Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)
Frank Mensah
2 November 2009
Kumasi — PROFESSOR EMMANUEL Addo Obeng, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, has stated that in order for the nation to development effectively, there is the need for it to extricate immorality from the body politic of its people.
According to him, the country needs an educational system that encourages individuals to assert their intellectual curiosity, while at the same time promoting good moral behaviour in their daily lives.
He mentioned that the need was much more pressing now than before, because of recent developments in the country, most significantly the divisive politics that have polarised the populace, between the two major political parties in the country, namely the (National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Prof. Obeng, who was speaking at the 34th Matriculation ceremony of the Christian Service University College (CSUC) under the theme: "The making of an Ambassador," in Kumasi over the weekend, did not comprehend why "every comment, statement, activity, decision is given a political spin, depending on the political inclination of the person, and suggested that it should be exterminated for a "better Ghana".
He was confident that after the end of their programmes at the University College, the students might have been trained to be critical thinkers, analytical, proactive, and open-minded and disciplined to be "ambassadors".
"The University College expects to have inculcated in you, the virtues of honesty, patience, kindness and love for one's neighbour, tolerance, endurance, sacrificial spirit and, above all, a passion for the word of God. The making of an ambassador takes a lot of training and study," he emphasised. He also urged the students to be disciplined, in order for them to achieve success in their endeavours.
According to him, discipline on university campuses, ensures stability of the academic calendar, creates peaceful ambience for serious academic engagement, enables close working relationship between students and workers, as well as allowing peak performance from both staff and students.
He therefore urged the matriculated students to study the rules and regulations that had been provided for them, and apply them diligently, since the University College does not compromise on indiscipline.
Prof. Obeng also asked the students to study seriously, since the purpose of education was "the total development of the individual, developing the mind (head), heart (emotions) and hands (practical skills)."
Explaining further, he stated that to train the head, refers to the intellectual development of the individual, so that he or she could think independently, critically, analytically and be capable of making informed decisions, whereas training the heart refers to the promotion of good moral behaviour in the daily lives of the individual.
"To train the hand, implies equipping individuals with practical and technological skills that enable one to make a living in the modern and technological world," he noted.
Professor Emmanuel Frempong, President of the institution, on his part, revealed that the University College currently runs programmes in four departments, which he gave as Department of Computer Science, Communication Studies, Business Studies and Theology.
He also disclosed that out of 1,225 qualified applicants, 1,091 were admitted into the university college, representing 23% of the number of applicants seeking access to education through the CSUC.
Prof. Frempong reminded the students that having sworn the matriculation oath, they had officially become students of CSUC, and should abide by the rules and regulations of the university, since the institution does not tolerate indiscipline on the campus.
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