The Vice-Chancellor of the Central University, Professor Bill Buenar Puplampu, has debunked reports by some media outlets that the University faces imminent collapse due to some financial challenges.

“Recent news making the rounds in the media that the University is on the verge of collapse and about to lay off more of its staff is an untruth being peddled by some individuals for their own hidden agenda,” he said.

Prof. Puplampu said this on Wednesday during the 20th matriculation ceremony of the Central University at the Trinity Hall, Miotso.

He announced that the “University was doing well, and with the help of the Central Gospel Church International (CGCI), is about to start the construction of the University Hospital as well as its City Campus at Teshie.”

He added that, “Central University is a Christian institution with very qualified academic and administrative staff with well-developed systems and structures to ensure academic and spiritual development of students.”

He warned the fresh students against the possibility of dismissal should they fail to secure a cumulative grade point average of 1.5 after the first year academic work.

He further warned that “there was a ‘no tolerance for examination malpractice’ policy in place and so you should do well to avoid being caught up in such activities.”

The Central University currently has 2,745 fresh students admitted into the university made up of 672 admitted during the February season, and 2,073 admitted in September for the 2017/2018 academic year.

Currently, the foremost private university and leader in science and law education in the private tertiary education industry in Ghana, Central University, has a student population of about 6,500, pursuing over 20 undergraduate and graduate programmes.

It has eight schools and faculties on its Miotso, Mataheko, Christ Temple and Kumasi campuses, offering programmes including Bachelor of Science and Arts degrees, Doctor of Pharmacy, whiles Online degree programmes would commence in the next academic year.

–

Source: GNA

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The President of Yale University, Peter Salovey, made an inaugural visit to Africa, one that will be the first by a Yale President ever since the Ivy League institution was founded in 1701.

While in Ghana, the 23^rd President of Yale University granted an exclusive interview to Citi FM’s Caleb Kudah touching on issues of racism in the Yale, and how he is dealing with it.

He touched on the government of Ghana’s free SHS policy, Yale’s funding model and how Ghanaian tertiary institutions can adopt same, the future of tertiary institutions and Yale’s plan for Africa.

Below is a transcription of the full interview:

Caleb: You will be the first ever President of Yale University to visit Africa after nearly 317 years of your establishment. Hasn’t that been long in coming?

Salovey: Yes, I would guess it has been. But you know it’s so interesting at this moment where 12 African countries are in the top 20 among the fastest growing economies in the world, it’s an incredible moment.  But mostly, we’re just seeing so much interest in Africa by Yale students and so much interest in Yale here in Africa so it seems that the time has come.

Caleb: So the time has come and there is a great opportunity for Yale to take advantage of…

Salovey: I think that’s true. Our way of working in countries beyond the United States is to develop partnerships. We don’t build campuses. But what we really like to do is form partnerships so that it is a genuine collaborative relationship where both parties learn from each other. Those partnerships can be built on student to student, faculty to faculty, institution to institution and we are here trying to do all of that.

Caleb: During your inauguration as President of Yale in 2013, you promised a more unified, accessible, innovative and excellent Yale how well are you doing on that promise?

Salovey: Thank you. These are broad goals. But by a more unified Yale what we meant is bringing the campus together across boundaries. Whether there are boundaries that separate the different kinds of students, or boundaries that separate the disciplines, we could be better together as the expression goes. Accessibility largely meant making university education at Yale affordable for people of all economic backgrounds. And we now give very aggressive financial support to domestic and to international students. We admit them without regard to their financial background. We call it need blind – meaning that the admissions office tries to put together  the most interesting class it can based on peoples intelligence, talents and motivations, and is blind to whether they need financial help to come to Yale and we give that financial support in the same way whether they are domestic students or international students. And so more than half of our international students receive financial aid from the University for Yale College, they receive on average more than $50,000 a year. Most international students are going to come to Yale without a cost to their families. There are a few universities in the US who do this. We are not the only one but it is still unusual.

CALEB: As the proponent of emotional intelligence how intelligent will you say Yale University has become in the face of stark racism against its 21% international student population?

SALOVEY: This is a complicated question. By emotional intelligence what John Mayer and I meant was that we all have a set of skills that we can refine, develop and measure that allow us to process emotional information and to take advantage of what that information provides. So these are skills around identifying emotions, understanding them, managing them and using them in interpersonal ways. Now to say that an institution is emotionally intelligent is an interesting question. I guess what the real thing is as an institution is, are we cultivating empathy, an understanding of others, our willingness to learn from others.

One of the ways we do that is through the diversity of our student body. Undergraduates at Yale are 11%, international graduate students are about 30-35%.

In Yale College, if you combine the international students with American minority groups, African-American, Asian, Latino and Native Americans, all that combined is more than half of the class. Having that kind of diversity really helps people learn in an emotionally intelligent way from people whose backgrounds are different from their own.

We do have moments where we are not best ourselves. Like almost every campus in America there have been incidents where people are not tolerant, but I will say we learn from them and move on. Yale is a very welcoming community. The idea of inclusion is now very important to us.  Diversity is a statistical issue, what are your numbers? That only takes you so far. Inclusion means everybody feels this is their place. And when Yale started I wouldn’t have been welcomed, you might not have been welcomed, none of us. But it’s a very different place now than it was in 1701. But how do we ensure that despite not sharing nearly 317 years of history, it’s our place?

CALEB: We read on the internet and our friends at Yale tell us contrary to all the massive publicity about Yale there are everyday cases of racism in their face. And they feel that is still an issue that the University hasn’t been able to address. What are you doing to ensure that Yale is a more inclusive institution these days?

SALOVEY: I hope there aren’t everyday examples. But we have to teach in classrooms. We have to develop friendships in our residential colleges, our students all live together, they are randomly put together so the most likely scenario is you are living with someone who is not like yourself and we learn from those examples. We have to be always talking about the challenges that confront our country. Listen, what you are describing and what friends are describing are not unique to Yale. It’s pervasive in the American society. But we can be better than that.

