True education must go beyond knowledge transfer — Prof. Otoo Ellis
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Pentecost University, Professor William Otoo Ellis, has called on graduates to use their education to address growing global challenges and transform society.
“True education must go beyond the transfer of knowledge to the transformation of lives and societies,” he said.
Prof. Ellis, who was speaking on behalf of the Chancellor, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, during the university’s 17th Congregation ceremony, stressed that education must go beyond academic achievement and contribute to national and societal development.
According to him, many nations are currently facing rising unemployment, rapid technological disruption, declining moral standards and complex ethical challenges.
He said these issues required universities to rethink their role in shaping future leaders.
“In such times, universities must produce not only skilled professionals, but also principled leaders, responsible citizens, innovative thinkers and compassionate servants of humanity,” he said.
He, therefore, urged graduating students to rise beyond personal ambition and become ethical leaders, innovators and agents of transformation capable of reshaping Ghana, Africa and the global community.
Prof. Ellis explained that Pentecost University was founded to provide holistic education that combines academic excellence with character formation, spiritual growth, leadership development and service to humanity.
“Our commitment remains the same, to raise graduates who are academically competent, spiritually grounded, ethically disciplined and globally relevant,” he added.
Ceremony
A total of 1,602 students graduated for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The event marked the graduation of the final group of students on the trimester track.
The first batch graduation had presented 1,412 students for postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate programmes, while the second and final batch accounted for 190 graduates.
The graduating students were drawn from the Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering Science and Computing, College of Foundation and Professional Studies and the Pentecost School of Theology and Mission.
Leaders
Prof. Ellis said Ghana and the continent urgently required leaders and professionals who were disciplined, innovative, with ethical conduct and reverence for God.
He, therefore, urged graduates to reject mediocrity and embrace excellence as they entered the next phase of their lives.
“Become builders of strong institutions, creators of opportunities and ambassadors of integrity and faith,” he said.
Achievements
The Vice-Chancellor, Apostle Prof. Kwabena Agyapong Kodua, highlighted progress made under its “University A+ Agenda,” which focuses on character development, academic excellence and spiritual growth.
Under the programme, he said the university had organised fasting and prayer sessions, mentorship programmes, community services and staff devotions to strengthen its spiritual environment.
He added that the university had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Prisons Service for training and capacity-building programmes and an academic partnership with the Directorate General of Maritime Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire.
He attributed the progress of the university to the support of the Chancellor, Apostle Dr Eric Nyamekye, and the Executive Council of The Church of Pentecost, for their sustained investment in scholarships, infrastructure, staff development and institutional growth.
Appreciation
The Valedictorian, Christiana Nkrumah, thanked God for guiding them through their academic journey despite many challenges.
She also praised the Pentecost University for shaping students academically, morally and spiritually.
She thanked family, friends, lecturers and colleagues for their encouragement and support throughout the period.
