Cape Coast, Nov. 11, GNA- The Minister of Public Sector Reforms, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, on Saturday said Ghana was being ranked among the first five countries in Africa that were well positioned to break out of extreme poverty among its people.

He said, 93after suffering through the lost decades of the 1970s and the 1980s our country Ghana is finding its feet once again and is heading towards greater prosperity.

According to him, Ghanaian professionals were also well regarded throughout the world, on university campuses, international organization and Major Corporation.

Dr. Nduom said this at the second and final session of the 37th congregation of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) at Cape Coast, during which 3,028 students, including 1,082 females were presented with degrees, diploma and certificates

The graduands were students from the Faculty of Continuing Education, Faculty of Art and the School of Agriculture. Twenty-two students including, Mr Nii Ansah Tachie the over all best graduating students received special honours.

Dr Nduom tasked the graduands to use what they have learnt in their various course of study to make Ghana different from the =93non-performing=94 countries in the world and also ensure that it took its people out of extreme poverty.

He also urged them to believe in themselves, be patriotic citizens, live disciplined lives and encourage success, adding that Ghana have =93successful, confident and prosperous people=94.

The Vice Chancellor, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Adow Obeng, announced that the UCC has sourced a loan of 6.3 million dollars from the Chinese government to set up permanent study centres with internets and teleconferencing facilities in all the regions to enhance its distance learning education programme, which has 20,000 students. He said the school of Modern Languages, School of Heritage and Liberal Arts and School of Creative Arts would be created next academic year in the Faculty of Arts.

He said the School of Agriculture was also introducing a two-year post diploma programme in animal health, to assist the government to achieve its aim of meeting the country's increasing demand for animal protein.

Dr. Charles Mensa, Chairman of the University Council, in his welcoming address, expressed concern about the upheavals and unrest at the pre-tertiary level of education and called on all the parties to move from their entrenched positions in the true spirit of 'give and take' to ensure that a solution which is satisfactory to all is reached.

He advised the graduands to bring honour to themselves, their parents and their alma mater and also endeavour to give back to society by way of selfless service, the huge investment that were made to ensure that their education was possible.