FIVE hundred and ninety-four agro chemical dealers and seed producers have undergone training in agro-chemical application and service delivery in Kumasi.
The training workshop was organised by the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Department (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Chemical Control and Management Centre, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Each of the 594 agro chemical dealers and seed producers was given a certificate of participation.
The certification ceremony which was co-sponsored by the International Centre for Soil Fertility and Agriculture Development (IFDC) and held at Ejisu at the weekend, also provided evidence of authenticity, affirming the competence and recognition of the agro-chemical dealers in the application of their products and efficient service delivery to farmers.
The expectation is that they will not serve farmers with agro-chemicals that pose undue risk to human health and the environment, and also adhere to laid-down regulations on the applications of their products to facilitate increased agricultural production and income generation for farmers.
In his address, the IFDC representative in Ghana, Dr Kofi Debrah, said the capacity building programme for the agro-chemical dealers had facilitated the formation of the Ghana Agro-Input Dealer Association (GAIDA) to differentiate them from those who had not acquired any form of training.
He said to enhance the supply of quality products, the Ghana Agribusiness Associations Business Information Centre (GAABIC) had also been formed as a consortium and a one-stop centre for GAIDA.
Dr Debrah said as part of their efforts to sustain the capacity building for agro-chemical distributors, the IFDC had also received funds from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
The financial support, he said, would also ensure that GAABIC is strengthened to become a unique and home-grown company that would continue to provide valuable services to the agricultural associations in a sustainable manner.
He said in less than a year that the Ghana Agro-Dealers Development (GADD) Project started, it had been influential in getting the Seed and Fertiliser Bill to the stage of being passed.
He said it had also mapped out the locations and sales points of products, thereby enhancing their distribution and accessibility to farmers.
He advised the agro-chemical dealers to use their newly acquired skills to provide quality service to farmers and also collaborate with them to “ smoke out fake agro-dealers from your midst”, stressing that,
“You need to set good examples through your activities as true professionals for others to follow”.
Speaking on the importance of the certification, the Pesticides Registrar of the EPA, Mr John Pwamang, said it provided evidence that the holder “has the necessary facilities and processes in place to deal in quality agro-products and services”.
“It also indicates that the operation of the dealer does not pose undue risks to human health and the environment”, he added and stressed that training should be undertaken on a regular basis and not to be considered as a one-off event.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
GERMAN MEDICAL TEAM OPERATES ON 54 PATIENTS (PAGE 29, NOV 11)
A Team of surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses from Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Camp (RPSC) in Rotenburg, Germany, has operated on 54 patients to remove their tumours and correct facial deformities of others.
Thirty-two of the surgical operations which lasted for a week were performed at the Tamale Regional Hospital, while 22 operations were also performed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The surgeries, which were performed free of charge, were through the initiatives of a German-based Ghanaian anaesthetists, Dr Jacob Fofie Siaw, who was part of the team.
Other members of the team were Dr Christian Schippers, a surgeon, who was the leader of the team, Dr Alexander Rudolf, another surgeon, Dr Michael Paland, and anaesthetist, Dr Casten Schrieber, also an anaesthetist, Ms Baebel Ulbricht, a nurse, Ms Yohanna Schippers, a student and Ms Andrea Martin, a nurse anaesthetist.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview after operating on a-34-year-old woman with a tumour at the KATH, Dr Fofie Siaw said the team had been visiting developing countries to perform special services for children and adults who had facial defects and head tumours.
Dr Fofie Siaw said, "Many of the beneficiaries had lot of swellings on their faces, with others having problems with their jaws, making it impossible for them to open their mouth properly”.
He said “one of the patients had not been able to open her jaws for the past 25 year, because both the upper and the lower bones of the jaws were completely fused together, but now, she can do everything after the surgery".
He said each of the patients would have paid between GH¢400 and GH¢1,500, depending on the their conditions, explaining that some of the tumours were so big that it took them over six hours to remove them.
