University of Ghana
Motto | Integri Procedamus[1] |
---|---|
Type | Public |
Established | 1948 |
Chairman | Yaw Twumasi |
Chancellor | Mary Chinery-Hesse |
Vice-Chancellor | Ebenezer Oduro Owusu[2] |
Students | 39,249 as at July 2016 |
Undergraduates | 33,703 |
Postgraduates | 5,546 |
Doctoral students | 652 |
Address | University of Ghana , P.O. Box LG 25 Legon, Ghana Accra , Greater Accra Region , Ghana 05°39′03″N 00°11′13″W / 5.65083°N 0.18694°W / 5.65083; -0.18694 |
Campus | Suburban area |
Colours | Midnight Blue, Lemon Yellow and Vegas Gold |
Nickname | Legon |
Affiliations | See below |
Website | www.ug.edu.gh |
The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest of the thirteen Ghanaian public universities. It was founded in 1948,[3] in the British colony of the Gold Coast, as the University College of the Gold Coast, and was originally an affiliate college of the University of London,[4] which supervised its academic programmes and awarded degrees. It gained full university status in 1961,[4] and now has nearly 40,000 students.
The original emphasis was on the liberal arts, social sciences, law, basic science, agriculture and medicine. However, as part of a national educational reform program, the university's curriculum was expanded to provide more technology-based and vocational courses as well as postgraduate training.
The university is mainly based at Legon, about 12 kilometres northeast of the centre of Accra. Its medical school is in Korle Bu, with a teaching hospital and secondary campus in the city of Accra. It also has a graduate school of nuclear and Allied Sciences at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, making it one of the few universities on the Africa continent offering programs in nuclear physics and nuclear engineering.
Contents
1 History
2 Academics
2.1 The Balme Library
2.2 College of Health Sciences
2.3 Collegiate system
2.4 Other faculties
2.5 Workers' colleges
2.6 Reputation
3 Research and learning centres
3.1 Kade Agricultural Research Station
4 Facilities
4.1 Halls of residence
4.2 Hostels
4.3 Bank, postal and other services
4.4 Roads usage and user charges
5 Notable alumni
6 In popular culture
7 References
8 External links
History
The formation of the West African Commission of the Asquith Commission on Higher Education in the Colonies[5] under the chairmanship of Rt. Hon. Walter Elliot was the birth of this notable institution in 1948. The commission recommended the setting up of university colleges in association with the University of London, thus the University College of the Gold Coast was founded by Ordinance on 11 August 1948 for the purpose of providing for and promoting university education, learning and research. This was made possible by the rejection of the first recommendation which stated that only one university college was feasible for the whole of British West Africa, which would be located in Nigeria by the people of Gold Coast led principally by Dr.J.B. Danquah.[5]
Academics
The Balme Library
The library is located on the main campus of the University.
College of Health Sciences
There are five school, and one research institute under this college.[6]
- School of Medicine and Dentistry
- School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences
- School of Nursing Located on the Legon campus though its students receive practical training at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Public Health
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research
- Centre for Tropical, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Collegiate system
Starting from the 2014/2015 academic year, the University of Ghana adopted the collegiate system[7] and thus categorised all schools and departments under four colleges, which are:
- College of Basic and Applied Sciences
- College of Humanities
- College of Education
- College of Health Sciences
Other faculties
There are six faculties outside the above colleges.
- Faculty of Arts British
- Faculty of Social Studies
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Law The Faculty of Law was first established as a department of the Faculty of Social Studies in the 1958/59 academic year and became a full-fledged faculty in the 1960/61 academic year. From the 2012/2013 academic year, the university will admit fresh SHS students into the LLB first-degree programme but will retain the post-first degree programme. Thus the university will have two entry means to the Faculty of Law.
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences
Workers' colleges
The university has these facilities in the various regions where it runs a variety of programmes, including degree courses.[8] Awudome College has residential facilities that enable short courses over weekends and other durations to be run there.
- Accra Workers' College, (now Accra City campus) Accra
- Awudome Residential Workers' College, Tsito
- Bolgatanga Workers' College, Bolgatanga
- Cape Coast Workers' College, Cape Coast
- Ho Workers' College, Ho
- Koforidua Workers' College, Koforidua
- Kumasi Workers' College, Kumasi
- Takoradi Workers' College, Sekondi-Takoradi
- Tamale Workers' College, Tamale
- Tema Workers' College, Tema
- Sunyani Workers' College, Sunyani
- Wa Workers' College, Wa
Reputation
University rankings | |
---|---|
Global | |
THE World[10] | 801-1000 |
QS World[9] | 801-1000 |
Regional | |
Times Africa[11] | 11 |
Special | |
THE Emerging Economies[12] | 182 |
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2018 ranks the University of Ghana at the 800-1000th place globally and 11th in Africa (rank shared with other universities).
Research and learning centres
- School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences
- Centre of Excellence for Global Environmental Change Research.
