UG College of Education honours 6 Faculty at Pen Ceremony
The College of Education of the University of Ghana (UG) has celebrated six faculty members who have been promoted to the rank of Associate Professors at its second Pen Ceremony.
The ceremony honoured newly promoted associate professors and recognised their achievements to aspire academic excellence, research and a dedication to mentoring future generations of scholars.
The honourees, Professors Yaw Owusu-Agyemang, Simon-Peter Kafui Aheto, Philip Kwaku Kankam, Kwaku Darko Amponsah, and David Addae, received citations, mementoes, laptops, and symbolic pens in recognition of their academic achievements, dedication to teaching, and service to the university.
Commitment to excellence
Speaking at the ceremony on Thursday, August 14, this year, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UG, Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, described the event as a reflection of the college’s strategic priorities of promoting impactful research and supporting faculty development.
“The pen symbolises perseverance, intellectual curiosity and the countless hours invested in refining ideas and nurturing students,” he said, adding that the continuation of the Pen Ceremony demonstrated the college’s commitment to celebrating scholarship and motivating the faculty to aim higher.
He urged the honourees to see their promotion not as the culmination of achievement, but as a call to greater responsibility in research, mentorship, and service to society.“The pen you hold today is more than a symbol. It is a tool of influence, a mark of dedication, and a reminder of the trust placed in you by the university community. Use it wisely to advance knowledge, shape minds, and contribute solutions to national and global challenges,” he said.
Prof. Asante further encouraged the new Associate Professors to mentor junior colleagues, inspire students and collaborate with both local and international scholars.
He stressed that academic excellence was a journey, not a destination, and that the pursuit of impactful research and innovation should remain a lifelong commitment.
“Let this recognition motivate you to aim higher. Publish in top-tier journals, seek international collaborations, secure grants and contribute to policies that improve society. The world needs your expertise and your dedication,” he added.
Concerns
The Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, said one of his early concerns on assuming office was the limited number of senior faculty at the professorial level.
“This inspired the introduction of initiatives to stimulate academic advancement, including the establishment of the Centre for Education Research and Policy, the increase in research fellows, formation of departmental research teams, and the hosting of biennial research conferences,” he said.
Prof. Codjoe stated that the Pen Ceremony had three main objectives: to honour faculty promoted to Associate Professor, to inspire others to advance academically, and to encourage students to consider careers in academia.
He urged younger lecturers to take advantage of research mentorship and collaborative projects to strengthen their promotion portfolios.
Beyond Outstanding
A professor of epidemiology, Prof. John Owusu Gyapong, congratulated the honourees and encouraged them to aspire beyond national recognition to achieve international acclaim.
“While the Associate Professor rank recognises outstanding scholarship, promotion to full professor requires international acknowledgement,” he said.
Prof. Gyapong advised the faculty to publish in high-impact international journals, present at globally recognised conferences, engage in collaborative research abroad, maintain a strong online presence, and pursue substantial research grants.
“The pen comes with power not just to write, but to shape thought, tell truth and take responsibility for every word,” he emphasised.