CALEB: Especially when you say you want to build a better world, a better future…

SALOVEY: That’s the first sentence of our mission. To improve the world today for future generations. I don’t think today in America on University campuses like Yale, you’ll see a lot of explicit racism where people will say they don’t like someone because of their background.

CALEB: There was an all-white girls’ party recently which banned black girls from attending, there was the Halloween custom controversy all on Yale campus which sparked heated debates the world over on racism at Yale that challenges your claim.

SALOVEY:  I think the issue is something more unconscious. People need to examine to our assumption. It’s a little hard to examine something that is unconscious but I think we have to become more aware of the biases that everyone holds. But we do not see a lot of explicit racism what we see is unconscious bias that we see rear its head.

CALEB: So we will see a more inclusive Yale very soon?

SALOVEY: I think that’s already well underway. Those difficulties that you described the Halloween a few years ago, people learnt from them, and learnt the importance of taking the perspective of someone else and how they will view our custom and our inaction.

CALEB: How about Calhoun College? (One of 12 undergraduate residential colleges in Yale, named after America’s most prominent defender of slavery and 7^th Vice President 1825-1832)

SALOVEY: At the time, the University named the College after John C. Calhoun, an alumnus of Yale College who became Vice President of the United States, the University was proud of his legacy. But his stance on racism is something the University is not proud of. It does not conform to our mission and values. We will rather keep his statue in our art gallery for purposes of historical studies. We have renamed Calhoun College. We have named it Grace Hopper. Grace Hopper was a woman who was very early in computer science field, she invented the first compiler. Also we have a College named after Pauli Murray. She was a civil rights leader, worked on gender and racial equality and came to Ghana to teach at the University of Ghana.

CALEB:   So clearly women are being celebrated here.

SALOVEY: Exactly, that is my point.

CALEB: In Yale University’s nearly 317 years of illustrious history, you have produced 5 U.S presidents including Bill Clinton who you describe as highly emotionally intelligent. 4 of your graduates actually signed the American Declaration of Independence among many other products all over the world. What were the principles of the founders of Yale that have kept it going all these years?

SALOVEY: Now that’s a very interesting question. The University was founded essentially as a seminary and trained ministers. That gave it a very strong moral compass. But in 2018, we are a very different Yale than we were in 1701. In the 1700s, Yale largely trained ministers to work as preachers or scholars.

CALEB: That should explain why your first principal Abraham Pierson was a minister.

SALOVEY: Exactly. In fact, the first several principals were ministers. In the 1800s, Yale became a regional college training students in what was thought as the liberal arts in those days. In the 20^th Century Yale became a national university, adopted strong research programs and combined them with very intense focus on undergraduate liberal education. But in the 21^st century, we are a global university educating students from all over the world in the liberal tradition which means teaching general skills that helps one think critically, communicate better, work in teams and work in leadership positions anywhere in the world in any sector.

CALEB: Clearly, the phase of higher education is evolving. What would you say is the next phase of higher education globally?

SALOVEY: That’s a very good question. You know accessibility is a huge issue. We really need to make sure that students can afford a college education. It’s an issue here in Ghana, it’s an issue in the United States. Unfortunately right now, we are seeing our states investing less in their colleges and universities. I am worried about that, I am worried that a ticket to a better life which is what a college education was, is becoming very expensive. So Yale is trying to address that by giving very aggressive financial aid. If you are at the average income level in the US, your family is from the average income level or lower in the US, and you are admitted to Yale, you come to Yale with no financial burden to your family.  We have to be that aggressive or we are going to have a much skewed educated community.

You know my grandparents did not go to college. My dad was the first in his family but his parents really believed in the value of education. But when he went to college he went to City College of New York, it was free, he went to graduate school at Harvard it was free. I graduated from high school from the Bronx High School of Science it was free.

CALEB: That was free education all through.

SALOVEY: That was free education all through and that is hard to find now for a student from a family of limited financial background. We have to make sure that that doesn’t get lost.

CALEB: Here in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo has launched the Free Senior High School program. He believes the program will make Ghana like America in the next few years because when America started its free education program it did not have the financial muscle it has now. Giving every Ghanaian child free SHS education regardless of whether they can more than afford or they are really poor and cannot afford is the best way to go. You are an academic who believes in the value of education and an administrator of a university that knows the cost of education. What are your thoughts on a middle income country like Ghana rolling out free SHS?

SALOVEY: I can’t claim to be an expert on Ghana and the debate that you are having. But I think free education through high school is very very important. That’s where students learn basic skills – reading, writing, arithmetic. That’s where students learn what it takes to be ready to take a job and contribute to society. I think there is nothing more important than a society that can provide free education at least up to a point. In the US that’s up to age 18.

For colleges and universities, I think what we want to do is to create access for students who cannot afford to come, it’s free. For students somewhere in the middle, they pay a little bit, and for students who are from wealthy families they pay more. It’s a way of making it possible for everyone to get a college or university education. A kind of slide in scale model. So free up to a certain point that makes sense for society and then slide in scale after that.

CALEB: So the cost of tertiary education should be targeted, you propose?

SALOVEY: Yeah, College education should be targeted by how much income you earn.

CALEB: But Senior High education should be completely free for all?

SALOVEY: I would hope so. If a country can afford it, I think there is nothing more important for the future.

CALEB: After government rolled out Free SHS here in Ghana, enrollment has been huge shooting up by 90,000.  But the spaces in tertiary institutions are not expanding as fast as would be desired. What are the dangers if we do not expand to accommodate the huge numbers?

