuss the 15% increase and whether or not the school could adopt it.
“We have also heard from the University of Cape Coast about fees that they have taken in cases where fees were over 15%, they are doing refunds. They want to move within the 15% as mandated by Parliament,” Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum told JoyNews after the meeting on Thursday.
Three other public universities; the University of Cape Coast, the University of Education, Winneba and the University of Mines and Technology have all complied with the directive on fee charging.
The administration of the University of Ghana has dared anyone who believes that its increased fees are unlawful to sue.
Professor Gordon Awandare, the pro vice chancellor of the UG, defended the raise by stating that the institution is prepared to take anyone who disagrees with it to court.
He claims that the institution won’t tolerate any unjustified accusations.
“…To go on air and start talking about illegal increase and all that, that is a complete approach for any student to take because there is nothing illegal, if you feel there is an illegality, the court is there, we will meet you there,” he said.
It would be recalled that Parliament recently authorized a 15% increase in university fees over the prior academic year.
As a result, some universities have announced preliminary tuition with unusually large percentage increases for the upcoming academic year.
Both current and former students have voiced opposition to the most recent 15% raise that Parliament approved.
But the University of Ghana has received particular criticism for reportedly exceeding the 15% benchmark with what it claims to be a 5% backlog.
Dennis Larbie, the president of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), also criticized the action as unfair.
“If it is an appeal to the look at how we can soften the blow, we will consider it. Our SRC met us and made some of those appeals, especially for fee-paying and some special programmes and we have taken steps on some of those,” he said.
Meanwhile, following a petition from aggrieved students, the Ministry of Education has invited the management of the public universities and Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to a meeting on Thursday to resolve the misgivings on the fees.
“The Ministry has picked information, especially referencing the concerns that came from the student leadership that some of the universities are not complying with this directive and so consequently the Ministry has invited all the parties involved. The universities involved refer to KNUST, UCC, University of Ghana and cumulatively we have five universities in this category.
“University of Ghana, for instance, they are not denying the fact that they have indeed usurped what Parliament has decided but they are giving us the justification explaining why they are unable to go by the directive of Parliament,” he said.
The management of the University of Ghana, Legon, has been given a week to reconsider its decision to remove enrolled students from the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls.
The Old Vandals Association claimed that if the school’s administration did not reverse the decision, they would look into other options to persuade the university council to act.
This morning, the Old Vandals Association barged onto campus to express their support for current students impacted by management’s choice.
All continuing male students of the all-male Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall would not be allowed to return to their residence halls or any of the traditional halls, according to the ruling.
“They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels,” a communique on December 14, said.
Students who are upset claim that this is the school administration’s most recent effort to stifle student activism on campus and create divide freshmen and continuing students.
Additionally, they have requested that the management make public the findings of the investigation into the altercation between the two male halls last year.
Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Gordon Awandare responded to the Old Vandals by calling the group’s bluff.
“I’m not sure in which world that former Vandals want to run a university. The University is run by the University council. Former vandals are not part of the running of the university.
“We don’t owe them any report. This is not how to ask for documents from the university. To incite students to demonstrate. Please, they should do better than that,” he said.
The University of Ghana campus is heavily guarded as Old Vandals gather to protest the University Management’s decision to expel continuing students from the Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls.
The Old Vandals Association descended on campus on Tuesday morning to show support for current students against what they accuse the school’s administration of doing in order to victimize them and expel them from the traditional halls.
The University Management issued a statement revoking the tenancy of continuing students from the two halls.
The management has announced that all current male residents of the all-male Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall will not be returning to their residences or any of the conventional halls.
“They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels,” the communique on December 14, said.
Students who are upset claim that this is the latest effort by the school’s administration to stifle on-campus student activism.
The University of Ghana has provided justification for the change made to the academic year 2022–2023 academic facility user fees.
The University said that the price adjustment is legal because it is based on rates that have been approved by Parliament and announced by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
In an press release issued by the Management of the school it said, “the University decided to suspend the increment of fees in 2019/2020 academic year by 5% which was given approval by Parliament to all public universities since the university received the letter only after it had already announced fees for that academic year which made it late for the school to implement the new fees.”
The statement added that, “the University Management decided to suspend the implementation of the new fees until 2020/2021 academic year even though the gazetted approved fees for the 2019/2020 academic year were found to be higher than the already charged fees we requested students to pay. This was to spare students from a fee increase in the middle of the 2019/2020 academic year.”
