A state-of-the-art Multipurpose Graduate Building belonging to the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) was inaugurated on July 22, 2014. The UGBS Graduate Building is located along the Legon-Madina Highway.
Declaring the purpose of the ceremony, Prof Kwame Ameyaw Domfeh, Dean of the University of Ghana Business School in his welcome remarks, noted that the project began under the leadership of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof C.N.B. Tagoe, and during the tenure of Mr. S. Takyi Asiedu, former Dean of the Business School who performed the sod-cutting ceremony.
Prof. Domfeh who described the ceremony as a defining moment in the history of the University of Ghana, expressed appreciation to all who had contributed to first making the project a reality and also ensuring a successful inauguration. He paid glowing tribute to both the founders of the University of Ghana and the pioneers of the Business School who he said laid a solid foundation for quality tertiary education. He acknowledged the successive roles played by past Deans of the School, notably the late Prof. S. A Nkrumah whose dream he said is manifested in the edifice. He said the building would become an essential foundation in supporting graduate studies in the University of Ghana, thus contributing to Ghana’s socio-economic development. The total cost of the building, he added, is estimated at GH¢12 million.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Ernest Aryeetey, noted that the Business School held a Fundraising Dinner Dance which brought together alumni to help contribute towards the initial efforts in expanding facilities at the School. He said at that time, the School wasgrappling with accommodation due to the rapidly growing student population of an estimated 3,000 students, with more than half as graduate students.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the idea was to provide state-of-the-art facilities and a conducive environment for teaching and learning. He congratulated the University of Ghana Business School for mobilising the needed funds. Prof Aryeetey said it was a source of pride to inaugurate such a magnificent edifice, which was not only a novelty but the first of its kind for a Business School in Ghana. This commendable achievement he said re-echoes the School’s mission to lead, not only in academics but also in modern facilities. On academic issues, he encouraged the Business School to regularly revise its programmes in order to equip students with the necessary skills to enable them contribute their quota to the international community and the Ghanaian society at large.
Prof Daniel Ofori who spoke on behalf of the UGBS Faculty said the past five decades has seen the Business School respond appropriately to empower students with inclusive multidisciplinary thinking, problem solving competencies and a global outlook with respect to policy issues.
Ms. Nana Ama Aidoo (Executive Master of Business Administration) who represented graduate students, said the UGBS continues to offer the best business education in Ghana, adding that the School has risen to the challenge of producing some of the best human resource graduates in the country. She noted that the inauguration marks another milestone in the history of the UGBS, and hoped this would further contribute to the overall development of the School.
First Vice President of the UGBS Alumni Association, Dr Kweku Ofosu Asare, mentioned that alumni of the UGBS have contributed immensely to the economy of the country. Dr Kweku Asare said, the Association seeks to support the UGBS in achieving its objective in assisting companies that better serve the public and the country as a whole. He was hopeful that the Association will assist in fostering professional and working relationships amongst members of the UGBS Alumni. The First Vice President of the Alumni Association commended the 1993 year group for being the most organized, and for their outstanding support to the UGBS.
Chief Executive Officer of CAL Bank, Mr. Frank B. Adu Jnr, an alumnus of the UGBS who was the Guest of Honour said it was important for the Business School to continue to stay relevant and to create the necessary platform to discuss issues affecting the country. He referred to the period when the University engaged in such discourse through the publication of the Legon Observer. He urged faculty of the UGBS not to limit their knowledge to the four walls of the School but ensure it benefits the larger society.
Later an unveiling ceremony to formally inaugurate the Multi-Purpose Edifice was performed by the Guest of Honour, the Vice Chancellor, past and current officials of the UGBS and representatives of the Alumni.
