KOFI ANNAN INSTALLED AS CHANCELLOR OF LEGON
BUSUMURU Kofi Annan, the immediate past Secretary-General of the United Nations, was yesterday sworn into office as the second non-Head of State Chancellor of the University of Ghana amidst pomp and pageantry.
He succeeds Oyeeman Wereko Ampem II who served as the first non-Head of State Chancellor of the university between 1999 and 2005.
President John Agyekum Kufuor who administered the oath of office to Mr Annan, declared: "Let me therefore urge the entire university community to conduct its affairs in a manner that will sustain the reputation and good name of Mr Kofi Annan which is a brand in itself."
The occasion, which was interspersed with traditional cultural displays and drum appellations, was also used to confer honorary degrees on 16 Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians for their respective roles and distinguished careers. The special congregation also marked the highlight of the 60th anniversary of Ghana's premier university.
The occasion drew a large gathering of people made up of the academia, ministers of state, traditional leaders, members of the Council of State, members of the Diplomatic Corps and friends of the university.
By 2:00 p.m., the Great Hall of the university was full to capacity.
Amidst the throbbing of 'fontonfrom' drums the academic procession made up of university dons, was ushered in followed later by the University Council procession including President Kufuor and Mr Annan.
Earlier, Professor Evans Atta Mills, the flag-bearer of the National Democratic Congress, had taken his seat at the front row and was joined later by Nana Akufo-Addo, the flag-bearer of the New Patriotic Party and his entourage.
After the chairman of University Council, Tony Oteng-Gyasi, declared the special congregation opened, followed by a statement by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, the stage was set for the investiture.
Prof Tagoe and Mr Oteng-Gyasi decorated Mr Annan with a beautifully designed academic gown with a strip woven around it in traditional colours.
This was greeted with loud applause amidst drum appellation.
President Kufuor said the university has conferred the honour on a truly deserving son of the land, adding, "the accolade conferred on you today can therefore be considered as a justifiable acknowledgement of your services to mankind," apparently referring to his distinguished career in the United Nations.
Describing Mr Annan as a legendary figure, he said "this should make him an exemplary role model for the youth anywhere in the world to emulate."
President Kufuor on behalf of the government pledged a 60th birthday present of GH¢60 million to the university to be disbursed in instalments of GH¢6 million every year for the next 10 years.
He suggested that one quarter of the grant should be used to endow a chair for the study of Responsible, Democratic Governance as a necessary basis for sound economic and social development.
President Kufuor said the balance of the grant should be shared, with a further quarter to support the general budget of the university and the remaining half for the establishment of an institute for the study of Environment and Sanitation Sciences.
The President said over the past 60 years, the university had endured many challenges, including improvident planning and inadequate funding with relative success in the services of the nation.
"Thankfully, over the past six years, it is bouncing back to recapture the vision and purpose for its establishment, including grooming of leadership and supply of critical manpower for the nation's social and economic development," he said.
President Kufuor commended the distinguished personalities for their individual achievement that earned them the honorary degrees.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Kofi Annan said: "I am happy to stand here today in the country of my birth as the Chancellor of this university."
He noted that the University of Ghana has trained thousands of people in the country and urged the entire country to take education for seriously since that is the cornerstone of every nation.
He recalled the political history of Ghana and said Ghana was full of hope at independence but military interventions, among other things, had retarded the country's wheel of progress.
Mr Annan therefore stressed the need for Ghanaians to ensure the consolidation of democracy by promoting free, fair and peaceful elections in December this year.
He said leaders of the various political parties should use moderate language in their campaigns, while the Electoral Commission should be independent and play by the rules of the game without fear or favour.
Those who were awarded honorary degrees included Prof. Lawrence A. Boadi, English Scholar, Dr Gordon R. Woodman, a lawyer and researcher and Selena Axelrod Winsues, a historian, Raymond Bagulo Bening, first Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies for his contribution to tertiary education and Kwabena Adjei a renowned entrepreneur for his contribution to industry.
Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, president of the ECOWAS, Commission and Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, were honoured as alumuni of the University of Ghana.
Others were, Mr Joseph Herry Mensah, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Robert Lee, an African American dentist who settled in Ghana; the late Peter Ala Adjetey, former Speaker of Parliament, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, National Chief Imam and Docia Naki Kisseh, first Ghanaian Chief Nursing Officer.
Former World Bank president James D Wolfensohn, former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, and British politician Paul Yaw Boateng were awarded honours as Aggrey-Fraiser-Guggisberg Memorial lecturers.