According to the statement signed by the Registrar of the University, Emelia Agyei-Mensah, “With the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020, coupled with its associated challenges, Management accepted a plea from the student leadership (SRC and GRASAG) to further suspend the implementation of the parliamentary approved and gazetted fees until the 2021/2022 academic year. In effect, therefore, the University of Ghana charged students subsidized fees for the 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic years, rather than the approved rates.”
Due to rising operating costs before GTEC’s fresh approval of the 15% price increase on December 16, 2022, the University indicated that it had therefore implemented the 2019/2020 approved fees on December 13, 2022.
Despite the country’s current economic challenges, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has warned Ghanaians to expect an economic rebound.
The linguistics professor said in a greeting for the new year that despite the government’s difficulties, Ghanaians shouldn’t give up hope for better days to come.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is a fact that our economy is not in good shape, we’re in crisis as alluded to by his excellency the president of the republic and confirmed by the honourable minister of finance a few weeks ago. In spite of this, let us not be in despair, rather let’s approach 2023 with optimism and hope, remember, in the miss of adversities lies opportunities. the new year holds a wide expansion of possibilities as the government takes steps to bring the economy back on track, I urge all of us to work individually and collectively in whatever capacity we can to ensure that we build a resilient and robust economy,” she said.
She also urged all parties involved, both internal and external, to support the University of Ghana’s mission of encouraging technologically advanced, humanist extension activities, teaching and learning, and administrative operations.
“We were able to provide our first batch of needy students with laptops, I entreat both internal and external stakeholders, individuals and institutions to support the noble vision and give the student an exciting memorable learning experience,” she added.
Prof Godfred Bokpin, an Economist and Finance Lecturer at the University of Ghana, has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency reduce the size of his government.
According to him, if the president thinks he will not be able to manage Ghana’s economy with at most 40 ministers of state, he should step down.
He added that some ministers and their ministries have become idle and should be merged to other ministries, myjoyonline.com reports.
“As a matter of urgency, a reduction in the size of ministers… if our President cannot govern with less than 40 ministers and the other reforms, he should resign and give Ghana a chance.
“.. with the number of ministers and associated calls, State Owned Enterprises, new agencies being created, some of them are actually not doing anything but their lifestyles are loaded on the public purse,” Prof Bokpin is quoted to have said on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday.
The Economist added that the president must also temporarily suspend some emoluments given to political office holders including ex-gratia.
He reiterated that if President Akufo-Addo wants Ghanaians to sacrifice to help the country get out of the current economic situation he must lead by example by cutting the government’s expenditure drastically.
On December 26, 2022, Dr. Asante indicated in an interview with Peace FM that GhanaWeb was listening to that calls for the president to fire his underperforming minister of state were long overdue.
“There is something called political cost. If your mother is dead but you keep saying she is alive, let her resurrect for us to see. The president has been saying that his ministers are performing well but you and I know that, that is far from the truth.
“Because if they were performing well, we will not be in the current situation we find ourselves in… He should close his eyes and sack his ministers who are not performing well and bring in people who can do the job.
“He should put his feet on the ground and sack his ministers who have failed so that he will leave a legacy. So that in the future if the Free SHS is mentioned other achievements will be added to honour his name,” he said in the Twi dialect.
A planned press conference by students of the Mensah Sarbarh and the Commonwealth Halls of the University of Ghana has been prevented from happening.
This is after a joint team of police personnel, and UG security prevented the aggrieved group of students from going ahead with their planned presser, GhanaWeb can confirm.
The students were to hold the press conference in protest of the decision of the management of the university to revoke accommodation and residency for continuing male students their respective halls.
The decision, captured in a statement by the school management, follows the recent clashes involving the two halls on the university campus.
In a statement signed by the Registrar of the University, the residents were to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the University of Ghana Enterprise Limited Hostel (UGEl) and private hostels.
The statement furthered that, continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected.
According to the University Council, the recommendations were from the residence and Academic Board, regarding changes to student residence arrangements and the changes were requested by the council of the University following the repeated incidences of violence involving students on campus.
“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,” the statement said.
He contends that the government may reduce spending in other ways that won’t interfere with its goals for debt sustainability.
