The Catholic University of Ghana, Fiapre in the Bono Region has graduated 399 Masters Students and 844 undergraduate students in various faculties.
The School has six Faculties; Economics and Business Administration, Education, Religious and Social Sciences, Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Public Health and Allied sciences, and Nursing and Midwifery.
This celebration took place on the School’s Quadrangle on October 26, 2024 and brought dignitaries from various walks of life, featured a number of activities such as speeches, presentation of Academics and other special awards to graduands, Alumni Induction, and Administration of Matriculation oaths.
Sir Prof Daniel Obeng-Ofori, Vice-Chancellor of Catholic University of Ghana in his welcome address, congratulated all graduating Students at this 23rd Congregation and said that, they have worked hard to achieve their goals and now they are on their way to seek new dreams, embark on a professional journey.
He asked them to embrace life with passion and keep reaching for their goals. Chasing a dream requires efforts, passion and hard work, saying “This graduation ceremony is the final but certainly not the last event of your academic life with the Catholic University of Ghana.”
“It is the best moment and you have every right to celebrate,” he added.
Again he said Universities are institutions that impart knowledge and skills and but more essentially, the Catholic University’s aim is to build on the reputation of the Church as a provider of holistic quality higher education, establish a home of academic and technical excellence, provide holistic education and training, instill discipline and moral excellence in our students.
These, he noted they had done successfully.
Also, he welcomed all the newly admitted students and congratulated them on their matriculation into their prestigious University. Matriculation is a significant occasion as they begin a relatively new academic journey in their life.
He told them that the campus experience they had indistinctly imagined had started already and entreated them to cherish the excitement, and the adventures of academic life.
The Vice Chancellor noted that Universities were centers of higher education, a world of its own where you live and study in academic freedom.
However, he indicated that there were countless challenges ahead of them, saying, “In these times of uncertainty and economic crisis, the role of Universities has become even more relevant.”
According to Sir Prof. Obeng-Ofori, the Catholic University would help the new students to achieve their dreams to pursue a higher education, hence urged them to break out of their comfort zones, learn as much as they can, be proactive, ask questions and participate in both academic and social activities whilst in the school.
He also acknowledged the contribution of all the diverse stakeholders in nurturing the University from its formative years to its present state as a charted institution.
He recognized the work of the planning Committee and expressed his appreciation to them for the hard work done.
The Most Rev. Joseph Kwaku Afrifah-Agyekum, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua and Chairman of the Governing Council said “Graduation day is a day of celebration as it recalls all the sacrifices you have made, the challenges and struggles you went through, not forgetting even the failures and near despair in some instances. All these put together, have made this day a great and beautiful one for you all.”
He urged the graduands not to focus only on what they are receiving today but more importantly on the positive impact their education will have on humanity and their contribution in helping build a better society.
He encouraged them to remember always that it is not so much how many PHD’s, Masters or First classes you have that matter, but how with these you will be able to translate them into assisting with the positive growth of humanity and society at large.
He assured them that the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) is very happy and ensures that Catholic University of Ghana sets a high academic standard for all her students and herself.
According to him, the GCBC is making a positive impact in education delivery not only in Ghana but also beyond the boundaries of the country.
He charged the students to continue to pursue their dreams aspirations, and urged them to apply their acquired knowledge generously, adding, “Be witnesses of Christ’s love and truth, not of fake news but beacons of hope and unity in our society.
In the Valedictory speech, Sr. Belinda Bawa, a Sister of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, the former SRC Vice President, the overall best student of the 23rd Graduation, expressed her thanksgiving to the Almighty God for his unfathomable love throughout their four years journey 2020 to 2024.
She said their journey was like the rose flower beautiful but not without faults don’ts sugarcoats sustained and granted the guidance to take each day at a time the wisdom to see through the strength to do what ought to be done.
She again expressed her gratitude to the Catholic University Management Board, teaching and non- teaching Staff along the top lengths the Dean of Students, School Representative Council (SRC) executives and the entire student body.
“We remain forever grateful to our Reverend Fathers who have been fathers in the name and indeed parents for your fatherly guidance and availability to nourish our souls daily we profoundly thank you,” she stated.
She further thanked for her biological and spiritual family, African Sisters of Education Collaboration and friends for their unconditional love, support and help and to her fellow graduands, she said congratulation to them for the achievement.
Dignitaries present at the occasion were the Most Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops, the Most Rev. Dominic Yeboah Nyarko, Bishop of Techiman Diocese; Professor Kwasi Obiri Darko, Council Member of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; Professor Elvis Asare Bediako, Council Member of University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani; Rev. Fr. Prof. Peter Nkrumah Amponsah, Pro vice-chancellor; Mr. Emmanuel K. Kaba, the Registrar; Mr. Paul Kwame Yeboah, Finance Officer, Mr. Augustine Barnie Internal Auditor all of CUG. Others were military personals, some staffs, parents, friends and well wishes.
The ceremony was dissolved by Bishop Afrifah-Agyekum who thanked the management and the organizers for the good work done.
By Sr. Rebecca Asante, SVI