SALOVEY: You are right. This could be a very frustrating experience because you now have all of these college ready students but not an increase in College spaces. But I think as the country can afford it, increasing those opportunities are going to be important. But you know, we admit students from Ghana every year. In about another few weeks, we will learn many have been admitted this year. But I know there are Ghanaians in that group. And that’s another safety valve here, coming abroad, studying abroad and we will provide the financial support for all those who need it.

CALEB:  So Yale is ready to open its arms to every Ghanaian?

SALOVEY: Very much. I think Ghanaians will find that we have worked very hard to create an inclusive University where they will be valued and they will have a very very good experience.

CALEB: Talking about that, there are more notable Ghanaian alumni of Yale like our current Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta, Executive Director of CDD, Prof. H.K Prempeh, Chief Executive of Tullow Oil Ghana Kweku Awotwi, how well would you say Yale alumni are doing in Ghana and Yale in particular?

SALOVEY: So we are very proud of the students from Ghana who came and studied at Yale and then returned home and became leaders in society.

Our goal is to educate leaders for all sectors of society throughout the world and so this makes us very very proud. I had breakfast with Finance Minister and last night he was wearing his Yale hat at our reception. He is proud of his time at Yale and we are very proud of him. It creates wonderful connections between our countries and we very much hope that future students from Ghana will lead similar lives of leadership.

CALEB: Do you consider the popularity of online courses like Coursera a threat or an opportunity?

SALOVEY: I think it’s more opportunity than threat, in two ways. First, it really can expand our reach. We can bring Yale Professors to the world and vice versa, and I think that’s a very important aspect of online education. We also can enhance classroom teaching with technology. If I was teaching interactive psychology class today, I would have students watch at home the lectures using online tools. And then in the classroom we will have more discussions, more debates, more demonstrations and experiments so the classroom becomes much more hands on kind of learning environment.  So I am a fun of learning of technology.

CALEB: We are seeing many UK universities building campuses here in Ghana. What is Yale’s plan for Africa particularly Ghana?

SALOVEY: I am delighted that other universities are building campuses, that’s fine. But what we want to do is to make sure that everyone involved in our programs internationally has an intercultural experience both of the place where we have our programs at New Haven Connecticut where we have our main campus. How do we do that? Well, we look for institutions where our faculty already have collaborative relationship with other faculty, we look for institutions where our students have visited and studied or we have students who have come from that institution and come to New Haven Connecticut to study at Yale, and then we try to build our partnership around that idea. We have with the University of Ghana for example such a partnership. It begun really with collaborative research in public health and now we can build on it and extend it. I like that idea because I worry when you build campuses, are you really having an intercultural exchange, are you really having a partnership that values, respects and integrates both cultures or you are just building a little enclave?

CALEB: Now let’s talk about funding. Here in Ghana, many universities are struggling because government contributions delay and dry up. So tell us the American model for funding tertiary education in America in general and Yale University in particular that your Ghanaian counterparts can learn from because I know Yale University is named after a philanthropist called Elihu Yale, and also Yale has an endowment fund that exceeds $25billion which makes it the second richest educational institution in the world.

SALOVEY: Essentially, there are two ways to fund education. One is from government support. And the United States has built a network of wonderful state colleges and Universities that have been the ticket for education for the vast majority of college students. I am very concerned right now that they tend to be supported at the state level not the federal level, and I am very concerned that some of those states are no longer investing at the same level that they once did.

This is very shortsighted as an educated population is one that is going to be innovative, that’s going to push the country in new directions, develop new sources of wealth and create jobs. The other way you can fund higher education is through philanthropy. Most of the private colleges and universities use some versions of philanthropy. Yale along with some other private universities has been lucky, we have had gifts to the university since 1701. The founding of the university was based on philanthropy.

CALEB: Including the very house you live in as President of Yale (Hillhouse Avenue).

SALOVEY: Yes, it is a gift to the University, good example. And then we can invest those gifts in an endowment it can grow over time. But then, we spend five and a quarter percent of that endowment a year, very important. It supports our one third of Yale’s budget and it’s what enables us to give the financial support that we give to students. The other sources of support at Yale are research grants from the government very important for work in the medical school, clinical activities, and physicians generate some money and then students in some programs are paying fees. Students who can afford in the programs for example in their college do pay and that generates some support too. But, the endowment model and investing it carefully, but then spending it every year is very important for us to be able to provide the financial support that we provide.

CALEB: To your Ghanaian counterparts what will be your advice on how to raise the funds?

SALOVEY: It’s hard for me to give advice now…

CALEB: But is it so easy to do?  

SALOVEY: Well it’s not so easy, you have to find people who can afford but there are many grateful people who have gone through the university here, some of whom have become wealthy and there is a culture in which they recognize the university has a target for their philanthropy is a good one to develop.

CALEB: In wrapping up, how has your first visit to Africa, Ghana for that matter been like?

SALOVEY: The visit has been fantastic. Ghanaian people have been so warm. I’ve had to do things like hang out in James Town and see the hip places in town at least one of them. And people have been very interested in Yale. But it’s a two way street, we are very interested in Africa. Our students want to come here and learn from their counterparts here in Africa, our faculty wants to collaborate with African professors and institutions. We want to build more of that. The way in which economies here are changing so rapidly, the obvious resources on the continent, the obvious importance of Africa to the future, to world peace, to climate change, to sustainability, we can’t solve global problems without partnerships that are international. And I don’t see any of those problems being solved without Africa and US working together. And I am pleased to help build those ties on behalf of my country but also on behalf of my university.

CALEB: Is this interest in Africa, its resources and emerging economies another power struggle and scramble for Africa’s remaining resources?

SALOVEY:  I hope not. I hope what we are doing here is looking for partnerships that are win-win. Whether they are partnerships around technology, around health care around environment, I think we work together for mutual benefit. If we are not doing that, then I think we are not doing the right thing.    

