The College of Education hosted its maiden “Pen Ceremony” to honour and recognise the achievements of four faculty members who have been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. The ceremony aimed to inspire academic excellence, encourage research and motivate students to consider careers in academia.
The honourees in a group picture
The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of Prof. Isaac Kofi Biney, Head of UG Learning Centres; Prof. Inusah Salifu, Head, Department of Adult Education; Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Head, Department of Communication Studies and Prof. Boadi Agyekum, Acting Principal, University of Ghana Kumasi City Campus. They were all promoted to the rank of Associate Professor between 1st August, 2022 and 31st July, 2024.
Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education
In his welcome remarks, Provost of the College, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, commended the honourees for their contributions to research, teaching and community engagement. He explained that the idea for the ceremony arose from his concern about the limited number of senior faculty members at the professorial level when he assumed office. "I recognised the need for motivational structures that would encourage academic staff to aspire to professorship. We have implemented several initiatives to address this, and today we are here to celebrate those who have achieved academic excellence through our efforts" he stated.
Prof. Codjoe highlighted several initiatives currently underway at the College, including the establishment of a research seminar series, the creation of the Legon Centre for Educational Research and Policy, expanding the pool of research fellows and institutionalising writeshops and retreats. He added that the College has been supporting a biennial Research Conference and encouraging departmental-level seminars and conferences.
Emerita Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf
The event was chaired by Emerita Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, Chairperson of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), who commended the Provost and organisers for the ceremony, the first of its kind at the University of Ghana.
She emphasised the symbolic significance of the pen in academia, representing the importance of writing, research and the advancement of knowledge. "This ceremony not only celebrates the mandate of the College but also brings to attention our responsibility to empower current and future generations," she said.
Emerita Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf presenting the customised to Professor Isaac Kofi Biney
Emerita Prof. Ardayfio-Schandorf also commended the honourees for their contributions and encouraged them to continue inspiring their colleagues and mentoring the next generation of scholars. "As you progress in your academic careers, I urge you not to become complacent, for the ultimate goal lies ahead," she added.
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro VC RID, presenting the customised pen to Prof. Inusah Salifu
Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Research, Innovation and Development, delivered the keynote address, congratulating the College on introducing the "Pen Ceremony". He challenged other Colleges to organise similar events.
Mad. Doreen Hammond, a member of the College Advisory Board, presenting the customised pen to Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin
He stressed the importance of mentorship, urging the honourees to support and guide their junior colleagues. "Mentorship is key to educational success," he remarked.
Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, presenting the customised pen to Prof. Boadi Agyekum
Prof. Asante also used the platform to discuss the University's strategic vision for research and innovation. According to him, the newly established Research and Innovation Directorate aims to streamline the process and provide support for faculty members, particularly early-career researchers.
He added that to support the implementation of this strategy, the University has allocated significant funding to faculty research initiatives. The Pro Vice-Chancellor highlighted the various grant programmes available, including seed funding for early-career researchers and larger grants for more established faculty members.
Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, representative of the honourees, delivering the appreciation remarks
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Prof. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin expressed deep gratitude to the University's leadership, especially the Provost, for recognising their achievements and providing a platform to celebrate their success. She also acknowledged the support of family members and others who contributed to their journey. "We are grateful to those who care for our children and to family members who supported us financially and in other ways to bring us to where we are today," she said.
Prof. Yeboah-Banin also acknowledged the importance of mentorship and the responsibility to support the next generation of educators. "If each of us mentors six more people, perhaps in a few years, we will have 24 more individuals here. The standards will not drop because we will guide and support them," she pledged.
The honourees received citations and plaques presented by Prof. Joseph Atsu Aryee of the Department of Political Science, as well as laptop computers presented by Mr. Michael Leslie Bartlett-Vanderpuye, an Advisory Board member, on behalf of the Chairman of the College Advisory Board. Professors in the College also took turns in handing out pens to the honourees and congratulating them.
The event, which began with an opening prayer by Rev. John Nkum, from the Ghana Baptist Convention and COE Advisory Board Member, included several performances by the Ghana Dance Ensemble and the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir. The reading of the honouree’s citations were interspersed with Seprewa appellations.
Moderated by Ms. Pascaline Songsore, Senior Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate, the event was attended by Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, Registrar; Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER; Dr. Elizier Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director of Public Affairs; Mrs. Bernice Agudu, Director of Finance; members of the College Advisory Board, faculty members, staff and students of the College.