PUCG Holds Colloquium to Mark 10th Anniversary

Presbyterian University College 10th anniversary

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG), a private university located at Abetifi-Kwahu in the Eastern region of Ghana.

The theme for the anniversary is Ten years of Presbyterian University Education in Ghana. The University College was established by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana on November 23, 2003 and inaugurated on March 27, 2004 by former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

In an address at the opening of a colloquium in Accra, yesterday, as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary celebrations, Prof Kofi Sraku-Lartey, president of the PUCG, noted that excellent leadership, investment in strategic planning and a significant financial support from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana had been responsible for the success story of the PUCG.

Prof Sraku-Lartyey disclosed that the PUCG would put its agenda 2013―an integral part of which is research and preparations for applying for a charter to become an autonomous university― into operation.

He underscored the importance of research and publications in the work of a university, noting that even though research began at PUCG on a slow pace, the necessary foundations had now been laid including an annual research grant to individual lecturers, leading to an upsurge of research activities, with about 30 publications annually to the credit of the university.

He said an article published by one of the senior members of the university had been ranked among the top articles published on Drought by Taylors and Francis Group and the University of South Africa Press.

Prof. Sraku-Lartey said it was out of these publications that five had been selected for presentation at the colloquium.

Topics discussed included Local creativity for adapting to climate change among rural farmers in the semi arid regions of Ghana; Churns on the golden egg: citrus, oil palm os cocoa? The case of cocoa farmers in the Kwaebibirem District of the Eastern Region; Coping strategies used by people living with HIV; Character: A re-emerging quality for graduate employability in Ghana and overcoming the perceived barriers to small and medium scale enterprises in Ghana―A proposed model.

The presentations were made by Dr Frank Arku; Dr John Adu Kumi; Linda Akuamoah Sarfo, Prince Osei Akumiah & Floence Asamoah; Rev. E.Y. Blasu; and Eric Amankwa & Mark Oliver-Kevor, respectively.

Present at the colloquium were Rev. Prof A. S. Ayettey, a representative of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) on the PUCG Council and Mr Sam Okudjeto a private legal practitioner and chairman of the PUCG Council.