CALEB: So what Ghanaian experience have you had so far?

SALOVEY: Like many visitors I have really enjoyed the cuisine. The food here is absolutely delicious. I have been eating a lot of goat soup – absolutely fantastic.

And of course visiting the memorial of your founding President (Dr. Kwame Nkrumah) very moving to me so what I learnt about the history of this country, the history of independence is also an important part of the visit here too. The only way these partnerships work is if it’s a two way street, what can I learn from you, what can you learn from me. And I have learnt a lot on this trip.

CALEB: It’s been a great pleasure speaking to you President Peter Salovey.

SALOVEY: Pleasure speaking with you too, thank you so much for your time.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Telecommunications Chamber, Ken Ashigbey, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES), to reconsider its stance against the use of mobile phones in Senior High Schools.

Speaking at the 87^th Speech and prize-giving Day celebration of the St Augustine’s College in Cape Coast on Saturday, Mr. Ashigbey said mobile phone usage could be properly regulated in schools to advance academic work of students.

The anniversary celebration which was on the theme: “The role of technology in preparing students for the future global economy” brought together people from all walks of life including; old boys, staff, parents and other distinguished personalities from across the country.

Mr. Ashigbey said allowing SHS students to use mobile phones must not be a problem because students could be guided on the effective use of the internet and its profitability.

He was of the view that students should be taught to create content that would promote development rather than just being taught the basics of a computer and internet.

“Help students develop digital strategies by teaching them how to code and making coding part of their syllabus”, he said.

Mr. Ashigbey encouraged teachers to embrace the current technological trend as it was a necessary requirement in the fast changing technological world.

This he said would help them direct student’s interest in technology, and make them better prepared in the key skills of critical thinking, communication and creativity to better succeed in the global economy.

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Source: GNA

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The Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), is threatening a nationwide industrial action if the government fails to pay teachers’ salary arrears by close of March 2018.

The arrears according to the coalition, dates back to 2013.

The President of CCT, King Ali Awudu, at a press conference on Monday said the government has failed to honor pledges to pay the monies on two occasions.

He said the Union will therefore strike from April 2018 if the Ministry of Finance, thus the government, does not pay the arrears.

Ali Awudu said the Ministry of Finance had signed an agreement with the group earlier this year pledging to complete validation of all documents and paying the arrears accordingly.

He however noted that, their efforts to reach the Ministry to ascertain the progress so far, have proven futile.

“We cannot any longer hold the wrath of teachers if at the end of March 2018, the arrears are not paid. The Ministry of Finance should brace itself for an industrial unrest if the March 2018 agreement is not fulfilled. An industrial action is therefore imminent unless otherwise averted by obeying the agreement dated January 16, 2018,” he said at the press conference.

The group had considered a legal action against the government over the matter, but backed down after the government indicated that it was taking steps to pay the arrears.

More than 60,000 teachers are expected to be paid the arrears.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations, (NABPTEX), has inaugurated its examination committee.

At the swearing-in ceremony, on Friday, March 16, 2018, the Chairman of NABPTEX, Paul Kwasi Agyemang, charged members of the Committee to work towards improving the vocational and technical training in support of government’s industrialization agenda.

The Committee has Professor Kwasi Obiri Danso, the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as its Chairman. Other members include;

For the Health Sciences subjects:

Professor Obiri Danso will chair the Health Sciences Examination Committee with assistance from Agnes Oppong Baah, Nurses and Midwifery Council, Martin Odoom Alexander, Department of Medical Laboratory, and William Kwesivi Segbefia, from Industry and commerce, KINAPHARMA.

Applied Arts / Science Subjects Panel:

Professor Kwadwo Adinkra- Appiah, Chairman. It has supporting members, which include: Kisiedu Akufo-Kumi, Institute of Industrial Research, Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, University of Cape Coast, and Charles Yorke, Ghana Metrological Agency.

Business and Finance subjects:

Samuel Segbefia, Rep from GAPTI will be the chairman, and will be supported by Anthony Yaw Oppong, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ayeboafo Boadu, Kumasi Technical University, and Baffour Akuffo Ankama, National Board for Small Scale Industries.

Engineering subjects:

Dr. Helen Korkor Essandoh, a representative of the National Council for Tertiary Education,  will chair the Engineering subject area. She will be supported by Valence Wise Ametefe of the Engineering Council, Amevi Acakpovi of Accra Technical University, and Rachel Amanfu of Ghana Standards Authority.

Liberal and General Studies:

It will be chaired by Ernest N. O. Quaye, a representative from the West African Examination Council. He will be assisted and supported by Wilberforce Dzisah of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Owusu Collins Kwaning of the Accra Technical University, and Justice Dennis Adjei of the Judicial Service.

The Committee, established these subjects panel to oversee examination related processes. The subjects panel, which comprises representatives from the NABPTEX council, Academia, Professional bodies, and the field of industry according to the Chairman of NABPTEX, Paul Kwasi Agyeman, is an advantage to the board.

He indicated that this will ensure the formation of a strong working partnership between NABPTEX and industry, academia and professional bodies, as well as fulfill the national agenda on TVET, and promote NABPTEX’s vision of meeting the national level man-power requirements.

The Committee also avails to NABPTEX a diversity of rich expertise that will strengthen its roles to formulate and administer schemes of examinations, assessments, certification and standard skills and syllabus competencies for the non-university tertiary institutions, professional bodies and private institutions accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB).

Paul Kwasi Agyeman also said among others, the Examination board has the mandate to determine both objectively and professionally, if students or candidates satisfy the requirements set out in the curriculum, and assessed by NABPTEX in accordance with its mandate.

The Committee is to ensure the highest standard in the conduct of NABPTEX examinable courses and programmes.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/ citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Members of Parliament are expected to receive GHc75,000 each for the funding of education-related projects and monitoring of same in their constituencies.

