Why Every Graduate Deserves a Handshake

Graduation day is one of the proudest moments in a student’s life. Families travel from far and near, sometimes sacrificing their little savings, just to watch their loved ones walk across the stage. For many, it is a dream come true to be the first graduate in a family or even in a whole village.

But at most university graduations in Ghana, something happens that takes away from this joy. The Vice Chancellor, council members, and guest speakers usually get up to shake the hands of only First Class students. After that, they sit down. The rest (Second Class, Third Class, and Pass students) simply walk by without the same recognition.

This tradition, in my view, is unfair. It sends a message that only the First Class students deserve to be celebrated, while the others did not put in effort. But that is not true. Every student who crosses that stage has worked hard in their own way. Some battled with financial struggles, health challenges, or family responsibilities, yet made it through. That is a big achievement and deserves celebration.

A handshake is a small act, but it carries a big meaning. It says, “We see you. We value your effort. You belong here.” Why should this recognition be reserved for a few? Who knows? The graduate with a Pass today may become the employer of the First Class graduate tomorrow. Life has shown us that success is not written only in grades.

This thought comes from my very critical thinking self, shaped by years of questioning unfair traditions. I was once an SRC president, and today I serve as the Head of the Public Relations Department at one of Ghana’s specialised public universities, the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) and doubles as President-elect of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), UniMAC branch. These roles have deepened my conviction that our academic spaces must be made fairer and more humane. As an academic who has taught in higher education for over nine years, I have seen the struggles of students firsthand. And yes, I was once a First Class student myself. But that does not mean I should ignore the efforts of others.

We cannot continue with traditions that divide our graduates into the “worthy” and the “less worthy.” The university must be a place of inclusion, where every single graduate is celebrated equally. To shake the hand of one and not the other is to say that some lives matter more. That cannot be the message we send.

The time has come for change. Universities in Ghana must rise above these outdated rituals and embrace fairness. Let us extend the handshake to all, not just the few. Let every graduate leave with the pride that their effort, no matter the grade, was fully acknowledged.

Graduation should not reinforce inequality. It should unite us. And until every graduate is given that handshake, our ceremonies will remain incomplete.

The writer is Dr Noel Nutsugah, who is a lecturer and the Head of the Public Relations Department at one of Ghana’s specialised public universities, the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) and doubles as President-elect of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), UniMAC branch.

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