Cape Coast University names Hall after Dr Nkrumah

Cape Coast, March 14, GNA- The authorities of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) at the weekend renamed "New Hall" after the first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The Hall built in 1998 with funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund, has six blocks and more than 360 rooms and a conference centre. Reverend Professor Emmanuel Adow Obeng, Vice Chancellor of UCC who performed the "naming ceremony" on the University Campus, said it was part of Ghana's 50th independence anniversary and Hall week celebration. He said the renaming ceremony was aimed at promoting the ideals that Dr Nkrumah held so dear among the students.

Prof. Obeng said Dr Nkrumah established the University with the vision to train educationists for Ghana and the West African Sub-Region so that the emancipation of Ghana and Africa would be holistic. He said UCC had over the years expanded to address the needs of individuals, communities and the nation as a whole but expressed regret that it had not been able to honour the founder of the institute with any monumental edifice.

"Dr Nkrumah's name is certainly bigger than this Hall but it is one of our modest ways to express appreciation to that hero of Ghana and Africa to whose vision we owe our very existence," he said. Prof. Obeng expressed the hope that students of the Hall would emulate the qualities of Dr Nkrumah and to become shinning examples for others in the University.

"These noble qualities should spur you on to achieve greater heights, morally, socially and academically so that your contribution and influence will be felt by any society you find yourselves," Prof. Obeng said students of the Hall should not tarnish the image and reputation of Dr Nkrumah.

"Let us all remain disciplined, focused committed and hardworking and lift this Hall to a greater height."

Prof. Emeritus Francis Nkrumah, first son of the former President, who was the Special Guest, thanked the University authorities on behalf of his family for the honour bestowed on Dr Nkrumah.

He underscored the important role his father and Mr Kojo Botsio played in the country's education and asked that Mr Botsio should also be remembered and honoured.

He said school enrolment increased greatly when Mr Botsio was Minister of Education.

He expressed joy that UCC was able to meet the vision for which it was established and has even gone a step further by establishing a medical school.

Prof. Nkrumah urged the UCC to continue to make the university a centre of reflection and search for knowledge and truth, adding that his father would not have wished anything less. Mr Peter Kwapong, Hall Master said due to hard work and commitment, the Hall had been referred to as the "Hall of excellence". He said the Hall was the only place on campus with facilities favourable for physically challenged persons and also accommodate international students.

Mr Kwapong mentioned power outages, water and lack of catering services as the major problems facing the Hall.

Professor Atta Britwum a lecturer of UCC and past Hall Master, who chaired the function, expressed concern about the way structures that were put in place by Dr Nkrumah were left to deteriorate by past governments, adding that if such structures were properly maintained, Ghana would have been far ahead of Malaysia. He said many of Dr Nkrumah's books and publication were burnt and while some were looted.

Prof. Britwum said many of such books publications and collections had found their way to Howard University and suggested that efforts should be made to bring them back.

Past masters and porters of the Hall were presented with awards for their contributions to the development of the place. 14 March 07