“The government should have no trouble cutting roughly 41 billion from pension funds to pay interest. This is due to the fact that there is still a way out; the government can realign and change some of the budget lines to make room for this exception, he told myjoyonline.com.
However, despite growing concerns that external bondholders may make similar demands, Prof. lord Mensah noted that the conditions are different.
“These investors are long-term in nature, and they will not be responding immediately to some of these measures that the government is undertaking,” he said.
The finance ministry announced the extension of the expiration date of the invitation date for the Voluntary Domestic Debt Exchange to Monday, January 16, 2023 (at 1600 hours).
The Settlement Date for the Invitation is now expected to occur on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, “or as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than the Longstop Date which is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2023, unless further extended by the Government pursuant to the Invitation,” a press release from the Finance Ministry stated.
“The announcement Date is now expected to occur on or about 17th January 2023″.
The previous deadline for the invitation was set for Friday, December 30, following the extension of the original deadline of Monday, December 19.
Management of the University of Ghana, Legon, has increased its academic fees for the 2022-2023 academic year by 14 per cent.
This follows the passage of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080) by Parliament of Ghana.
In a statement from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) dated December 16, 2022, this allows a 15% increase across board for all institutions covered by the Act.
“Please be advised therefore that Fees and Charges applicable in all Public Tertiary Education Institutions for the 2022/2023 Academic Year may be adjusted by up to maximum of 15% of the last approved rates,” the statement added.
Fresh students (Undergraduate Regular students) at the College of Humanities (Bachelor of Arts) were initially to pay GHS1,813.00, while those who studied Administration/ Law pay GH1,914.00.
Following the adjustment, they will now pay GHS2,069.00 and GH2,185.00 respectively.
Those in level 200, 300 and 400 studying Bachelor of Arts and Administration/ Law under the College of Humanities were to pay GHS1,340.00 and GHS1,441.00.
These continuing students will now pay GHS1,524.00 and GHS1,640.00 respectively.
For fresh undergraduate students under the full fee paying category and studying Bachelor of Arts and Administration/ Law, they will pay GHS5,054.00 and GHS6,128.00 respectively instead of GHS4,401.00 and GHS5,342.00.
Continuing students offering such programmes will now pay GHS4,500.00 and GHS5,583.00.
AU Farouk, a representative of the main opposition NDC from the Northern Region, has passed on.
The popular serial caller to most radio and television morning shows across the country is said to have collapsed at the University of Ghana where most delegates have been lodging for the Congress.
His mortal remains have since been taken back to Tamale for burial.
NDC’s 10th National Congress
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will today, Saturday, December 17, 2022 elect national executives for the party.
The party is moving at least 9,000 delegates to the Accra Sports Stadium from various constituencies to partake in the congress.
The key race to watch in the NDC polls is the national chairmanship position between the incumbent Chair, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the incumbent General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and former Member of Parliament, Nii Armah Ashiety, and Samuel Yaw Adusei.
Incumbent Chairman, Ofosu Ampofo will be facing a formidable challenge from General Secretary, Asiedu Nketiah in a high-stakes election. The two frontrunners are poised to put forth a fierce battle to secure a win after working hard for the party.
