University of Education to honour Rawlings, 2 others

 The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) is to confer honorary doctorate degrees on former President Jerry John Rawlings and two others for the various roles they have played in the development of their respective countries.

The other recipients are former Nigerian President, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Professor Jophus Anamuah Mensah, former Principal, and first Vice Chancellor of UEW.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba Prof. Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw made the announcement when he led a high-powered delegation from the University to formally inform President Rawlings of the University’s intentions last Wednesday.

Accompanied by the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni the delegation discussed a wide range of issues on educational policies and their impact on national development.

The main purpose of the visit was to announce to his Excellency, the decision of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Governing Council to award the former President with an honorary doctorate degree.

The ceremony which is scheduled to take place on August 14, 2014 would be preceded by a series of lectures to be delivered by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the theme: “Sustaining Excellence in Educational Leadership for Accelerated National Development.”

Jerry Rawlings is being recognised for his passion and love for education, his sacrifices for the establishment of the University of Education, Winneba and also his boldness to reform the educational sector during his tenure of office as President.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar  is being honoured for the exemplary role he played in ensuring that the Federal Republic of Nigeria stayed on the course of democracy during his tenure of office.

Prof Jophus Anamuah Mensah is also being honoured for his immense role in steering the affairs of the then University College to gain full autonomy, and also for his contribution in shaping educational policy in Ghana.

During the meeting, the issue of teacher quality, teacher unemployment and general falling standards in education were discussed.

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who was at the meeting also raised concerns on the difficult challenges currently affecting the educational sector in the country.

Vice Chancellor Asabere-Ameyaw opined that some practical solutions would be found to the current challenges facing the educational sector when the great minds who have been invited at the ceremony meet at UEW from August 12 to 14.

Present at the meeting was the Deputy Registrar in charge of International Relations and Public Affairs of UEW, Mr. Steve v. Kamassah and his assistant, as well as Mr. Kobina Andoh Amoakwa, aide to former President, Jerry Rawlings.