By Mavis Octhere and Naomi Amissah
A Private Legal Practitioner, Ace Anan Ankoma, is calling on the government to build a robust STEM education system in various universities in Ghana.
He emphasised that STEM education is key to unlocking Ghana’s economic and social progress. By investing and leveraging opportunities in STEM education, he noted, Ghana can equip its youth with the skills and knowledge required to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Prof Ankoma reiterated that government should allocate more resources to improve educational infrastructure, build research hubs in various universities to enhance learning. He made these remarks at the 22nd graduation ceremony of the Methodist University Ghana in Accra.
The graduation ceremony held immense importance for graduates, symbolising the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, perseverance, and the transformative power of education for the class of 2023-2024 academic years, who have successfully completed their academic programs.
The event not only celebrated individual achievements but also acknowledged the critical role these new graduates play in shaping Ghana’s future. The university conferred degrees on 1,800 students from various disciplines.
Lawyer Ace Anan Ankomah reiterated that the university education system in Ghana must help graduates develop solutions to pressing issues, both locally and globally, to ensure Ghana remains competitive in the global economy.
Mr. Ankomah said, “the government must take the lead in establishing Science Technology and Engineering hubs on every university campus, which will encourage students to do research.”
Chairperson of the governing council of the Methodist University Ghana, Justice Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, in a remark, urged graduates to see beyond their area of specialisation, for it is through interdisciplinary learning that will foster innovation, transformation, and progress.
She emphasised that, as graduates embark on their professional journeys, they should make meaningful contributions to Ghana’s development, she reaffirmed the university’s commitment of continuous integration with the graduates.
Justice Mensa-Bonsu urged students to embark on the next chapter of their lives and that their education does not end there. She continued to add that students should not let their education be confined to the walls of the lecture room or the pages of a text book, they should be open to new ideas and also embrace opportunities that will come their way.”
According to the vice chancellor of the university, Rev. Prof. Daniel Yao Bruce, “despite the many challenges faced by private universities, the strength and resilience of Methodist University of Ghana in fulfilling its mission of academic excellence and character building remain resolute.”
Degrees were conferred in fields such as Business Administration, Computer Science, and nursing, among others. The overall best, Akrong Edward Tetteh-Owusu, and other outstanding students received awards for academic excellence and service. The graduation ceremony was under the theme “Empowering 21st Century Graduates, Shaping Careers, Values, and Society Through Education and Training.
According to the vice chancellor of university Rev. Prof. Daniel Yao Bruce, despite the many challenges faced by private universities, they demonstrate the strength and resilience of Methodist University of Ghana in fulfilling its mission of academic excellence and character building. He added that the school is honouring and recognising students who have successfully completed their programmes of study and celebrating the growth and progress of their institution.