The amount was captured in the recently approved Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) formula for 2018.

In the formula, each MP was allocated GHc60,000 for the projects and GHc15,000 for their monitoring.

This amounts to a total of GHc 20.6 million out of the GHc924 million approved as the amount to be disbursed this year from the GETFund.

Out of the amount approved for the GETFund, 35.48% representing GHc328,136,603 has been allocated to tertiary institutions, 27.72% representing GHc246,323,360 will be going to secondary schools; 27.37% representing  GHc253,11,580 to basic schools, while other expenses by the GETFund amount to GH¢66,604,000, representing 7.2%.

The allocation for the MPs’ projects and monitoring represents 2.23%.

The allocation for the MPs is a slight increase from 2017, where GHc15,125,000 and GHc4,425,000 were allocated to the MPs Emergency Projects and monitoring respectively.

The GETFund is a public trust set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000.

Its core mandate is to provide funding to supplement government effort for the provision of educational infrastructure and facilities within the public sector from the pre-tertiary to the tertiary level.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Unity Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science of Technology (KNUST) emerged winner of this year’s [2018] edition of TEK Smartest; a programme designed to find and reward the university’s smartest students.

The competition forms part of the university authorities’ efforts to ensure a holistic training of students, with the aim of engaging them socially and promoting their academic welfare.

The competition which began last year by the university’s chapter of the National Union of Students tests students’ ability to critically think and answer questions bordering on specific academic fields and general ones.

After a rigorous and exciting round of questions which threw the frenzied crowd of more than 2000 students who had gathered at the Great Hall of the university into suspense , competing halls were pruned to three, Unity, Queen’s and Independence.

The three were then tasked to propose a solution for the abolition of plastic bags in selling food, especially hot food.

The solution required the students to employ a technological approach in solving the problem.

At the end, Unity Hall emerged winners with 160 points with Independence Hall following with 145 points.

For their reward, Unity Hall took away a cash prize of GHC1,500.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A student of the University of Cape Coast studying Business Management, Mr. Collins Nkrumah Gyabeng, is the second Ghanaian to be rewarded with a plot of land at the prestigious Appolonia City in the on-going Guinness ‘Win a Piece of Ghana’ promotion.

After the second weekly draw, Mr. Collins Nkrumah Gyabeng, who emerged as the second winner, is now a proud owner of a plot of land at Appolonia city in Accra.

The ‘Win a Piece of Ghana’ promo, which was launched on 1^st March 2018, seeks to reward 16 loyal Guinness drinkers over a period of 16 weeks with plots of land in Appolonia City.

During the presentation ceremony at the office of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited in Accra, Marketing Manager for Guinness, Mrs. Lesego Lebogang Babe, said “I am very elated that once again we have given another Ghanaian starting his adult life with a real taste of independence. This means a lot to us because we are giving them a head start to a great future with opportunity to own land”.

She noted that “two weeks after the launch of this promo, I am very happy to announce that we have had over 800,000 entries, which is a clear sign that this is a promotion that really resonates with Ghanaians.”

She indicated that the promotion was the brands way of celebrating independence with Ghanaians and showing appreciation to its consumers for their loyalty to Guinness over the last 57 years.

Receiving his prize, Mr. Collins Nkrumah Gyabeng, expressed appreciation to Guinness for coming up such an innovative campaign to empower Ghanaians.

“I still cannot believe it. I am very excited and encouraged to complete my studies, graduate in 2019 and take my time to plan what I want to do with my land. Thank you to Guinness for this reward, indeed I have been given the nod to be independent,” he said.

There are still 14 plots of land left to be won during the promotion as well as the opportunity to win millions of instant prizes including airtime and data. Guinness drinkers should look out for limited edition GHANAIAN bottle in bars and in store and SMS the code under the crown to 2125 to stand a chance to win.

For all of the latest details on the promotion and winners, make sure to like the Guinness Ghana Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Guinness.Gh.

Guinness is a bold, distinctive beer that has been proudly brewed here in Ghana for over 57 years.  It is an iconic beer that isn’t afraid to express itself, a beer that has the darkest liquid, but the brightest flavours.

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Source: Guinness

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As part of activities to mark Israel at 70 in Ghana, the Embassy of Israel in partnership with the Akrofo Human Resource Development Centre and Bueman Senior High School in Jasikan, has embarked on a Tree Planting project.

The project saw the Embassy lead in the planting of about 500 eucalyptus seedlings at the Bueman SHS and the Township of Jasikan.

This tree planting project was to reinforce and encourage the students to be responsible for their environment.

Ambassador Mehl

Tu Bishvat is the New Year of the Trees in Israel, during which people are reminded of their responsibility to keep the environment safe, clean and greener.

According to Dr. Yael Mehl, the Public Diplomacy Coordinator at the Embassy of Israel, “the state of Israel puts in much efforts to protect nature and develop it during its 70 years of independence, and it should be emphasized that 50% of Israel – the Holy Land, is a desert, but we turned it into a flourishing developed environment”.

Speaking to students at Bueman SHS, the Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, H. E. Ami Mehl, bemoaned the rate at which galamsey activities, for instance, has destroyed most of Ghana’s river bodies and lands.

“One of the reasons for global warming is because, people are cutting down trees in the forest and the solution to this is by planting more trees,” he added.

He thus called on all stakeholders to create awareness about environmental protection through tree planting.

“We have the responsibility to teach the next generation about the importance of making the world a better, cleaner, and worth living place,” hence, the essence of this tree planting project,” he emphasized

The Headmaster, Mr. Edison Tetteh Adzigodie, expressed his delight for the selection of Bueman SHS to partner in the tree planting project.

He assured that “all resources invested in the project will not end in futility” and called for an exchange programme between Bueman SHS and the Embassy of Israel to ensure a sustained relationship between the two.

