“Be Creative to Generate your own Opportunities” – Prof. E. N. Abakah

Prof. E. N. Abakah, Chairman of UEW Governing Council

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof. Emmanuel Nicholas Abakah has charged graduands of the 22^nd Congregation (2^nd Session) to be creative enough to generate their own opportunities.

He said it was incumbent upon them to rightly apply the knowledge and skills they had received in UEW to honestly exploit the existing opportunities to their benefit. He however cautioned that it would be a monumental catastrophe of scandalous proportion should any graduand folds his or her arms mistakenly, thinking that opportunities would come at their bedroom by design.

The Chairman of the Governing Council disclosed this in his welcome address during the 2^nd Session of the 22^nd Congregation held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus, Winneba from Friday, 20^th to Saturday 21^st April, 2018. 

Prof. Abakah urged the graduands to go out there highly self-motivated and contribute their quota to the high-quality developmental agenda of our dear country. He said “as alumni of this great institution, I encourage you to make your alma mater proud by being its respectable ambassadors and also the good teacher that it has trained you to be”.

“I, respectfully, advise you to make positive and indelible impacts wherever you may find yourselves always remembering to trust in the Lord God Almighty who gives strength and wisdom. I believe you can make it because you have the God-given talents and besides, the UEW has prepared you adequately to put your talents into honest and cost-effective use.” He said.    

He revealed that “the University Governing Council at its emergency meeting on Thursday, 22^nd February, 2018, deemed it expedient and to, as a matter of urgency, appoint Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni, as the Acting Vice-Chancellor, until either the restrained substantive Vice-Chancellor is reinstated or a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed”.

He said the appointment of Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful-Broni became inevitable due to a court action served on the University by six indicted officers of the University seeking, among other things, an injunction on the election of a new Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

“It became transparently obvious that if not properly addressed, the emergent events were unquestionably going to pose serious challenges to the smooth running of the University. The Governing Council, therefore, deemed it absolutely necessary to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor not only to avert the then looming administrative gaps but also to ensure smooth and effective management and administration processes in the University.” He indicated.

Prof. Abakah underscored that the Council’s unwavering determination to cleanse and sanitize the UEW was waxing stronger even in the midst of the recent needless legal tussles. He assured all stakeholders that the Governing Council would do everything within its powers, even as it shall not spare the minutest hint of effort to ensure that no segment of the University’s operations was jeopardized in any way during that critical period.

UEW Management Strengthens Relationship with Ghana Police

Management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) on Tuesday, 24^th April, 2018 paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Paul Manly Awini to welcome him officially to his post and strengthen relationship between both parties.

The Registrar, Surv. Paul Osei-Barima Esq said the purpose for the visit was to appreciate the efforts of the Police Force during the University’s 2^nd Session of the 22^nd Congregation held at Winneba from Friday, 20^th to Saturday 21^st April, 2018. He indicated that UEW security work conjoint with Ghana Police so there was the need to revitalise that relationship as new Regional Commander has emerged.    

“As custom demands, we realised that it will be ideal to pay this courtesy call to express our delight for honouring our invitation to attend the University’s April Congregation. We also want to assure you that UEW will continue to work concurrently with you for the safety of our students as well as the communities which surrounds the institution.” He addressed the Regional Commander.   

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni pointed out that the visit was not premeditated and that they will visit again with the Governing Council. He said “we should have come with the full management but this is a quick welcome to our new commander. We shall arrange with the Governing Council and come in full.” 

Head of University Relations Office (URO) and Media, Ms. Obaapanyin Oforiwaa Adu presented some UEW souvenirs to the Regional Commander and his fellow workers.

DCOP Paul Awini thanked the management of UEW and pledged to provide any support needed by the University and its security force. Present at the visit were Deputy Regional Police Commander (Cape Coast), DCOP Enoch A. Bediako, Central Regional Crime Officer, C/Supt. Reuben Asiwoko and Regional Staff Officer, DSP Hilda Akarimanga.

Registrar, Paul Osei-Brima (left) and Acting VC, Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful-Broni  

Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Paul Awini

Ms. Obaapanyin Adu presenting UEW souvenirs to the Central Regional Police Commander

Government to Partner UEW in TVET Programmes – H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of the Republic

The Government of the Republic of Ghana has expressed its readiness to partner the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) in its Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programmes. 

This was made known by the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Saturday, 21^st April, 2018 during the 2^nd Session of the 22^nd Congregation at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus, Winneba. 

Dr. Bawumia hinted that in the quest of Government to transform the economy through industrialization, there should be reforms in the TVET sector. He revealed that it was the plan of Government to set up a TVET council and TVET service and dedicate a whole division of the education service to technical and vocational education, which would have its own Director General.

“I am told that University of Education, Winneba currently serves as the only university in the West African sub region which has the mandate and capacity to train teachers in technical and vocational education through Competency-Based Training (CBT). Government is therefore ever prepared to partner with you, UEW in its TVET programmes.” He asserted. 