He said apart from the free surgical operation, they also provided the patients with drugs and offered some medical supplies to the KATH and Tamale hospitals.
Thirty-two of the surgical operations which lasted for a week were performed at the Tamale Regional Hospital, while 22 operations were also performed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.
The surgeries, which were performed free of charge, were through the initiatives of a German-based Ghanaian anaesthetists, Dr Jacob Fofie Siaw, who was part of the team.
Other members of the team were Dr Christian Schippers, a surgeon, who was the leader of the team, Dr Alexander Rudolf, another surgeon, Dr Michael Paland, and anaesthetist, Dr Casten Schrieber, also an anaesthetist, Ms Baebel Ulbricht, a nurse, Ms Yohanna Schippers, a student and Ms Andrea Martin, a nurse anaesthetist.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview after operating on a-34-year-old woman with a tumour at the KATH, Dr Fofie Siaw said the team had been visiting developing countries to perform special services for children and adults who had facial defects and head tumours.
Dr Fofie Siaw said, "Many of the beneficiaries had lot of swellings on their faces, with others having problems with their jaws, making it impossible for them to open their mouth properly”.
He said “one of the patients had not been able to open her jaws for the past 25 year, because both the upper and the lower bones of the jaws were completely fused together, but now, she can do everything after the surgery".
He said each of the patients would have paid between GH¢400 and GH¢1,500, depending on the their conditions, explaining that some of the tumours were so big that it took them over six hours to remove them.
He said apart from the free surgical operation, they also provided the patients with drugs and offered some medical supplies to the KATH and Tamale hospitals.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
NO RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION (SPREAD, NOV 7)
THE government has given the assurance that it will not leave out members of any religious denomination in its quest to revamp the national economy.
According to President J. E. A. Mills, since no religious denomination could lay absolute claim to wisdom and scholarship, it was incumbent on the government to pool ideas from these backgrounds to breath life into the economy and improve the lot of the people.
President Mills, who made these remarks at a durbar organised by the chiefs and people of Asawase Constituency in Kumasi, pointed out that the various religious denominations had members endowed with some of the finest brains in the country.
The interaction with the chiefs and people of Asawase formed part of the President Mills’s visit to the Ashanti Region where he was expected to thank the people for voting for the National Democratic Congress.
President Mills explained government policies and programmes, as well as learnt at first-hand problems confronting the people.
According to the President, the government would accord equal opportunities of development to the people irrespective of their religious backgrounds, since the nation needed the collective efforts of its citizens to restructure the various sectors.
He said paying equal attention to the expectations of people from diverse religious faiths was the duty of every responsible government which was committed to engaging its citizens in national reconstruction and development.
President Mills said the government would continue to promote religious harmony and tolerance, which were needed to ensure the full participation of the entire citizenry in nation building.
He briefed the people on the state of the national economy the government inherited from the previous administration, describing it as distorted and full of contradictions.
President Mills, however, assured the gathering that the government had taken the necessary measures to arrest the decline of the economy and inject sanity into all critical sectors of society.
He asked the people to exercise restrained whilst the government continued to take the appropriate interventions which would stabilise the economy and provide opportunities of employment for the people, especially the youth.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, expressed confidence in the Mills administration to tackle the various problems plaguing society and restore confidence in the economy.
Alhaji Muntaka also assured the people of the government’s commitment to provide them with facilities which would open up the economy of the area, as well as improve their quality of life.
A representative of the Sarkin of the area thanked the government for the arrangements put in place especially at the Kotoka International Airport to ensure a successful Hajj.
According to President J. E. A. Mills, since no religious denomination could lay absolute claim to wisdom and scholarship, it was incumbent on the government to pool ideas from these backgrounds to breath life into the economy and improve the lot of the people.