H.E. AMI MEHL

On his part, the District Chief Executive of Jasikan, Mr. Lawrence Kwami Aziale, expressed gratitude to the Embassy for replicating the festival of tree planting in Jasikan.

He pledged to lead the district to embark on more tree planting projects that will bring economic value to the people.

Dr. Yael Mehl 

He also called for a collaborative support between Jasikan and sister cities in Israel to expose the district to some of Israel’a agricultural technologies.

The project brought together a delegation from the University of Ghana’s Institute of Environment & Sanitation Studies, students, teachers, traditional leaders, opinion leaders and various representatives of the Forestry Commission in Jasikan, to lead in planting trees.

About 500 eucalyptus seedlings were planted.

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By: Citifmomline.com/Ghana

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The Wa Polytechnic chapter of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), has called on the Governing Council of the institution to cancel an upcoming induction ceremony for its Rector, Owusu Marfo.

This follows series of allegations of financial malfeasance and breaches of the procurement regulations leveled against him.

He further cited other financial irregularities as basis for their call.

“The Unions are raising red flags against the induction of the Rector. We all know that the induction is an inaugural ceremony for the Rector. He has been in office for one year now. This coming Saturday is the day that Council has scheduled to induct him, but we think it is inappropriate to induct him when there are allegations of financial malfeasance- massive financial fraud against him,” Mr. Mubashir said.

He believes the Rector should not be inducted into office since he had “abused his office.”

Mr. Mubashir further suggested a suspension of Mr. Marfo’s induction until he is cleared of the allegations.

“We have resolved that until he is cleared of these allegations, the Council should not induct him into office.”

He indicated that the chapter will head to court if Mr. Marfo is inducted on Saturday.

“We have asked our lawyer to file an injunction on his induction  and I am thinking that as I am speaking to you the Governing Council has received its writ of summons hence the induction ceremony will not come off. We think that for fairness and justice the induction should not come off.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Ghana Education Service [GES], has warned that teachers in both private and public schools who inflict Corporal punishment on students would be appropriately dealt with per the guidelines of the service.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of Ghana Education Service, Jacob A. M. Kor,  he said “it has come to their notice that the ban on corporal punishment is not being enforced in schools.”

“We wish to indicate that Corporal punishment in our institutions is illegal and would not be tolerated in any form”

The Service explained that “The directive is in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the right of the child (CRC), which was corrected in Ghana in 1990, and the Children’s Act of 1998 m(Act 560).

“We strongly advise that teachers, Educational Workers and staff of Public and Private would continue to exhibit the best professional conduct throughout the entire process of educational service delivery to pupils and students, without having to resort to the use of corporal punishment”.

According to the GES, it was becoming public knowledge that teachers continued to apply the cane even though the GES had banned the practice.

Concerns are that, there have been instances where in the course of administering corporal punishment, the teachers ended up deforming the pupils.

The Service is of the firm belief that there are different ways by which pupils or students could be punished, citing for instance, giving students assignments to do while their mates are playing during break time among others.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Lancaster University Ghana has announced the appointment of Professor Anthony Jarvis as its new Provost and Chief Academic Officer.

Professor Anthony Paul Jarvis holds an Honours degree in History and Political Science from Monash University in Melbourne Australia, and a D.Phil. from Oxford University, England, and is now responsible for the academic management and strategic development of the Lancaster University Ghana campus.

Professor Jarvis’ areas of expertise include industrial and medieval history, international political economy and international relations.

His research interests include the history and politics of the European Union and the history and origins of globalization and international development. He has taught in many universities across the world including South Korea, China, France, Thailand, Australia, and the United States of America and has presented conference papers in Canada, China, Japan and the United Kingdom.

In addition to his strong academic leadership and scholarship, Professor Jarvis has had experience in different sectors: while studying he worked as a motor mechanic, designed offices and furniture, and after graduation worked with the United Nations in Geneva and New York.

During his years of travelling and learning, Professor Jarvis has gotten to know a lot about Africa, but had never visited sub Saharan Africa, and was excited at the possibility of joining Lancaster and making a contribution in Ghana.

“LUG has a unique proposition in Ghana. It provides a pathway to employment or further study in Ghana, a gateway to Africa, and a gateway to the rest of the world. It also provides a unique education proposition in Ghana. It brings a UK model of flexibility to undergraduate studies, but also has the intensity and focus that you expect from a world-class university. This is why I thought this opportunity was too good to pass up,” said Professor Jarvis in an interview.

Speaking on the future of the university, Professor Jarvis said, “The future of LUG is to become the private University of Choice in Ghana, with the construction of our new campus which will lead to an expansion in our courses, the university is committed to continuously trying to improve the student experience and outcomes.

LUG’s future is to make a contribution to the future of Ghana. TAG, our founding partner has a motto “developing the people who develop nations”, but I will take it further to say LUG is contributing to developing the people who develop the world, and I am delighted to be a part of this.”

Professor Jarvis’ appointment as Provost and Chief Academic Officer took effect on November 23, 2017, when he took over from Professor John Grainger, who had served in that position since the inauguration of the Lancaster University Ghana campus in 2013.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, the renowned Science and Maths Quiz mistress, will be awarded The 2018 Golden Torch Award for International Academic Leadership at the 44th Annual National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Conference on Saturday March 24th in Pittsburgh, USA.

Each year during its annual Convention, NSBE Global awards the Golden Torch in a closing extravaganza to honor the highest academic achievers.

The convention will begin on March 21^st and end on March 25^th during which Dr. Kaufmann will be honored at the closing ceremony.

This was disclosed by Mr. Billy James Dega, Director of Programs, NSBE Ghana.

The award is given to a leader and a strong supporter of NSBE international who demonstrates excellence in support of academics on an international level and exhibits commitment to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. He added

Dr. Kaufmann commented about the award:

“I feel incredibly honoured. It is also gratifying to know that the activities in which I have been involved are appreciated and beneficial to so many people. I am grateful for the opportunity to make an impact,” she said.