- Centre for Social Policy Analysis
- Centre for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System
- Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy
- Centre for Migration
- International Centre for African Music and Dance
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Centre for Biotechnology Research
- Centre for African Wetlands
- Language Centre
- West African Centre for Crop Improvement
- West African Centre for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens
- The United Nations University for Natural Resources in Africa
- Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy(CEGENSA)
- Regional Training Centre for Archivists
- Ecological laboratory
- Legon Botanical Gardens
- The Ghana Herbarium
- Centre for African Foods
- Centre for West African foods
- Centre for International foods
- Centre for Ghana foods
- African Regional Centre for training in postgraduate insect science
- Institute of African Studies
Kade Agricultural Research Station
Kade Agricultural Research Station, or Kade Agricultural Research Centre, is an agricultural research centre located at Kade, in the Eastern Region of Ghana is part of the University of Ghana Centres of Research and Learning.[13] It is one of the three agricultural research centres of Ghana's university. The centre at Kade was established in 1957. It covers an area of 99.3 hectares and is mainly concerned with research into production of forest zone crops such as citrus, plantain, cocoyam, oil palm and rubber, with a special interest in agronomy of perennial crop plants.
Delonix regia at UGASS
Making of Rubber
Rubbers hanged to dry
Kade Agricultural Research Center Entrance
Facilities
Halls of residence
Commonwealth Hall (the university's only male hall of residence)- Legon Hall
- Mensah Sarbah Hall
Volta Hall (the university's only female hall of residence)- Akuafo Hall
- Jubilee Hall
The university has eight newly created halls of residence that were commissioned in 2011. They are:
Alexander Kwapong Hall, named after Professor Alexander Kwapong a former Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of State.[14]
Jean Nelson Hall, named after an alumnus, Jean Nelson Aka. It was inaugurated in July. Its emblem shows a candle, a book and a pen to symbolize perseverance. It was designed by a final year Physics-Computer Science major student Raymond Sung-Seh Harrison. The motto of the hall, "Lux In Tenebris", which is Latin for "Light In Darkness", was suggested by Raymond's mate at the time, a lady by the name Muna Twerefour". The emblem was officially adopted on Tuesday, 2 April 2013.
Hilla Limann Hall, the first of the University of Ghana Enterprise Limited (UGEL) hostels to be completed. It was inaugurated in July 2010.[15] during which the Vice-Chancellor announced the decision to name it after Hilla Limann, a former President of the Republic of Ghana. Senior members of the University may be assigned as Fellows of the Hall by the Vice Chancellor. Students assigned/affiliated to the Hall form the Junior members. The Head of Hall, Senior Tutor and fellow tutors as a body helps with the governing of the Hall.
Elizabeth Sey Hall, the second of the newer halls built by University of Ghana Enterprise Limited (UGEL) Hostels to be completed. It was inaugurated in July 2010 and was named after the first female graduate of the university, Elizabeth Frances Baaba Sey.
Africa Union Hall, formerly called Pentagon, built by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)
James Topp Nelson Yankah Hall, formerly known as Teachers Fund (TF) Hostel.[16]
Bani Hall, initially a private hostel and later turned into a hall after the tenancy agreement with the University had elapsed.
Evandy Hall, formerly Evandy Hostel and this was turned into a hall after the tenancy agreement with the University elapsed and ownership transferred to University authorities,
Hostels
There are ten university hostels: the International Students' Hostels (I and II), the Valco Trust Hostel, The Commonwealth Hall, The Akuafo Hall, The Mensah Sarbah Hall, The Legon Hall, The Limann Hall, The Kwapong Hall, The Elizabeth Sey Hall and the Jean Aka Nelson hall. There are also private hostels, SSNIT Hostels (Ghana Hostels also known as Pentagon).[17]
Bank, postal and other services
Ghana Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays Bank, Cal Bank, HFC Bank, Access Bank, Stanbic Bank, Ecobank Ghana and Prudential Bank have branches on the Legon campus. There is a branch of the national postal service (Ghana Post) on campus. Other banks have ATMs on campus.
Roads usage and user charges
From 1 February 2014, all vehicles entering the University of Ghana's main campus, and also those using the road passing through the Staff Village of the University were required to pay charges. This was heavily criticized by public and students and has been suspended. Currently, various entry points into the campus require vehicle owners (typically staff and students) to obtain electronically scannable cards issued and authorised by the transport unit of the university.
Notable alumni
Anas Aremeyaw Anas – investigative journalist with Insight TWI: The World Investigates, CEO of Tiger Eye Private Investigations, Executive Director of The Crusading Guide
Patrick Kwateng Acheampong – Inspector General of Police of the Ghana Police Service (2005–09)
George Kingsley Acquah – Chief Justice of Ghana (2003–07).
Peter Ala Adjetey – former speaker of the Parliament of Ghana (2001–05).
Kwadwo Afari-Gyan – Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana
Mabel Agyemang née Banful (also Yamoa) - Appeal Court judge for the Commonwealth Secretariat, served in the judiciaries of the governments of Ghana, The Gambia and Swaziland.