President Mills, who made these remarks at a durbar organised by the chiefs and people of Asawase Constituency in Kumasi, pointed out that the various religious denominations had members endowed with some of the finest brains in the country.
The interaction with the chiefs and people of Asawase formed part of the President Mills’s visit to the Ashanti Region where he was expected to thank the people for voting for the National Democratic Congress.
President Mills explained government policies and programmes, as well as learnt at first-hand problems confronting the people.
According to the President, the government would accord equal opportunities of development to the people irrespective of their religious backgrounds, since the nation needed the collective efforts of its citizens to restructure the various sectors.
He said paying equal attention to the expectations of people from diverse religious faiths was the duty of every responsible government which was committed to engaging its citizens in national reconstruction and development.
President Mills said the government would continue to promote religious harmony and tolerance, which were needed to ensure the full participation of the entire citizenry in nation building.
He briefed the people on the state of the national economy the government inherited from the previous administration, describing it as distorted and full of contradictions.
President Mills, however, assured the gathering that the government had taken the necessary measures to arrest the decline of the economy and inject sanity into all critical sectors of society.
He asked the people to exercise restrained whilst the government continued to take the appropriate interventions which would stabilise the economy and provide opportunities of employment for the people, especially the youth.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, expressed confidence in the Mills administration to tackle the various problems plaguing society and restore confidence in the economy.
Alhaji Muntaka also assured the people of the government’s commitment to provide them with facilities which would open up the economy of the area, as well as improve their quality of life.
A representative of the Sarkin of the area thanked the government for the arrangements put in place especially at the Kotoka International Airport to ensure a successful Hajj.
Friday, November 6, 2009
WE'LL ENSURE FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES - Says Prez Mills (SPREAD)
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday began a four-day working tour of the Ashanti Region with a pledge that the distribution of the nation’s resources would not be influenced by any partisan considerations, saying he would harness both the human and natural resources of the nation for effective and efficient development.
He explained that the country’s resources were a collective contribution of the people, for which his government was duty-bound to ensure its equitable distribution.
President Mills made the remarks during a durbar organised in his honour at the Manhyia Palace.
The visit, which was meant to thank the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in particular and the chiefs and people of Ashanti in general for their support during the 2008 electioneering, was also meant to solicit their support for the President’s four-year term in office.
President Mills, who was full of gratitude for the Asantehene for organising the grand durbar in his honour, noted, “The time has come for all Ghanaians to put their political affiliations aside and unite to ensure the effective and efficient development of the country.”
Expressing concern over the rancour and bitterness associated with a section of the populace, he said such an attitude undermined the peace and tranquillity in the country.
He pointed out that “it is important for people to respect the elderly and those in responsible positions”, stressing that “it is equally important for the present generation to leave a legacy that will be cherished by the next generation”.
He promised to initiate policies and programmes that would accelerate sustainable national development, saying, “I was elected to serve the people and not to lord it over them.”
President Mills told the chiefs and people that he would facilitate the revival of both the Jute and Shoe factories in Kumasi as a way of providing employment for the youth.
That, he said, would please Otumfuo Osei Tutu, whose desire was to support initiatives that would reduce problems associated with unemployment among the youth.
The President urged Ghanaians to be committed to the nation’s development, just as the players of the Black Satellites did in Egypt recently by conquering the world.
He said with the commitment of all Ghanaians, coupled with good governance and stability, the country would soon achieve accelerated development.
He paid tribute to past governments for bringing the country to this level and promised to play his part to facilitate national development.
Commending President Mills for his formal visit to the region, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the people of Ashanti “are not enemies of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government”.
He said like other ethnic groups in the country, many Ashantis belonged to all the political parties, including the NDC.
The Asantehene said partisan politics was by choice, adding that with the acceptance of democracy as the only form of governance, there was the need for Ghanaians to accept and respect the choice of Ghanaians in terms of the political parties they joined.
