On 9th January, 2023, a team from the College of Education led by the Provost, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, and accompanied by Ms. Dorinda Nbinmah Yeboah (Assistant Registrar) and Mr. Prince Blay Boateng (Administrative Assistant) paid a working visit to the Tamale Learning Centre in the Northern Region. The visit provided an opportunity for the Provost to interact with the staff, familiarise himself with the operations at the Learning Centre and identify ways by which services at the Learning Centre could be improved as well as explore alternatives for increased revenue generation.
Provost and his team with the staff of the Learning Centre
The team was warmly received by the management and staff of the Centre. In his welcome address, the Head/Coordinator of the Tamale Centre, Dr. Moses Namoog, expressed his excitement and that of his staff at receiving the Provost and his team at the centre. He informed the team about some successes the centre had chalked in improving access to tertiary education in the region and was hopeful that more initiatives would be adopted to improve students’ experience.
Dr. Nammog having an interaction with the Provost and his team in his office
Dr Namoog, led the team to inspect the facilities, including the Computer Laboratory, Video Conference Room, Smart Classroom, Server room and one of the Centre’s Bungalows.
Dr. Namoog taking the Team round the Centre
During the visit, an interaction was held to engage the staff of the Centre. In his initial submission, Prof. Codjoe officially introduced himself as the Provost of the College of Education to staff of the centre and gave a presentation of his vision for the College that spans from 2022 to 2025. He indicated that his main agenda is to spearhead research in the College by providing the needed resources and creating the enabling environment for faculty to conduct research and solicit international funding for their projects. He was concerned that whilst there were a lot of research opportunities to be tapped into, the research component in the College was quite low. According to him, this will drive the growth and development of the College.
The Provost engaging staff of the Tamale Learning Centre
The Provost also used the occasion to source inputs from staff on how to improve their welfare and students’ experience and assured them that measures will be put in place to achieve these initiatives.
Staff at the Learning seated during the interaction section
Staff present at the meeting also enumerated a number of challenges that affected their work at the centre. These challenges include inadequate security uniforms, old/rickety vehicle, irregular flow water, inadequate administrative staff, delays in overtime payments and delays in procurement processes. Members also disclosed that despite the issues at the Learning Centre, they have had some successes such as: good facilities, thriving DBS
In response to the comments, the Provost commended the management and staff for their successes and assured them that measures would be put in place to mitigate some of their challenges where possible and refer the rest to the appropriate officers.
After the interaction session, the management of the Centre presented a smock to the Provost on behalf of the Centre. The Provost expressed his appreciation for the gift and thanked them for their thoughtfulness.
Staff presenting the Smock to the Provost
The Provost and his team been shown around the Centre by Dr. Namoog and his team
To crown the visit, the Provost hosted the management and staff of the Centre to a dinner which was interspersed with music and dance.
A group picture of the team with staff of the Tamale Learning Centre having dinner
The visit to the Tamale Learning Centre was productive and provided the team and staff of the Centre with the occasion to brainstorm on avenues for delivering the quality education the University of Ghana provides to the doorsteps of the people while satisfying their educational needs.