Old student of ASTECH receives valedictorian award at UCC congregation

A former student of Ada Senior High Technical School (ASTECH) in the Ada West District of Greater Accra Region, Miss Eyra Arnong was named the best-graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.9104 at the University of Cape Coast Congregation for 2023 graduands.

Miss Eyra Arnong received the accolade of valedictorian after completing a Bachelor of Education (in Educational Psychology) organized at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) satellite centre at the Ada Senior High School in the Ada East District.

The congregation was held for the 8th, 9th, and 10th sessions of the 56th Congregation at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) New Examination Center for the College of Distance Education students.

Born in Mepe, Volta Region's North Tongu District, Arnong enrolled at ASTECH as a business student in 2009 and graduated in 2013 as one of Ghana's final groups of Senior High School students who completed a four-year SHS curriculum.

She then enrolled in the Diploma in Education programme at the University of Cape Coast, which runs from 2018 to 2021. She finished with a spectacular CGPA, which earned her concession from the institution to pursue a degree in education, and she made history as a scholar in 2023.

At the congregation ceremony, Miss Eyra Arnong received four academic awards: the best-graduating student in 2023 (with CGPA of 3.9104), the best-graduating student in Educational Psychology, and two other prestigious prizes from the university for further studies: Albert Kobina Koomson’s award for best-graduating student in 2023, and a scholarship to study Masters in English Language with UCC.

Miss Eyra Arnong, delivering the valedictorian speech during the ceremony recounted the challenges she faced during the programme mentioning last year’s Akosombo Dam spillage as her major hitch.

“I come from Mepe, a town in the Volta Region. I hope the name Mepey resonates with all who are gathered here. That small town was nearly submerged by the Akosombo Dam spillage in September 2023. Many individuals lost their homes and properties just three days into the spillage. As the days went by, and the spillage continued, my family and I resigned ourselves to fate. We knew it was just a matter of time before our house was submerged. I kept thinking of how I was going to be rendered homeless and perhaps lose materials and modules for the course. Even though God was so good, the flood surrendered my house but did not destroy it. The whole experience drained me mentally and emotionally. However, I said to myself, 'You are almost. There just one more push'. By the Grace of the Merciful God, I stand here victorious and stronger,” she narrated.

Miss Eyra Arnong, (the salutatorian) acknowledges the contribution of her parents, colleagues, family members, friends, and Mr. Alfred Doe Nukpetsi her coordinator at Ada SHS study centre for instilling in her self-confidence, stability, and balance to be in the spotlight she realized today.

“I acknowledged the contribution of my affable parents; Mr. Emson Kwami Kpordzro and Mrs. Celestine Akorfa Kpodzro, my siblings, and my friends. This group has been my cheered leader. This is a thank you note for all of them where they are,” she acknowledges.