He advised President Mills to be strong and bold in discharging his responsibilities, saying, “You should beware of bootlickers and praise singers who are only interested in pursing their selfish interest at the expense of your government.”
“They did it to Rawlings and Kufuor and they will not spare you if you do not put your feet firmly down,” he noted.
“We only need good governance and policies that will facilitate road construction, the distribution of potable water, energy, educational infrastructure, improvement of agriculture, among others,” he added.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the problems facing President Mills were difficult but not insurmountable and, therefore, charged him to be focused, assuring him that he was solidly behind him.
He explained that the country’s resources were a collective contribution of the people, for which his government was duty-bound to ensure its equitable distribution.
President Mills made the remarks during a durbar organised in his honour at the Manhyia Palace.
The visit, which was meant to thank the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in particular and the chiefs and people of Ashanti in general for their support during the 2008 electioneering, was also meant to solicit their support for the President’s four-year term in office.
President Mills, who was full of gratitude for the Asantehene for organising the grand durbar in his honour, noted, “The time has come for all Ghanaians to put their political affiliations aside and unite to ensure the effective and efficient development of the country.”
Expressing concern over the rancour and bitterness associated with a section of the populace, he said such an attitude undermined the peace and tranquillity in the country.
He pointed out that “it is important for people to respect the elderly and those in responsible positions”, stressing that “it is equally important for the present generation to leave a legacy that will be cherished by the next generation”.
He promised to initiate policies and programmes that would accelerate sustainable national development, saying, “I was elected to serve the people and not to lord it over them.”
President Mills told the chiefs and people that he would facilitate the revival of both the Jute and Shoe factories in Kumasi as a way of providing employment for the youth.
That, he said, would please Otumfuo Osei Tutu, whose desire was to support initiatives that would reduce problems associated with unemployment among the youth.
The President urged Ghanaians to be committed to the nation’s development, just as the players of the Black Satellites did in Egypt recently by conquering the world.
He said with the commitment of all Ghanaians, coupled with good governance and stability, the country would soon achieve accelerated development.
He paid tribute to past governments for bringing the country to this level and promised to play his part to facilitate national development.
Commending President Mills for his formal visit to the region, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the people of Ashanti “are not enemies of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government”.
He said like other ethnic groups in the country, many Ashantis belonged to all the political parties, including the NDC.
The Asantehene said partisan politics was by choice, adding that with the acceptance of democracy as the only form of governance, there was the need for Ghanaians to accept and respect the choice of Ghanaians in terms of the political parties they joined.
He advised President Mills to be strong and bold in discharging his responsibilities, saying, “You should beware of bootlickers and praise singers who are only interested in pursing their selfish interest at the expense of your government.”
“They did it to Rawlings and Kufuor and they will not spare you if you do not put your feet firmly down,” he noted.
“We only need good governance and policies that will facilitate road construction, the distribution of potable water, energy, educational infrastructure, improvement of agriculture, among others,” he added.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the problems facing President Mills were difficult but not insurmountable and, therefore, charged him to be focused, assuring him that he was solidly behind him.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
KATH ATTENDS TO 701 BREAST CANCER CASES (PAGE 11, NOV 5)
The Ashanti Regional Women’s branch of the Timber and Wood Workers Union has held a seminar in Kumasi, during which the participants were enlightened on the treatment and cure of breast and cervical cancers.
The Head of the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Baffour Awua, said breast and cervical cancers were the most common cancers among women, which put the lives of patients at risk when they were detected late.
According to him, the department had attended to 701 breast cancer cases since it was established in 2004, adding that about 80 per cent of the cases were reported late, leading to high cost of treatment.
Dr Baffour Awua pointed out that it was important for women to undertake breast examination regularly to enable them to detect any abnormal changes such as lumps in their breasts early to enable them to seek medical care, adding that breast cancer could be cured if patients sought early treatment.
