Swearing-in of UGAAL Executives
Vice-Chancellor with dignitaries at the UGAAL Inaugural Ceremony
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Larry Bropleh, the Liberian Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism indicated that Ghana has made significant contributions to education in Liberia and that the presence of illustrious Liberians who double as alumni of the University of Ghana at the event is a testimony to that fact. He revealed that he is an alumnus of the University of Ghana and was hopeful that the launch of the University of Ghana Alumni Association Liberia (UGAAL) would help foster a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship between universities in Liberia and the University of Ghana.
Hon. Larry Bropleh, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism
In his remarks, the Director of Institutional Advancement, Professor Kwasi Dartey-Baah specified that the OIA’s mandate is to champion the mission of the University globally and that the OIA fulfils this mandate in accordance with the Vice-Chancellor's strategic objectives. He explained that one of the objectives of the OIA is to expand the University’s alumni base globally. This objective aligns with the Vice-Chancellor's key strategic objective of ‘creating a sense of ownership and commitment among students, faculty, staff and alumni’.
He noted that prior to the establishment of the Office, the University only had one alumni association, the University of Ghana Alumni Association (UGAA) headquartered in Accra. He mentioned that the University has added two associations being the University of Ghana Alumni Association North America (UGAANA) and the University of Ghana Alumni Association United Kingdom and Ireland (UGAA UK & IE) since 2017. According to him, the launch of UGAAL would put the number of alumni associations officially recognised by the University at four (4) and set the pace for the launch of additional four associations by the end of the year.
Prof. Kwasi Dartey-Baah, Director, Office of Institutional Advancement
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, in her address, indicated that the UGAAL launch is a first step towards strengthening UG’s alumni relations in Liberia and an integral part of the plan to expand the University’s alumni network globally. She indicated her joy being a part of the UGAAL launch and how proud she was of the many UG graduates who were setting the pace in Liberia. She went on to express her desire to strengthen the University’s alumni relations efforts by working closely with the Office of Institutional Advancement to revamp sectional alumni groups and deliver mutually beneficial projects. In concluding her remarks, she noted that the University of Ghana holds its alumni in high esteem and was very appreciative of everyone who worked tirelessly to bring the University of Ghana Alumni Association Liberia into existence and to ensure the success of the launch.
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana
The ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, who was at the launch, indicated that ECOWAS is all about fostering regional integration. According to her, Liberians pursuing higher education at the University of Ghana and the University making a conscious effort to connect with alumni in Liberia provide an opportunity to strengthen and deepen the ties between both countries and institutions within these countries. She noted that fostering collaboration and cooperation in higher education through exchange programmes and benchmarking initiatives was key to developing human capital in West Africa.
H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia
The Head of the Alumni Relations Unit of the OIA, Ms. Adwoa Abrokwa, facilitated the swearing-in of eight individuals as executives of the University of Ghana Alumni Association Liberia. These individuals are: Mr. Daniel Blamoh (President); Mrs. Uomah B. Witherspoon (Vice President); Atty. Victoria W. Duncan (Secretary-General); Mr. Garmondeh Yebleh (Deputy Secretary-General); Mrs. Jackie Eastman (Financial Secretary); Mr. Paylay Halay (Treasurer); Mr. Willie K. Johnson (Chaplain); Mrs. Joanna W. Davies (Organising Secretary); and Atty. Thomas S.W. Neuvffville (Legal Counsel).
Following the swearing-in of the nine-member Executive Committee of the University of Ghana Alumni Association Liberia, the UGAAL President expressed his gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the UG team for the honour bestowed upon him and the members of the UGAAL Executive Committee. He assured that through his team’s leadership, the Association would grow in leaps and bounds and contribute significantly to the legacy of the University.
A fundraiser session which was facilitated by the Liberian Minister of Education, Prof. Ansu Dao Sonii, resulted in USD 2,000 raised in cash with some pledges.
Prof. Ansu Dao Sonii, Minister of Education
The event had other dignitaries and heads of institutions in attendance. These included Member of the Liberian House of Representatives, Hon. Larry P. Younquoi; Former Member of the Liberian House of Representatives and Incorporator/President Emeritus of the Symthe University College, Hon. Richmond S. Anderson; the Director-General of the Liberian National Commission on Higher Education, Prof. Edward L. Wonkeryor; the Liberian Central Bank’s Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Dr. Musa Dukuly; the Liberian Immigration’s Deputy Commissioner General, Hon. Moses K. Yebleh; the President of the University of Liberia, Prof. Julius Sarwolo Nelson; the President of William V.S. Tubman University, Prof. Emmanuel Leon Sieh Wreh; the President of Cuttington University, Dr. Romelle A. Horton; the President of Nimba University, Dr. Jesse Noah Mongrue; the Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church International/Incorporator of Smythe University College, Rev. Owusu B. Randy; the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Liberia, Dr. Moses Zinnah; the President of the Ghana Professionals Association in Liberia, Mr. Eric Ellington Agyedenah and representatives of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana.