The Vice-President reiterated that Government was embarking on a new programme which would be launched on 1^st May, 2018 by the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He said the project was named the Nation Builders Corps and it was to supplement all the other programmes run by the Youth Employment Agency and the others. He added that graduates would be hired for that project.    

“You have seven modules that are going to be outdoored: The Feed Ghana module where you want to have people who would go in as agric extension officers to help our farmers. We also have the Governance Ghana module where people will be attached to various local authorities. We are beginning this and this year by the grace of God we will be recruiting 100,000 graduates.” Dr. Bawumia indicated.

The Second Gentleman of the land advised the graduands to be selfless, dedicated, visionary, and result driven leaders who would desist from corruption. He therefore, challenged them to imbibe those values.

“These values will help us realize Ghana’s current vision of ‘Ghana beyond Aid’. You must be different! Go as ambassadors with a mission and a mandate. Go and change your world.” He addressed the graduands.

In his Welcome Address, Chairman of UEW Governing Council, Prof. Emmanuel Nicholas Abakah underscored that the Council’s unwavering determination to cleanse and sanitize the UEW was waxing stronger even in the midst of the recent needless legal tussles. He assured all stakeholders that the Governing Council would do everything within its powers, even as it shall not spare the minutest hint of effort to ensure that no segment of the University’s operations was jeopardized in any way during that critical period.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni recounted that lighting at the various campuses had improved tremendously within the period under review. He revealed that over 300 street lights had been installed at the three Winneba campuses (North, Central and South).  

“The University is grateful to the Government, through the Minister of Energy, for the innovative support that he facilitated for us. Also, our classrooms, lecture theatres, libraries, reading rooms and dormitories are much better lit just as we have repaired and/ or added on to our ceiling fans and air conditioners.” He said.

On Friday, 20^th and Saturday, 21^st April, 2018, the Winneba Campus graduated a total of 3,148 graduands made up of 655 post-graduate students from the School of Graduate Studies, Faculties of Educational Studies, Foreign Languages Education and Communication and 2,493 undergraduate students from 17 study centres namely: Accra Academy, Accra Attraco, Asamankese, Assin Fosu, Axim, Cape Coast, Dambai, Denu, Ho, Koforidua, Hohoe, Krobo Odumasi, Sekondi, Sogakope, Tarkwa, Tema and Winneba.

An additional 4,434 students will be graduating at Asante Mampong and Kumasi campuses respectively on Thursday, 26^th, Friday, 27^th and Saturday, 28^th April, 2018.

In attendance were the Central Regional Minister and Police Commander, Hon. Kwamena Duncan, DCOP Paul Manly Awini, Member of Parliament, Effutu, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Municipal Chief Excutive, Mr. John B. Ninson, Omanhene of Effutu and Ajumako Traditional Areas, Neenyi Ghartey VII, Okokodurfo Nana Kwamena Hammah Ababio II, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Kagya-Agyemang, Registrar, Surv. Paul Osei-Barima Esq, University Librarian, Mr. Viscount B. Buer and other University officials.

“Don’t Sacrifice your Salvation for Worldly Pleasures” – Apostle Ohene-Kyei

The Winneba Area Head of the Church of Pentecost (COP), Apostle Professor Peter Ohene-Kyei has warned the youths of the church not to sacrifice their salvation for the pleasures of the world.

He said that Jesus Christ died on the cross to wipe away all of their sins for once and He wants them to remain righteous till He finally returns for judgment.  “Jesus shall come again and this time not for salvation but for judgment; remember that He has saved you once, so if you refuse to comply with His rules then you forfeit that salvation.” He cautioned.  

Apostle Professor Ohene-Kyei said this on Sunday 1^st April, 2018 during the climax of the 2018 Easter Convention at the Don Bosco School Park, Winneba. The five-day convention was held under the theme “He is not here; He is risen as He promised” (Luke 24:6).

The Area Head pointed out to the youths some of the worldly pleasures that they sacrifice with their salvation. He said “a lot of people are taking Christianity for a joke these days. I cannot imagine people preferring to watch football matches instead of going to church. If you are a youth and you know that you are fond of doing that, then you better advise yourself before it will be too late.

“Again, television programmes are preventing lots of people from serving God properly. Some people are so addicted to certain programmes to the extent that they cannot even afford to miss just a scene or episode; may God have mercy on us.” He appealed.

The former Rector of Pentecost University College (PUC) reiterated that the return of Christ would surely come to pass just as it became a reality when He said that He would die and resurrect on the third day.  He however encouraged every believer not to fear death since Christ had already conquered death with the resurrection power.

“The resurrection demonstrates the sovereign power Christ has over death so, do not be afraid of death; Christ shall resurrect us so never fear death. Whatever He has said about you shall come to pass and until that is fulfilled, you shall not die. Therefore, be serious, vigilant and worship God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.” He said.

The five-day event featured six districts from Winneba Zone of the Winneba Area. The Districts are Winneba, Abasraba, Ansaful, Low-Cost, Potsin and Gyahadze.