UOG should not be allowed to deteriorate - VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, on Friday described the institution as a "great and famous university" which should not be allowed to deteriorate.

He said the Alumni had a major role to play in ensuring that the university maintained high standards and should progress as well. Prof. Addae-Mensah, who was speaking at the commissioning of the first phase of the Jubilee Hall of the University in Accra, said although the building was a magnificent edifice, "we should not be lulled into complacency."

He said it was only the first of four phases and noted that fund raising for the three remaining phases would have to be even more vigorous. Prof. Addae-Mensah noted that only few individuals had sacrificed their time, energy and even private funds towards the realisation of the project.

He said there was the need for the Alumni to rededicate themselves to the ideals and objectives of the Alumni Association in order to build a university "of which we shall all continue to be proud."

The hall, which is to accommodate 300 students with the completion of its first phase, would house about 1,500 upon its full completion of three more phases.

The first phase was funded through the deduction of one percent of the monthly salaries of consenting alumni, donations from organisations and individuals, fund-raising activities and support from the University. Organisations, which contributed to the construction included the Ghana Cocoa Board, Agricultural development Bank, Manet, Kristo Asafo Mission, Stephen Asare Enterprises Limited, Volta River Authority and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority. On February 2 1996, Professor George Benneh, then Vice Chancellor, set up the Planning Committee for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations, which had as part of its terms of reference, the construction of a commemorative students hall of residence called Jubilee Hall.

The Jubilee Hall Fund was launched in 1996 in Accra by Professor Benneh after a series of meetings with the Alumni.