“Many of the patients report only when the disease has reached an advanced state. Such situations put the lives of the patients at high risk. The cost of treatment at the advanced stage is also very high because a single dose of some drugs used for the treatment cost GH¢8,000,” he noted.
He explained that treating breast cancer at the advanced stage was very difficult “because it spreads very fast to other parts of the body, such as the armpit, lungs and brains”.
He said women, especially those above 35 and those with a family history of breast cancer, were at high risk and, therefore, advised them to appreciate the need to consult medical experts at regular intervals.
Dr Baffour Awua explained that “because the disease is not painful at the initial stages, many patients tend to wait until it reaches the advanced stages before seeking medica attentionl, and even at that level they prefer consulting prophets and Mallams”.
He said like breast cancer, cervical cancer was equally dangerous and its treatment was costly, especially when it was reported late, and advised women to undertake regular self-examination and check up at the hospitals since, according to him, prevention was better than cure.
Earlier, the National Vice-Chairman of the Timber and Wood Workers Union, Mr Owusu Bempah, had said the breast was one of the important organs of women and advised the participants to take the knowledge acquired seriously to enable them to take good care of themselves and also help to enlighten other women.
The Head of the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Baffour Awua, said breast and cervical cancers were the most common cancers among women, which put the lives of patients at risk when they were detected late.
According to him, the department had attended to 701 breast cancer cases since it was established in 2004, adding that about 80 per cent of the cases were reported late, leading to high cost of treatment.
Dr Baffour Awua pointed out that it was important for women to undertake breast examination regularly to enable them to detect any abnormal changes such as lumps in their breasts early to enable them to seek medical care, adding that breast cancer could be cured if patients sought early treatment.
“Many of the patients report only when the disease has reached an advanced state. Such situations put the lives of the patients at high risk. The cost of treatment at the advanced stage is also very high because a single dose of some drugs used for the treatment cost GH¢8,000,” he noted.
He explained that treating breast cancer at the advanced stage was very difficult “because it spreads very fast to other parts of the body, such as the armpit, lungs and brains”.
He said women, especially those above 35 and those with a family history of breast cancer, were at high risk and, therefore, advised them to appreciate the need to consult medical experts at regular intervals.
Dr Baffour Awua explained that “because the disease is not painful at the initial stages, many patients tend to wait until it reaches the advanced stages before seeking medica attentionl, and even at that level they prefer consulting prophets and Mallams”.
He said like breast cancer, cervical cancer was equally dangerous and its treatment was costly, especially when it was reported late, and advised women to undertake regular self-examination and check up at the hospitals since, according to him, prevention was better than cure.
Earlier, the National Vice-Chairman of the Timber and Wood Workers Union, Mr Owusu Bempah, had said the breast was one of the important organs of women and advised the participants to take the knowledge acquired seriously to enable them to take good care of themselves and also help to enlighten other women.
KATH ATTENDS TO 701 BREAST CANCER CASES (PAGE 11, NOV 5)
The Ashanti Regional Women’s branch of the Timber and Wood Workers Union has held a seminar in Kumasi, during which the participants were enlightened on the treatment and cure of breast and cervical cancers.
The Head of the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Baffour Awua, said breast and cervical cancers were the most common cancers among women, which put the lives of patients at risk when they were detected late.
According to him, the department had attended to 701 breast cancer cases since it was established in 2004, adding that about 80 per cent of the cases were reported late, leading to high cost of treatment.
Dr Baffour Awua pointed out that it was important for women to undertake breast examination regularly to enable them to detect any abnormal changes such as lumps in their breasts early to enable them to seek medical care, adding that breast cancer could be cured if patients sought early treatment.
“Many of the patients report only when the disease has reached an advanced state. Such situations put the lives of the patients at high risk. The cost of treatment at the advanced stage is also very high because a single dose of some drugs used for the treatment cost GH¢8,000,” he noted.
He explained that treating breast cancer at the advanced stage was very difficult “because it spreads very fast to other parts of the body, such as the armpit, lungs and brains”.
