President Akufo-Addo swore in Dr Mary Chinery-Hesse
History was made on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon yesterday when the nation’s premier university got its first-ever female Chancellor in its 70 years of existence.
President Akufo-Addo swore in Dr Mary Chinery-Hesse as Chancellor of the University to take over from former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Annan, whose second term of office as chancellor of the institution came to an end on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.
Charge
After administering the oaths of office and secrecy to her, President Akufo-Addo stated: “One of the most important and immediate challenges, which will confront this university and others, will be the dramatically increased population of students, who will be seeking admission in some two years as a result of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
“I urge you, Madam Chancellor, and all heads of our tertiary institutions, to begin making adequate preparations towards this and future years.
“The Free Senior High School (SHS) policy will be a permanent feature of our educational architecture therefore we cannot be caught off guard, as the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”
He reiterated government’s commitment to supporting the University of Ghana, and indeed all other universities in the country.
President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the University of Ghana would continue to produce graduates who would be moulded to take on the opportunities and possibilities through innovation and creativity in today’s science, technology-led and knowledge-driven global economy to create prosperity for the mass of Ghanaians.
Credentials
He was full of praise for the new chancellor, saying the university could not have picked a worthier successor to Kofi Annan than Dr Chinery-Hesse, whose wealth of experience as Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, member of the Governing Council of the University, advisor to the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, John Agyekum Kufuor, would ensure a seamless transition and put her in good stead to help spur on the university onto greater heights.
Commendation
As the first female chancellor of a university in Ghana, for that matter, the nation’s premier university, President Akufo-Addo observed that “Mrs. Chinery-Hesse blazes, again, a trail for other women to follow, and moreover, I am sure the university will definitely feel the added benefit of that special quality that a woman can bring to leadership.”
Mrs Chinery-Hese, in her remarks, said she does not want be confined to performing only ceremonial duties but put the rich experience she has acquired over the years at the disposal of the university.
She pledged to make the University of Ghana one that is rooted in Ghanaian and African realities, authoritative in its research on Ghana and Africa at the highest international level and a welcome home to scholars of international repute from all over the world and students from a rich variety of cultures and backgrounds.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent