CoLANGE Observes 2018 IMLD in Grand Style

Performing the Adowa Dance

It all joy and excitement when the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) College of Languages Education (CoLANGE) observed the 2018 International Mother Language Day (IMLD) festivity at the Ajumako Campus with rich Ghanaian cultural displays and speeches. 

The event which took place on Wednesday 21^st February, 2018 was held under the theme “Preserving Linguistic Diversity and Promoting Multilingualism to Support the SDGs”.

Prof. Anyidoho delivering the Keynote Address

In her keynote address, a former lecturer of Linguistics at the University of Ghana (UG), Prof. Akosua Anyidoho expressed delight to be a part of the celebration. Explaining multilingualism and linguistic diversity, Prof. Anyidoho said multilingualism was a state of many languages therefore there was the need to embrace diversity in culture and languages. She added that language encompasses a complex implication for identity.

“Identity is not all about what one wears and eats but it goes deeper than that. It provides the well-being of individuals and it also provides their mark for success. Identity is very vital in everything that we do. Thus, it is important for communication and social integration.” She said.

Prof. Nsoh giving the Welcome Address

The Principal of CoLANGE, Prof. Ephraim Avea Nsoh cautioned Ghanaians to desist from the habit of mocking students who study Ghanaian languages and cultures at the tertiary level. He however encouraged every student of CoLANGE to be proud and also urged them to create awareness anytime 21^st February approaches.

“This day is a very important day for us. It is a day to tell us to begin to rethink our culture and language. A day to rethink our own identity and what we stand for as an institution, individuals and people offering Ghanaian languages. It is an important day that we need to create awareness amongst ourselves in trying to understand that there is the need to coexist as groups, institutions, languages and cultures, community, political parties and all other groupings whether social, political or religion.” The Principal said.

Dr. Owu-Ewie telling the Purpose of Gathering

The Dean of the Faculty of Ghanaian Languages Education (FGLE), CoLANGE, Dr. Charles Owu-Ewie lambasted students for showing up late and advised them to refrain from the act as they are being trained to become responsible and time conscious teachers and professionals.

“One thing that we need to do as a Faculty and as students is to be strong advocates of Language of Education in Ghana. We cannot sit down and let people do the advocacy for us. Therefore, we have to do it ourselves and let people know.” Dr. Owu-Ewie said.

Mr. Andrews Quaye, a representative from the Ministry of Education

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Education, Mr. Andrews Quaye (a representative from the Ministry of Education) indicated that Ghana was committed to the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4/7 which promotes the concept of global citizenship while recognising cultural diversity and culture’s contribution towards sustainable development.

There were exuberant cultural displays and pleasurable poetry recitals from the Departments of Gur-Gonja Education, Ewe Education, Akan-Nzema Education and Ga-Dangme Education.

A student introducing Prof. Anyidoho with drum language  

Performance from the Dept. of Ga-Dangme Education

Performance from the Dept. of Ewe Education

Performance from the Dept. of Akan-Nzema Education

Performance from the Dept. of Gur-Gonja Education

A student of the Dept. of Akan-Nzema Education reciting a poem

A student of the Dept. of Ewe Education performing

Poetry recital in Ga

Tribute to the Indisputable Dancehall Diva, Ebony

CIP Gives Solution to Internationalising Ghanaian Universities

The Centre for International Programmes (CIP) on Wednesday 7^th February, 2018 held a workshop titled “Internationalisation at UEW” on the theme “Internationalisation of Universities in Ghana” at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus. 

Giving the purpose of the workshop, Dean of International Programmes, University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof. Yaw Sekyi-Baidoo began with a quote from Longview Foundation: 2018 which says “We seek to weave global competence into the fabric of school and teacher experiences to engage and inspire the people living in them to want to connect more meaningfully to the world”. Using that quotation as his prelude, he welcomed everyone to the maiden workshop on   Internationalisation of Universities in Ghana with focus on the UEW.  

He noted that CIP was expected to handle the University’s international relations and programmes. Therefore in order to carry out that mandate diligently, it had been in the forefront of the University’s internationalisation programme. He added that CIP leads and coordinates the University’s activities in international image building and helps in promoting goodwill between UEW and its international stakeholders.

“A number of linkages have been established with foreign universities and other institutions for mutual benefit. CIP is collaborating with other Departments to run programmes for international students while facilitating collaborative research and exchange of staff and students. In addition, CIP has teamed up with various Departments to promote and support international academic conferences and workshops.” The Dean of International Programmes revealed.   

The workshop saw presentations from pioneers of various academies such as the Dean of International Programmes, University of Ghana (UG), Prof. Ama de-Graft Aikins, Associate Prof. of Education and Coordinator of the K-12 Special Education, Tiece M. Ruffin, former Dean for International Relation and Past Dean of the Faculty of Social Science Education, UEW, Prof. Yaw Ofusu-Kusi and a Researcher at the Centre for Educational Policy Studies (CEPS), UEW, Dr. Edison Pajibo.

Prof. Yaw Sekyi-Baidoo, Dean of International Programmes, UEW

Starting the presentation was Prof. Yaw Sekyi-Baidoo on the topic “Internationalisation: UEW’s Experience”. His presentation sought to place International Programmes within the context of the history, mission and vision as well as the strategic plan of the University. It also discussed the development of internationalisation with attention to its organisation, threats, challenges, hopes and aspirations. It eventually focused on their current internationalisation activities, plans and winded up on the need for that workshop and its expected place in making UEW an internationally reputable institution for teacher education and research.

Associate Prof. Tiece M. Ruffin

Associate Prof. Tiece Ruffin spoke on the topic “Faculty Internationalisation”. Her presentation posed questions such as whether students of UEW were prepared to traverse and thrive in today’s interconnected world, do students possess the requisite skills to be globally competitive in the 21^st century. She gave solutions to her questions by indicating that 21^st century students should be globally ready and competent in order to be competitive. She added that they must have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to engage in the world effectively and responsibly.

Dr. Edison Pajibo

Dr. Edison Pajibo gave the third presentation on “University Internationalisation”.  He said that knowing the trends of globalisation, it was now obvious that preparing university students for the job market with relevant knowledge and skills that could be transferred across sectors and borders had become imperative and the best medium by which those skills could be nurtured was through international study experiences.

Prof. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi

Prof. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi took members through “Student Internationalisation” while Prof Ama de-Graft Aikins ended the session with a presentation on the theme for the workshop “Internationalisation of Universities in Ghana”.

Professor Ama de-Graft Aikins, Dean of International Programmes, UG

Prof. de-Graft Aikins defined internationalisation as “the policies undertaken by academic systems and institutions and even individuals to cope with the global academic environment”. She said that all universities with ambitions towards world-class research status had internationalisation policies and units, that drive, review and update context-specific policies.

“Various university ranking systems, such as the Times Higher Education (THE), include international outlook (of staff, students and research) as a key pillar of education excellence”. She said.

Her presentation discussed the gaps and tensions between the theory and practice of internationalisation through three case studies: developing and managing multi-site research partnerships, supporting multi-cultural students communities and designing equitable mobility schemes. 

She concluded with reflections on global best practice models for bridging the gap between internationalisation theory and practice in Ghanaian Universities.  

The workshop was chaired by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni. Also present at the event were the Registrar, UEW, Surv. Paul Osei-Barima Esq, University Librarian Mr. Viscount Buer, Senior Assistant Registrar, CIP, Mr. Andy Agordah, Deans, Heads of Departments (HoDs) and Administrators of the University.

UEW, the Premier University to Collaborate with JAK Foundation

Ag. VC, UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful-Broni third from right in a group picture with officials of JAK Foundation and some UEW Academic Heads

On Wednesday 31^st January, 2018, officials of the John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni and some Academic Heads at the Council Chamber, North Campus.

The visit discussed how best the Foundation could collaborate with the University in the area of leadership. Besides, the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) is the first tertiary institution in Ghana to experience this collaboration.

The Policy Adviser of JAK Foundation, Mrs. Nana Ama Oppong-Duah explained that the main purpose for the meeting was to see how best they could collaborate with UEW to organise public lectures on topics that would excite and stimulate the interest of tertiary students.  

The Coordinator of Kufuor Scholars Program, Dr. Pascal Brenya extended greetings from the former president of Ghana, Dr. John Agyekum Kufuor and the CEO of JAK Foundation, Prof. Baffour Agyeman Duah to UEW and its management. He added that the former president who is also an alumnus of UEW was passionate about finding remedies to Africa’s poor leadership problem. Therefore to help solve this problem, Dr. Kufuor developed a strategy which ended up in the formation of the JAK Foundation.

The Kufuor Scholars Program currently has 34 members with four beneficiaries from the UEW (two from Winneba and two from Mampong Campuses) who are being groomed to become prolific leaders in future.   

The Foundation is in the process of increasing its beneficiaries, thus, application is opened to every tertiary student who has interest in leadership.

It seeks to project both governance and economic development of Africa. As a result, it operates on three main pillars which include: Socio-economic Development, Governance and Leadership.

With the Leadership Pillar, students who desire to be leaders are given leadership skills and a stipend. The Governance Pillar usually organise seminars with prominent persons to share ideas on governance in the various fields which they operate, whereas the Socio-economic Pillar focuses on improving agriculture and nutrition.    

Specifically, one of the projects in Agriculture is the competitive Africa Rice Initiative where Ghana and other countries like Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Tanzania are supported to become self-sufficient in rice production.  

The Acting Vice-Chancellor expressed happiness upon the recognition given to the University and indicted the Institution’s readiness to support the good course of the Foundation.

Present at the meeting were the Registrar, UEW, Surv. Paul Osei-Barima Esq, Director of Finance, JAK Foundation, Mr. Victor Kofi Kufuor, Deans and three beneficiaries of the Kufuor Scholars Program.

During the Meeting