Meanwhile, an amount of GH₵1,083,000 was generated through the party’s fundraising appeal to finance the 10th national congress scheduled for today December 17, 2022 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Below is the list of candidates vying for various positions:
CHAIRMAN
SAMUEL YAW ADUSEI
JOHNSON ASEIDU NKETIA
SAMUEL OFOSU AMPOFO
NII ARMAH ASHIETEY
ELVIS AFRIYIE ANKRAH
FIFI FIAVI KWETEY
DR. PETER BOAMAH OTOKUNOR
DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY
FRANCIS LANME GURIBE
CATHERINE DEYNU
BARBARA SERWAA ASAMOAH
GBANDE FOYO MUSTAPHA
KWAME ZU
BRADI PAUL OPATA
EVANS AMOO
NATIONAL ORGANIZER
JOSHUA HAMIDU AKAMBA
HENRY OSEI AKOTO
MAHDI MOHAMMED GIBRILL
SIDII ABUBAKARI
SOLOMON YAW NKANSAH
CHIEF HAMILTON BINEY NIXON
JOSEPH YAMMIN
DEPUTY NATIONAL ORGANIZER
KOBBY BARLON
HABIB MOHAMMED TAHIRU
ELIKEM ERIC KEVIN KWAME KOTOKO
ALHAJI YAW KUNDOW
COMMUNICATION OFFICER
SAMMY GYAMFI
DEPUTY COMMUNICATION OFFICER
GODWIN AKO GUNN
ADONGO ATULE JACOB
MALIK BASINTALE
KWAKU BOAHEN ANTHONY
MOHAMMED NAZIRU
ZONGO CAUCUS CO-ORDINATOR-
ABASS ZULKARNAIN KAMBARI
HON. ALHAJI BABANLAMIE ABU SADAT
MAMAH MOHAMMED COLE YOUNGER
ABDUL-AZIZ MOHAMMED
YAKUBU MAHMUD MUDI
NEC MEMBERS
EPHRAIM NII TAN SACKEY
PEREZ FERNANDEZ ARMAH LARYEA
ISSAHAKU ISSAH ADEL
REV. IRENE SENA AGBLEKE
ABDULLAH FARRAKHAN ISHAQ
MALIK ADAMA
VICTORIA KUMA-MINTAH
EMMANUEL EWOENAM YAO ADZOME-DZOKANDA
CECILIA N. ASAGA
EBENEZER EFFAH HACKMAN
NAJAWA ALHAJI ISSAH
STEPHEN LADZEDO
ANITA ANNAN
RANSFORD CHATMAN VANNI-AMOAH
THOMAS AYISI KUMAH
WONDER VICTOR KUTOR
MOHAMMED MAMUDU
ARABA TAGOE
FAMOUS KWESI KUADUGAH
Due to recent fights on campus, male occupants of the Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls at the University of Ghana would no longer be allowed to live there for the 2022–2023 academic year.
This was stated in a statement released by university management on December 14, 2022.
According to the statement, the impacted students would have their room assignments in the private dorms on the university campus made at random.
“All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensa 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,” the statement said.
Only first-year and graduate students would be assigned rooms in the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls beginning with the following academic year, the statement continued.
“Beginning from the 2022/2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Masters and PhD level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls.
“Subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and may secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion.
“Level 100 students who opt for traditional halls will be randomly assigned to the halls.”
The University of Ghana lecturer encouraged the government to form a commission for the nation’s rice production immediately.
He claims that if the government focused on domestic rice production, the nation’s $1.2 billion yearly rice import expenditure might be reduced.
While praising government’s intention to reduce rice imports, the development economist suggested that government should set up a committee that would include players in the rice industry’s value chain and discuss how to fully implement the ban on rice importation plan.
“Ghana imports $1.2 billion worth of rice annually. This can be reduced drastically if we concentrate on the local production of rice,” he stressed.
The Development Economist added that the committee will monitor and involve stakeholders in the rice business to make sure there were no lapses as local rice starts to take a larger share of the market.
He made this call at an economic forum organized by the Danquah Institute in Accra, according to Graphic Online.
In addition to that, he also stated that when that was done, not only would it curb the rapid fall of the cedi but also create jobs for Ghanaians who would earn more and pay taxes for economic growth and development.
“We have to manage our economy well by simply paying attention to some of the key sectors that drive economic growth,” he said.
He finally added that raw materials from agriculture should be turned into finished goods through manufacturing.
Government may generate a lot of money if it takes advantage of digitization and digitalization.
To prevent income leaks, combine digitization and revenue collection, he advised.
Before obtaining necessary services like passports, driver’s licenses, etc., tax certificates must be submitted, he continued.
Dr. Sarkodie also pointed out the tax sectors that are growing fast. He mentioned the service, industrial and agric sectors as areas that would give the government so much revenue.
“Property rates and tax exemption bill should be accelerated. Property rates can rake in GHC16 billion annually. 8 billion can also be realized from the informal sector” he opined.
Tax exemptions, he observed, can be cut by GHC5 billion to help reduce pressures on the government’s finances.
Dr. Sarkodie expressed these sentiments during the Danquah Institute’s Economic Forum which took place at the ISSER building at the University of Ghana, Legon, on Friday, December 9, 2022.
The forum was also attended by Dr. George Domfeh, Dr. Kwadwo Opoku with Professor Eric Osei Assibey as chairman.
