Accra, March 10, GNA - The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, on Saturday urged the authorities of the University of Ghana and the student body to collaborate to fashion out appropriate security measures that would make the school a safe haven for teaching and learning.

He said, "If the campus is not safe, then the nation will suffer for that, therefore all hands must be on deck to ensure that the recent unfortunate development that created tension on campus is put to rest". Papa Owusu-Ankumah, who was speaking at the Congregation of the University of Ghana, assured government's continuous support to the school, which is a centre of academic excellence.

He noted that there was the need to raise the level of the scientific and technological base of the country.

This he said could be done through the reform of the educational system to produce quality students in the area of science and technology and who are also culturally sound.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah indicated that in todays globalise world, students must be re-oriented to become problem solvers rather than being repository of knowledge.

The Minister urged the students to place their knowledge at the service of the nation, saying education is the acquisition of knowledge and values that prepared students to exhibit creativity and entrepreneurial skills.

Papa Owusu-Ankoma emphasised on the need for the university to explore alternative sources of revenue to augment government allocation to help provide certain basic facilities.

He congratulated the authorities for the various projects being undertaken, particularly accommodation for the lecturers. Papa Owusu Ankoma urged the university to fashion out a system that would make people benefit from distant education, adding that it would open up avenues for other students to have access to education. He said the world is fast becoming a place where knowledge was gradually supplanting physical capital as a source of wealth and that a country's wealth of knowledge determined its level of economic success. He expressed his gratitude to the lecturers and workers of the University for their dedication, sacrifice and tireless efforts having worked under very trying conditions.

The Minister assured the university authorities of government's commitment to stick to the road map in salary enhancement for teachers to have decent wages.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, said the major difficulty the University continues to face was attracting young academics to the faculty to replace those retiring, despite the improved conditions of service of the University.

He therefore called on government to introduce packages that would make working in the University very attractive to encourage young graduates into lecturing.

Prof Tagoe said series of projects were on going and that the university would do its best to raise sufficient funds to completion them.

The Vice Chancellor said the University had instituted a scheme that awards the less endowed students who gain admission into the school.

He said so far 578 students have benefited from the scheme since it inception and over A2455 Million Cedis committed.

Prof Tagoe said with the assistance of the Security Committee, new strategies have been drawn up to ensure security on campus, and entreated students to comply with the new routines.

He also called on the graduates to make their mark wherever they might find themselves and to use the education and training they have acquired as a stepping-stone to propel themselves to greater heights. Prof Tagoe announced that next year (2008) the University of Ghana would celebrate its sixtieth anniversary and called on all to participate.

In a remark, Miss Harriet Afi Hevi, a First Class graduate, on behalf of her colleagues thanked God for being their source of strength and inspiration throughout their stay and study on campus as well as the lecturers and staff of the University for nurturing them to achieve their present height.

Mr. D.K. Shadow, a lecturer, was given an award for Meritorious Service to the university, while Prof J R A Ayee Dean of Humanities Department took the Best Teacher Award.

The best Science lecturer award went to Dr. Merley Afua Newman-Nartey, while the Best Worker Award went to Ms Grace Annoh of the Academic Affairs Directorate.

In all 6,652 students at all the levels graduated for the 2005 and 2006 academic year. 10 March 07