2,573 students who successfully completed various programmes in the 2011/2012 academic year have graduated from the University of Ghana. The graduands were from the Faculties of Science, Engineering Sciences, Law, the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, the University of Ghana Business School and the School of Graduate Studies. At the Bachelors level, a total of 264 students representing 17.9 percent of the graduating class, obtained First Class Honours, while 375 representing 25.4 percent obtained Second Class Upper. 665 representing 45.1 percent obtained Second Class Lower, with 157 representing 10.6 percent, obtaining third Class. 17.1 percent of Certificate and Diploma students obtained distinctions, with the remaining obtaining passes. In addition, there were 919 post-graduate graduands including 22 Doctor of Philosophy candidates.
The Chairman of the Uinversity Council, His Lordship Justice S.K. Date-Bah resided over the ceremony, on behalf of the Chancellor, His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey in his address enumerated a number of significant developments the University has undergone over the past year. He mentioned in particular the recent signing of a grant agreement with the Carnegie Corporation of New York which will bring an additional USD 2,350,000 to enhance the capacity of Faculty at the University. Prof. Aryeetey also mentioned attempts at enhancing the Distance Education Progrmme started by the University in 2007, revision of the graduate classification system, a new structure for PHD programmes and the introduction of new programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the University was able to admit students who completed their West African Senior School Certificate Examinations in May and June after an extremely competitive process. He said many qualified applicants had to be turned down due to the lack of adequate facilities and limited human resources.
Prof. Aryeetey advised all the graduands to put all they had learnt from the University into practice, particularly independent thought, decision making and value judgment. He expressed the hope that the graduands will use the physical, mental and social training form the University to meet any challenges they might face head on.
Prof. Aryeetey gave special mention to some staff and members of the university who have distinguished themselves in terms of effectiveness and commitment to the University. They include Prof. Arthur C. Sackeyfio, former Dean of the School of Pharmacy as the Most Effective and Resourceful Dean, Dr. Daniel Etornam Baku, Head of the Department of History, as the Most Effective and Resourceful Head of Department and Mr. Patrick Kuti of the University of Ghana Computing Systems as The Most Effective Professional/Administrator. The rest were Mr. Richard Ato Fosu Nkrumah, of the water section of PDMSD as the Most Effective Technician and Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Ackah also of the PDMSD as the Most Effective Junior Staff.
Ms. Barbara Akosua Bema Gyasi, best graduating student form the Faculty of Engineering Sciences with a Final Grade Point Average of 3.89 delivered the Valedictory address. She recountered the many challenges and successes she and her colleagues had experienced in the course of their study. She urged her colleagues not to forget the values they had learnt during their time at the University and exhibit those values in the world of work.
The Special Guest Speaker, Mr. Kwamina Asomaning, Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking of Stanbic Bank Ghana urged the graduands not to be afraid to take risks but challenge themselves out of their comfort zones. He said in addition to good grades, graduands need to develop qualities such as passion, a positive attitude, dedication, good judgment, discipline, humility and honesty in order to give them a competitive urge in their lives after University.
His Lordship Justice S.K. Date-Bah in his closing remarks urged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the University and wished them well in their endeavours.
This years Congregation ceremony was attended by the Minister for Education, Mr. Lee Ocran as well as representatives from sister Universities. Also in attendance were the two Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and Halls, members of Convocation and members of the public.