“This award signifies international recognition of my work. As I go round Ghana interacting with students at different levels and their teachers, I will showcase the award as confirmation that it is possible for our people to also be beacons of excellence, brightening their own corner, but the light they generate can transcend far beyond their imaginations. It is an encouragement to strive for excellence wherever one finds himself or herself.”

Dr. Kaufmann, whose work is being recognized by the National Society of Black Engineers worldwide, is the first female recipient of the International Leadership Award. However, this is not the first time a Ghanaian has received recognition from the worldwide fraternity of engineers.

In 2013, Prof. Samuel Yeboah Mensah, the then Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, was adjudged the first male African recipient of the distinguished Academic Excellence Leadership Award for his massive contribution to science especially in the area of engineering by the National Society of Black Engineers at the 39th Convention in Indiana.

In 2014, Ing. Prof. Innocent Kofi Ampadu; Immediate past Provost, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is the 2nd African to receive that same award.

Dr. Elsie Effah Kaufmann is a Senior Lecturer and founding Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Ghana.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE), a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) and a PhD in Bioengineering, all from the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

After her graduate studies, she received her postdoctoral training at Rutgers University before joining the University of Ghana in 2001.

Prof.’s teaching and research focus on Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Application of Biomedical Engineering concepts to the solution of problems in the Ghanaian context.  She was the recipient of the University of Ghana’s Best Teacher Award for the Sciences in 2009.  She is also keenly interested in Science education at all levels and has been the Host/ Quiz Mistress of the Ghana National Science & Mathematics Quiz TV Program since 2006.  Dr. Effah Kaufmann is the 2017 Impact Africa Summit Laureate for Education in Ghana.  The award recognizes her “exceptional and continuous contribution to science education in Ghana and for being a role model and inspiration to many young girls”.

Dr. Effah Kaufmann was a member of the Planning Committee set up by the Academic Board of the University of Ghana to make proposals for establishing the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and was also a member of the three-person Implementation Committee set up by the Vice Chancellor following the submission and adoption of the Planning Committee’s report.  She was appointed as the first Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering in 2006. During their first conference in 2017, she was elected as the President of the Ghana Society of Biomedical Engineers (GBSE).

Dr. Kaufmann joined NSBE in 1988 as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania and eventually become the Patron of NSBE University of Ghana, Legon in 2004. According to her, she feels gratified that her work is being appreciated and beneficial to so many people. For her, engineering provided the opportunity to solve real-life problems in practical and creative ways using technical knowledge. The challenge of making a difference in the lives of people with whom she interacts was what motivated into a field less ventured by most women in Ghana.

When asked about her first reaction to the nomination, she replied that she was completely surprised! “I was working in my office when Mr. Billy James Dega, Director of Programs, NSBE Ghana showed up to tell me that there is an award NSBE-Ghana wanted to nominate me for. I remember thanking him for considering me after which I asked many questions about the award and deadlines.  He probably regretted coming to my office with the news after the barrage of questions from me. I feel incredibly honored. I am grateful for the opportunity to make an impact. Knowing that what I do makes a positive impact in the lives of people motivates me to work harder and to do even more.”

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) was founded in 1975. It is arguably the largest student-run organizations in the world, with core activities centered on improving the recruitment and retention of Black and other minority engineers, in both academia and industry.

Ghana was the first among other African countries to establish an NSBE chapter in August 1998 and has provided opportunities for personal and professional success of its members and since then remains unmatched by any other organization to date.

NSBE’S mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. The program was aimed at promoting women and girls in science, technology and engineering.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The management of the University of Ghana has disassociated itself from reports that it criticized Prof. Kwesi Yankah, the Minister of State in Charge of Education, on his position on the school’s controversial deal with Africa Integras.

The Daily Graphic had reported that “top-level sources” at the University had slammed Prof. Yankah for suggesting that government was working to ensure the University of Ghana’s financial challenges borne out of the deal are addressed.

But the Registrar of the University, Mercy Haizel-Ashia, said in a statement that the University has not issued any statement in response to comments by Prof. Yankah, nor have appointed anyone to react on its behalf.

“The University of Ghana has neither issued any comments on the interview granted by the Minister State responsible for Tertiary Education, nor authorized any agents to do so on itself…Management, therefore, dissociates itself from these comments reported to have been made by top officials of the University in response to the Minister of State’s interview. Such untruths are borne out of mischief and the general public is advised to ignore them,” she said.

Read the full statement below:

There is an ensuing controversy over the University of Ghana’s $64 million agreement entered into during the era of its former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey with Africa Integras, which the current Vice Chancellor believes  has left the school in a serious financial situation.

The Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, in a recent media interview, indicated that the school might be privatized if it fails to meet its obligations in the $64 million agreement.

However the Minister of State at the Presidency in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, said government is committed to ensuring that the University of Ghana is not privatized.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Residents of the Ga Central Municipality in the Greater Accra Region can now boast of a modern ICT Centre.

This follows the handing over of the China-Ghana Friendship Community Center to the community on Friday.

The Center, whose construction was aided by the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, has a multimedia classroom, a conference room, two offices, a lobby, washrooms, and uninterrupted power supply.

The ICT Centre, which is also the first large-scale multipurpose public facility in the municipality is located on the campus of the Maranatha University College.

During the handing over ceremony, the Ga Central Municipal Chief Executive, Dr. Emmanuel Lamptey indicated that the facility couldn’t have come at a better time, as the assembly is migrating a lot of its transactions onto the electronic and digital platforms

He assured the public that they will put the facility to good use and ensure its maintenance.

The Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, who doubles as the Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey underscored the enormous mutual economic benefits of the collaboration to Ghana and China.