He said women, especially those above 35 and those with a family history of breast cancer, were at high risk and, therefore, advised them to appreciate the need to consult medical experts at regular intervals.
Dr Baffour Awua explained that “because the disease is not painful at the initial stages, many patients tend to wait until it reaches the advanced stages before seeking medica attentionl, and even at that level they prefer consulting prophets and Mallams”.
He said like breast cancer, cervical cancer was equally dangerous and its treatment was costly, especially when it was reported late, and advised women to undertake regular self-examination and check up at the hospitals since, according to him, prevention was better than cure.
Earlier, the National Vice-Chairman of the Timber and Wood Workers Union, Mr Owusu Bempah, had said the breast was one of the important organs of women and advised the participants to take the knowledge acquired seriously to enable them to take good care of themselves and also help to enlighten other women.
The Head of the Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr Baffour Awua, said breast and cervical cancers were the most common cancers among women, which put the lives of patients at risk when they were detected late.
According to him, the department had attended to 701 breast cancer cases since it was established in 2004, adding that about 80 per cent of the cases were reported late, leading to high cost of treatment.
Dr Baffour Awua pointed out that it was important for women to undertake breast examination regularly to enable them to detect any abnormal changes such as lumps in their breasts early to enable them to seek medical care, adding that breast cancer could be cured if patients sought early treatment.
“Many of the patients report only when the disease has reached an advanced state. Such situations put the lives of the patients at high risk. The cost of treatment at the advanced stage is also very high because a single dose of some drugs used for the treatment cost GH¢8,000,” he noted.
He explained that treating breast cancer at the advanced stage was very difficult “because it spreads very fast to other parts of the body, such as the armpit, lungs and brains”.
He said women, especially those above 35 and those with a family history of breast cancer, were at high risk and, therefore, advised them to appreciate the need to consult medical experts at regular intervals.
Dr Baffour Awua explained that “because the disease is not painful at the initial stages, many patients tend to wait until it reaches the advanced stages before seeking medica attentionl, and even at that level they prefer consulting prophets and Mallams”.
He said like breast cancer, cervical cancer was equally dangerous and its treatment was costly, especially when it was reported late, and advised women to undertake regular self-examination and check up at the hospitals since, according to him, prevention was better than cure.
Earlier, the National Vice-Chairman of the Timber and Wood Workers Union, Mr Owusu Bempah, had said the breast was one of the important organs of women and advised the participants to take the knowledge acquired seriously to enable them to take good care of themselves and also help to enlighten other women.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
GHANA NEEDS SCIENCE-BASED PROFESSIONALS (PAGE 11, NOV 4)
A FORMER Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Emmanuel Addo Obeng, has noted that the recent development in the Ghanian body politic demands an educational system that infuses academic excellence with ethical standards.
"We need medical doctors, engineers, scientists and other science and technologically based professionals, but they must be grounded in ethics and exemplify good morals, "he noted.
Professor Addo Obeng made the remarks during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the Christian Service University College (CSUC) in Kumasi.
In all, 757 freshmen and women were admitted into the school to pursue degree programmes in Communication Studies, Theology, Computer Science and Business Studies. The recent admission has increased the student population of 1,584 to 1,951.
He explained that infusing moral values with science and technology would enable Ghana to produce principled, honest and dedicated graduates ready to support the stability of the country, national unity and sustainable socio-economic development.
"Much emphasis has been placed on science and technology, and rightly so because they are catalysts to development, but no nation can develop effectively if morality is extricated from body politic, or if the ethical standard of a people is ignored," stated.
Explaining, he said, because science and technology had been identified as the catalyst to the socio-economic development of every nation, tertiary institutions in Ghana and the educational system have generally focused on them to the neglect of moral values.
The former Vice Chancellor noted that the purpose of education was the total development of the individual, which includes the mind, hands and heart.
