New President of PUC inducted into office

Reverend Professor Emmanuel Adow Obeng has been inducted into office as the President of the Presbyterian University College (PUC), at a colourful ceremony at the Ramseyer Presbyterian Church at Abetifi.

Prof Obeng, a former Vice Chancellor of the University Of Cape Coast and a Minister of the Presbyterian Church, takes over from Professor Samuel Sraku-Lartey, who provided 10 years meritorious service to the growth of the school.

Rev Professor Emmanuel Martey, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), who performed the induction service, urged the president to take the University to the level envisaged in its establishment.

He reiterated the PCG's commitment to holistic education, that trains people in discipline and hard work, to advance the cause of national development, adding that, for that reason PCG cannot keep quiet when it comes to national matters..

The Moderator said the PUC had five campuses all located at semi-rural areas, to provide access to higher education for people in its catchment areas, and hoped the new president would deliver to enable the church realize its dream for establishing the University.

Prof Obeng said, his vision was to ensure the growth and expansion of academic programmes, especially the sciences, strengthen research and graduate studies programmes, develop distance education and expand the funding base for massive infrastructural development.

He, however, made a passionate appeal to the Moderator to mobilize the entire PCG and the General Assembly Council, to support the school in its serious infrastructural deficit.

In his view 12 years was too short a time for the school to be weaned off the church’s support, and said some public universities were over 60 years, yet enjoyed largesse from the state and, therefore, pointed out that the church had the capacity to support the school, looking at the strength of its presbyteries.

Professor Frank Arku, Vice President of the School, pledged loyalty and dedication of the entire staff to the administrative direction of the President, towards the achievement of his vision, and added that ‘the kind of staff that made you succeed at Cape Coast University can be found here’.