Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State in Charge of Tertiary Education has described the progress of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho (UHAS) as ‘stupendous’. He said after only six years of its establishment, UHAS is providing higher education in the Health Sciences by constructing and disseminating knowledge and applying knowledge acquired to the needs and aspirations of the people of Ghana. He added that this is culminating in the provision of clinical and other vital services towards improving health and quality of life in Ghana and beyond.
Professor Yankah, who was the Guest of Honour, was speaking at the third Congregation Ceremony of the University on Saturday, July 14, 2018. The congregation celebrated 554 students of UHAS who had successfully completed the requirements of their respective courses. Eleven (11) students graduated with post graduate Degrees, while five hundred and forty-three (543) students graduated with Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Public Health.
As part of the University’s collaboration with Leeds Beckett University, UK five (5) students and two (2) students also graduated with Master of Public Health Promotion and Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Promotion respectively.
The Honourable Minister acknowledged the immediate past Governing Council Members, the Past Council Chairman, Professor Kofi Anyidoho, the Founding Vice Chancellor, Professor Fred Newton Binka and his successor Professor John Owusu Gyapong, with their respective UHAS teams for having the foresight and diligence to propel UHAS to enviable heights over a short period.
Reiterating Government’s readiness to provide counterpart funding for the Phase two of the UHAS China project to begin in January, 2019, the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education also stated that Government has in addition to the Book and Research allowances, introduced National Research and Innovation Fund (NRIF). He said the NRIF Bill which is before Parliament, if successfully passed into an Act will provide additional funds to support, promote and publicise research, technology generation and innovation in tertiary education and research institutions.
Professor Yankah encouraged the graduating students to give back to society whatever society has given to them without hesitation and or seeking for reward.
His Lordship Justice Victor Jones Mawulom Dotse, Chairman of the UHAS Council in his welcome address assured the gathering of the Council’s creative guidance and leadership in ensuring high standards in academic output so that UHAS attains the distinctive mark that is envisaged.
Dr. Jemima Dennis-Antwi, the founding President of Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives who was the Guest Speaker for the third Congregation stated that the current technological advancements provide the opportunity to young graduates to research on health issues that would help them to change the world around them. She admonished the graduates in the following words:
To some of you, you are just starting, some are in the middle of the journey and for some you are still pondering over what next. Remember there is no short-cut to success. Rather you have the potential to travel on a winding journey of the wilderness period towards great leadership and achievement. At every point of the journey you need to be courageous, daring, committed, loyal, have character and patience to build your life-time competencies. Ghana needs you. The current technological advancements offer you the platform for innovation towards great success and leadership. You have the potential to challenge yourself beyond myself and all the accomplished persons gathered here. Your future is before you for it is not just what you have underneath that matters. Rather, it is what you do that defines you.
Professor John Owusu Gyapong, the Vice Chancellor on his part said one of his strategic objectives was to facilitate the development of an appropriate governance environment. He added that although the UHAS Act was in place, almost all policies and procedures were adopted from the University of Ghana. He informed the Congregation that the UHAS 10 Year Strategic Plan was launched on April 14, 2018. He stated that as the Management of the University continues to build a solid governance environment, the focus is on the University Statutes. He promised that this should be ready for use by the end of the year.
Professor Gyapong also commended the Registrary Policy Review Committee for their dedication to duty. He enumerated five policy documents that were reviewed and approved by the University Council; Research Policy, Research Ethics, Intellectual Property Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy and Inclusion and Diversity Policy. He was certain that with collective efforts, UHAS will in a short time have more policy documents in place for academic, research and governance guidance.
He seized the opportunity to express appreciation to the chairpersons and members of the respective teams for championing the progress of the University's strategic direction.
The Vice Chancellor stated that as a dedicated institution with the aim to train health professionals, the University of Health and Allied Sciences is in good standing with all the respective professional bodies and the National Accreditation Board. He said the University is currently working with the National Accreditation Board (NAB) to finalise the accreditation process for three new programmes, namely Bachelor, MPhil and PhD in Medical Imaging (Radiography). He added that all other programmes are accredited, re-accredited or in the process of re-accreditation for those that are in existence for more than five years, he said.
In spite of the modest gains, we still have major infrastructure deficits. We are therefore very open to support from the private sector for partnership to develop the University.
Professor Gyapong also urged Government to invest heavily in UHAS and advocated for the creation of a special fund to help provide newly established public universities with the basic infrastructure required for teaching, learning and research.
The Vice Chancellor advised the graduates to be ambassadors of change wherever they find themselves. He further urged them to let the motto of UHAS “Health for Development” and the values of Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Service and Care” be their guide in their quest for success.
The Valedictorian, Mr Emmanuel Sam who graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Physician Assistantship (Clinical) urged his colleagues to move out into the world of work with confidence in the knowledge and skills acquired during their stay in UHAS. He assured the Congregation of their readiness to make UHAS proud wherever they find themselves.
The third Congregation ceremony was attended by members of UHAS Governing Council, Professor Kofi Anyidoho, immediate past Council Chairman, Professor Fred Newton Binka, Founding Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Past and Present Members of faculty and former staff of the University. Other officials of the University including the Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Seth Owusu-Agyei, Registrar, Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo . Deans and Directors, Heads of Departments and other members of Convocation were also present.
Honourable Stephen Akorli, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Traditional Leaderships from Sokode and Kodzobi, a number of parents, guardians and other relatives of the graduates also witnessed the ceremony.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL VIDEO
Download VC's Full Speech Download Guest Speaker's Full Speech