Using the facility as a case in point, she was hopeful that the relationship between the two countries relationship will deepen.

She added that her constituents and students of the Maranatha University College will make maximum use of the facility which will save them time and money travelling elsewhere to get those services.

For her part, the Chinese Ambassador, Sun Boahong, pledged her country’s continuous support to Ghana.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana.

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The University of Ghana, Legon will be unable to pay its workers their March 2018 salaries on time due to the government’s failure to release subventions.

No timeline has been given for when payment will eventually be made.

A memo, sighted by Citi News, from the University Registry also revealed that the University has been borrowing money for the past two months to pay salaries.

The memo, which was signed by the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mercy Haizel-Ashia said the “processing and release of the compensation subvention for January and February has been delayed.”

Registrar of the University of Ghana, Legon, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia

“Therefore, payment for March 2018 salaries cannot be made as scheduled. It is not possible to borrow for a third month to pay salaries,” the memo added.

Assurances have been given that “efforts are being made by management to ensure that the delay does not prolong.”

Payment of salaries at the university is normally effected by the 25th day of the month.

The staff of the University would have been expecting their salaries this past Friday, March 23.

Carbon copy of 2014

The university was faced with a similar situation in February 2014 when salaries delayed.

The delayed payment of the salaries at the time was also due to cen­tral government’s failure to release subventions.

The memo from that time, also signed by Mercy Haizel-Ashia read: “The University Community is informed that the University is unable to pay salaries for February 2014 due to the delay in the release of Government Subvention.” Payment of salaries will be made as soon as the sub­vention is received.”

At that time, salaries delayed for about 10 working days before payment was eventually made.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Business College International (BCI) in Tamale has launched its 15th Anniversary celebrations with a promise to increase its scholarship package quota to assist needy students.

The school’s Head of Operations, Bilal Shamsudeen, at the official launch recalled that the school in 2003 began
with a student population of 165.

According to him, the school has since produced 8,000 Senior High School and 1,500 diploma graduates.

“These include students from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and some as far as Kenya. These students are doing very well in many governmental and non-governmental agencies nationwide. Some in the military, health services, the police, teaching, banking, trading and other businesses.”

Bilal Shamsudeen Taimako stated that the school has, by extension, established what is known as the Taimako Educational Support Programme (TESP) to give scholarships to 15 female students each year to study agricultural Science.

“This is to last for 10 years making 150 girls in total. This initiative is the brain child of Hajia Taimako who has distinguished herself in Agroforestry and Herbal medicine.”

“Our scholarship isn’t for brilliant but needy students but for needy students. Many of these students are diamonds in dirt that have not been found. They need the opportunity before we can realize their true potential,” he stressed.

He reechoed discipline as the school’s hallmark saying, “It is our foremost responsibility to train students to be hard working, dedicated to duty, to be honest and sincere in their dealings and most importantly to be disciplined.”

“Our believe is very simple. If we fail to inculcate discipline and put the young ones right then we are not only to fail the students but fail our nation. The society as it is today is failing us in this regard. The school cannot and must not fail in putting the students right.”

Bilal Shamsudeen Taimako reiterated the school management’s commitment to improving infrastructure and also introducing more initiatives to churn out community and nation builders.

The school’s Director, Alhaji Ibrahim Taimako commended Prudential Bank, other organizations and individuals for their continuous support.

He singularly extolled the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Alhaji Mohammed Haroun Cambodia for his guidance and counselling to the school’s management.

Awards and citations were given to deserving organizations, individuals, continuing and past students.

Alhaji Mohammed Haroun Cambodia, Fancy Gadam and Maccasio were among the distinguished awardees.

As one of the Northern Region’s best performing private second cycle institutions, the BCI was established in 2003 to give junior school graduates the opportunity to acquire secondary and diploma education.

The school is located on the Tamale-Bolgatanga highway at Kanvili and not far from the Kamina Barracks.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Lecturers of Wa Polytechnic have threatened to embark on a sit-down strike from tomorrow [Monday] in protest of the appointment of the school’s rector, Professor Emmanuel Marfo-Owusu.

The workers, on Saturday, boycotted an induction ceremony for the Rector, whom they have accused of financial malfeasance, among other things.

The Local Chairman of the Wa Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana, Damie Mubashir said the governing Council ignored their petition calling for a boycott of the induction ceremony in order to avoid embarrassment.

“We petitioned the Governing Council, upon some allegations, that there is financial malfeasance, abuse of office, corruption and they have set up an investigation committee to look at it but we are saying the man should step aside. This was the reason we gave but in the wisdom of the Council, they said once they had invited people, like a face-saving situation. They do not want to embarrass the Council hence they will go ahead with the induction so we said, as a matter of fact, we will not take part in the induction ceremony and that is why we stayed away.”

Mr Mubashir revealed that their members will embark on a strike from next week Monday to drum home their demands.

“We are the people he[Rector] is tormenting. We think it is not necessary to keep him there. We are therefore calling for his removal. On Monday we will not work, we will come and sit down. On Tuesday, we will not work. Next week we will continue until it becomes a cycle.”

Wa Poly lecturers kick against Rector’s induction

The lecturers had earlier called on the Governing Council of the institution to cancel the induction ceremony for the new Rector.

Mr. Mubashir alleged that Professor Marfo-Owusu had procured a vehicle for himself at the cost of over five hundred thousand Ghana cedis without the approval of the Governing Council and hence, should not be inducted.

He further cited other financial irregularities as the basis for their call.

“The Unions are raising red flags against the induction of the Rector. We all know that the induction is an inaugural ceremony for the Rector. He has been in office for one year now. This coming Saturday is the day that Council has scheduled to induct him, but we think it is inappropriate to induct him when there are allegations of financial malfeasance- massive financial fraud against him,” Mr. Mubashir said.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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