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – President of Ghana (2017 to present)
Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur – Vice President of the Republic of Ghana 2012–17
K. Y. Amoako – former UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa.
Edward Doe Adjaho - Speaker of Parliament of Ghana (2013 to 2017)
Reverend Sam Korankye Ankrah – Apostle General of the Royalhouse Chapel International
Joyce Rosalind Aryee - Minister of Education (1985–1987), Member of the National Defence Council (1993-2001), received Second Highest State Award, the Companion of the Order of the Volta in 2006.
John Evans Atta Mills – former Law professor and Vice-President of Ghana (1997–2001), President of Ghana (2009–12).
Kofi Awoonor – Ghanaian poet and author whose work combined the poetic traditions of his native Ewe people and contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during decolonization
George Ayittey – economist, author, and president of the Free Africa Foundation, professor at American University, associate scholar at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
Elizabeth-Irene Baitie - award-winning writer of young adult fiction
Kwesi Botchwey – former law lecturer and finance minister of Ghana (1982–95).
Mohamed Ibn Chambas – Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States.
Phyllis Christian – lawyer, CEO of ShawbellConsulting
Kwesi Dickson – former President of Methodist Church Ghana.
Florence Dolphyne – first female Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana.
Kwabena Dufuor –former Finance Minister and former Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
Komla Dumor – television news presenter for the BBC World, presenting BBC World News and Africa Business Report. 2003 winner of Journalist of the Year award given by the Ghana Journalist Association.
Charles Odamtten Easmon – first Ghanaian surgeon and first Dean of University of Ghana Medical School.
Nana Effah-Apenteng – the Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations between May 2000 and 2007.
Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen - Chief Justice of Nigeria (2017- present)
Akin Euba - Nigerian composer, musicologist and pianist, Andrew Mellon Professor of Music at the University of Pittsburgh.
Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng – cardiothoracic surgeon and former Chief Executive officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, first black African to perform heart transplant and established the National Cardiothoracic Centre, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (2017–present)
Ken Kanda - diplomat, the Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations.
Akua Kuenyehia – Vice-President, International Criminal Court (2003–Date)
John Dramani Mahama – Vice-President of Ghana (2009–12) and President of Ghana (2012–17)
Vicki Miles-LaGrange (born 1953) – Chief U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Oklahoma, first African-American woman to be U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, and the first African-American female elected to the Oklahoma Senate.
Tawiah Modibo Ocran – Judge of the Supreme Court of Ghana (2004–08).
David Ofori-Adjei – elected to the Council of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology of the International Union of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology in 2000.
Aaron Mike Oquaye – former Minister of Communication (2005–09) and Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya (2005 to present), Speaker of Parliament (2017–present)
Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes - Speaker of Parliament of Ghana (7 January 2005 – 6 January 2009).
Elizabeth Frances Sey (1927–1991) first female graduate of the University College of the Gold Coast and pioneering woman educator. A residence hall on the campus is named in her honour.[18]
Tsatsu Tsikata – former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and Law lecturer at the University of Ghana.
Georgina Theodora Wood – first female Chief Justice of Ghana (since 2007).[19]
Grace Bediako - former head of Ghana Statistical Service
In popular culture
The university has appeared in several films and television advertisements. The television series Sun City has a lot of scenes of the university.
The name of the university has also been referenced in the lyrics of artists in Ghana, including Sarkodie's "Legon Girls", Buk Bak's "Klu blofo", Kwadei's "Wutatami" and Okordii's "Four years in Legon".[20]
References
^ "Visitors>Overview". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ "University of Ghana gets new Vice Chancellor; Prof. Ebenezer Owusu", Joy Online, 8 January 2016.
^ Kwabena Dei Ofori-Attah. "Expansion of Higher Education in Ghana: Moving Beyond Tradition". Comparative & International Education Newsletter: Number 142. CIES, Florida International University. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2007.
^ ab G. F. Daniel (17 April 1998). "THE UNIVERSITIES IN GHANA". Development of University Education in Ghana. University of Ghana. Archived from the original on 19 March 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2007.
^ ab "Establishment of The University", University of Ghana.
^ "Official Site of the College of Health Sciences". University of Ghana. Archived from the original on 8 December 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2007.
^ "University Of Ghana Adopts Collegiate System From 2014/2015 Academic Year", University of Ghana, 16 May 2014.
^ "About Us: Profile of the University". University of Ghana. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2007.
^ https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-ghana
^ https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-africa
^ https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-africa
^ https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2018/emerging-economies-university-rankings#survey-answer
^ "Research Centers". University of Ghana. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
^ "Legon Damns Coup Makers". Chronicle. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
^ University of Ghana, Upcoming Events. "Inauguration Ceremony: Students Residential Facilities". University of Ghana. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
^ "Teachers Fund Hostel Outdoored with new name", Vibe Ghana, 14 February 2013.
^ "Halls of Residence/Hostels". University of Ghana. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
^ "Legon Inaugurates New Hall Of Residence". Accra, Ghana: Modern Ghana. 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
^ "Notable Alumni". University of Ghana Alumni Association. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
^ "University of Ghana". General-books.net. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to University of Ghana. |
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- University of Ghana Alumni
Coordinates: 05°39′03″N 00°11′13″W / 5.65083°N 0.18694°W / 5.65083; -0.18694