He said the need for the educational system to promote good moral behaviour among students "is much more pressing now than ever before because of recent developments that characterises violence during elections".
Professor Addo Obeng advised that divisive politics that had polarised the populace along two of the major political parties, the rising incidence of armed robbery, perceived corruption, discrimination on ethic and religious lines, as well as moral decadence, call for the inculcation of moral values into the educational system.
"The present situation does not augur well for the growth and stability of the country," he noted.
"What could have been a volatile situation can be averted by a well-educated person whose emotions have undergone modification programme, "he noted, adding, "it involves the inculcation of the principles of righteousness, morality and justice.
It ensures human dignity, freedom, truth, personal responsibility and stewardship."
Explaining, he said, while training the hands of students implied equipping individuals with practical and technological skills that enabled them to make a living in this modern and highly technological world, developing their minds and equip them with the requisite intellectual capabilities that help critical and analytical thinking to enable them take informed decisions to enhance their career.
In his address, the President of CSUC, Professor Emmanuel Frempong, advised the students to refrain from peddling in narcotic drugs, saying “offenders will face a disciplinary panel for appropriate punishment which may include expulsion and police prosecution."
He urged them to hold the core values of the university in high esteem, stressing that they should not only be God fearing, but should also work hard and manage their time efficiently to enhance academic and moral excellence.
He gave the assurance that the university would create the enabling environment which would enable them nurture and develop their potentials to the fullest.
"We need medical doctors, engineers, scientists and other science and technologically based professionals, but they must be grounded in ethics and exemplify good morals, "he noted.
Professor Addo Obeng made the remarks during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the Christian Service University College (CSUC) in Kumasi.
In all, 757 freshmen and women were admitted into the school to pursue degree programmes in Communication Studies, Theology, Computer Science and Business Studies. The recent admission has increased the student population of 1,584 to 1,951.
He explained that infusing moral values with science and technology would enable Ghana to produce principled, honest and dedicated graduates ready to support the stability of the country, national unity and sustainable socio-economic development.
"Much emphasis has been placed on science and technology, and rightly so because they are catalysts to development, but no nation can develop effectively if morality is extricated from body politic, or if the ethical standard of a people is ignored," stated.
Explaining, he said, because science and technology had been identified as the catalyst to the socio-economic development of every nation, tertiary institutions in Ghana and the educational system have generally focused on them to the neglect of moral values.
The former Vice Chancellor noted that the purpose of education was the total development of the individual, which includes the mind, hands and heart.
He said the need for the educational system to promote good moral behaviour among students "is much more pressing now than ever before because of recent developments that characterises violence during elections".
Professor Addo Obeng advised that divisive politics that had polarised the populace along two of the major political parties, the rising incidence of armed robbery, perceived corruption, discrimination on ethic and religious lines, as well as moral decadence, call for the inculcation of moral values into the educational system.
"The present situation does not augur well for the growth and stability of the country," he noted.
"What could have been a volatile situation can be averted by a well-educated person whose emotions have undergone modification programme, "he noted, adding, "it involves the inculcation of the principles of righteousness, morality and justice.
It ensures human dignity, freedom, truth, personal responsibility and stewardship."
Explaining, he said, while training the hands of students implied equipping individuals with practical and technological skills that enabled them to make a living in this modern and highly technological world, developing their minds and equip them with the requisite intellectual capabilities that help critical and analytical thinking to enable them take informed decisions to enhance their career.
In his address, the President of CSUC, Professor Emmanuel Frempong, advised the students to refrain from peddling in narcotic drugs, saying “offenders will face a disciplinary panel for appropriate punishment which may include expulsion and police prosecution."
He urged them to hold the core values of the university in high esteem, stressing that they should not only be God fearing, but should also work hard and manage their time efficiently to enhance academic and moral excellence.
He gave the assurance that the university would create the enabling environment which would enable them nurture and develop their potentials to the fullest.
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