A group picture taken after the launch
The University of Ghana’s School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE), under the College of Education, has launched the 76th Annual New Year School and Conference, scheduled for January 2025. The ceremony, held at the Smart Classroom of the SCDE on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, introduced the upcoming conference’s theme: Attaining the 5-Ps of Sustainable Development for a Resilient Ghana: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.”
Professor Olivia A.T.F. Kwapong, Dean of SCDE
In her welcome address, Professor Olivia A.T.F. Kwapong, Dean of SCDE, expressed gratitude to key partners, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, AISECT, Tallinn University, IDEG, GNAT, National Youth Authority and the media, for their support. She accentuated the conference's focus on empowering future generations through technology and sustainable practices. “We would also look at protecting natural resources, recognising all the galamsey issues around us,” she noted.
Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education
The ceremony was chaired by Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education, who commended the collaborative efforts the Dean, Director of the Annual New Year School and Conference, Heads of Departments, Lecturers and Partners in making the conference a reality. Reflecting on relevance of the theme, Prof. Codjoe remarked “the five Ps: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership, have been carefully selected to reflect the crucial role they play in the development of our dear country. This theme is timely, especially when only 17% of the UN Sustainable Development Goals targets have been achieved, according to the 2024 SDG Report.”
Dr. Evans Aggrey Darkoh, Guest Speaker
Dr. Evans Aggrey Darkoh, Head of the Civil Service and Guest Speaker for the ceremony, formally launched the conference. He outlined the conferences objectives, stating “the Annual New Year School and Conference provides an intellectual platform for diverse groups: academics, researchers and practitioners, to have dispassionate discussions on national issues and propose solutions to promote development. Our principal aim is to establish a service that is contemporary, agile and adaptable to the overwhelming demands of our complex world.”
Picture taken after the official launch
Notable contributions were made by key stakeholders. Mr. Amadu Moses Baman Snr., Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), reaffirmed GNAT's commitment as a longstanding partner of the conference and announced the establishment of an institute for research and industrial relations studies in the Ashanti Region.
Mr. Amadu Moses Baman Snr., Deputy General Secretary GNAT
Representing the youth in Ghana, Mr. Nelson Owusu-Ansah, Deputy CEO of the National Youth Authority, acknowledged the significance of youth inclusion in the ceremony. “On behalf of the approximately 40% of our population who are young people, we are pleased to partner in next year’s school and conference. We hope these collaborations will amplify our voices, mainstream our issues and integrate youth perspectives into strategic programmes and visions,” he remarked.
Mr. Nelson Owusu-Ansah, Deputy CEO, National Youth Authority
In his closing remarks, Professor Codjoe expressed gratitude to all the speakers for their insightful contributions. He highlighted their addresses as a collective affirmation of the conference’s critical role in promoting sustainable development through inclusive dialogue and partnerships. He also expressed confidence in the success of the 76th Annual New Year School and Conference, scheduled for January 2025.
A cross-section of audience