The College of Education, University of Ghana, has celebrated the academic achievements of eight of its faculty members who have attained the rank of Associate Professor at its third Pen Ceremony.

Honourees receive their customised pens at the College of Education’s 3rd Pen Ceremony

Held at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, the ceremony brought together senior University management, faculty, staff, students, family members and to celebrate the academic achievements of the honourees and to reflect on the responsibilities that come with advancing in the academic profession.

Honourees receive their two additional elegant pens as part of the honours at the College of Education’s 3rd Pen Ceremony.

The eight honourees are Prof. Usman Kojo Abonyi, Prof. Linda Tsevi, Prof. Patience Emefa Dzandza Ocloo, Prof. Monica Mensah Danquah, Prof. Samuel Howard Quartey, Rev. Sr. Prof. Florence Christianah Awoniyi, Prof. De-Graft Johnson Dei and Prof. Samuel Nuamah Eshun.

Prof. Peter Quartey, Provost of the College of Education, delivering the welcome remarks

Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Peter Quartey, described the Pen Ceremony as a celebration of scholarship and an affirmation of the contribution of academics to knowledge creation.

He explained that the ceremony, introduced in 2024 under his predecessor, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, was inspired by the film A Beautiful Mind, in which mathematician and Nobel laureate John Forbes Nash is presented with pens by his colleagues as a mark of scholarly recognition.

“The pen is much more than a writing instrument,” Prof. Quartey said. “It represents ideas, research, scholarship, and knowledge creation through writing.”

He noted that the ceremony had grown from four honourees at its maiden edition, to six at the second edition and eight at the third, describing the progression as a reflection of the College’s growing culture of research, scholarship, innovation and grants management.

Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development and Chairman for the ceremony

Chairing the ceremony, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, congratulated the honourees and described their promotion to Associate Professor as the beginning of what could be their “most influential academic journey.”

Prof. Codjoe also disclosed that the Pen Ceremony initiative would be replicated across the University of Ghana, following his earlier announcement of the initiative’s expansion during his inaugural lecture.

His remarks underscored the broader significance of the ceremony as an institutional platform for recognising academic achievement while encouraging a sustained commitment to research and scholarship.

Prof. Anna Lartey, delivery the keynote address

Delivering the keynote address, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Anna Lartey, former Director of Nutrition and Food Systems at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, challenged the new Associate Professors to approach their new positions with purpose and a strong sense of responsibility.

She offered seven key pieces of advice: define a personal academic legacy; build coherent research themes rather than a collection of disconnected publications; mentor and elevate students; pursue research funding collaboratively; develop leadership and people-management skills; protect one’s reputation and integrity; and safeguard personal wellbeing, family life and time.

Honourees sign the Pen Ceremony Register, capturing a memorable moment in their academic journey.

Drawing on a recent profile of Prof. Codjoe published in The Mirror on 25th July, 2026, Prof. Lartey further encouraged the honourees to remain adaptable when funding opportunities in their research areas change. She cited the redirection of research towards related but fundable areas, including environmental sustainability and climate change, as an example of how academics can respond to emerging opportunities.

Honourees receive their citations in recognition of their academic achievements at the 3rd Pen Ceremony

She urged the honourees to ensure that their work and conduct remain worthy of the recognition represented by the pen. “Your pen must speak with authority, with integrity, with truth and with respect,” she said.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Codjoe expressed appreciation to Prof. Lartey for what he described as an inspirational address and commended Prof. Quartey for sustaining the Pen Ceremony tradition introduced during his tenure as Provost.

Reflecting on the continuation of the initiative, he noted that the success of an institutional idea ultimately depends on the commitment of those who carry it forward.

Honourees receive laptops in recognition of their academic achievements at the College of Education’s 3rd Pen Ceremony

“This shows that you can have a leader that is very passionate about something,” he said, “but it is how the people he leads respond to some of the ideas he has that brings all this to fruition.”

The ceremony, held in line with Priorities Two and Three of the University of Ghana’s Strategic Plan, focusing on impactful research and commitment to faculty and staff, concluded with the presentation of symbolic pens, citations and laptop computers to the honourees.

The celebration also featured a video montage, musical interludes by Prof. Alfred Patrick Addaquay of the Department of Music and a performance by the Ghana Dance Ensemble, bringing an evening of scholarly recognition and celebration to a close.