office of the vice chancellor

APPRECIATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It is in order to start off with appreciation and acknowledgements:

• To God Almighty, for all His mercies
• The vision bearer of a Methodist University was the First Presiding Bishop, Most Reverend Samuel Asante Antwi. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

• My predecessors in office: Nathan Pecku, Very Rev Prof. Samuel Kwasi Agyepong, Prof Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw and Very Rev. Prof John David Kwamena Ekem took charge of the then Methodist University College.
• Council, for the appointment.
• Management, staff and students of Methodist University Ghana, for the team work in navigating the ship of the university thus far.

SCRIPTURE

Haggai 2:3-4 and 9 read thus:

“Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? ‘But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty…

‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Methodist University has seen its heyday. Methodist University has experienced its wilderness period. But the future is bright. The prospects are good. But we must believe. We must be strong. We must work. And the Lord, who is with us, shall add His blessings to His University and bring glory to Himself.

WORD TO THE METHODIST FRATERNITY

The Methodist University should collaborate with and support the larger Methodist fraternity, and the larger Methodist fraternity should collaborate with and support the Methodist University.

It is my plan, during my tenure, to collaborate with the global and connexional Methodist fraternity to provide topnotch higher education. There are a number of Methodist Universities the world over. Ghana has a number of Methodist Colleges of Education, Health Training institutions, secondary schools, hospitals, farms, a Book Depot, Insurance company, Investment and Property firm. The University must collaborate with these for customized programmes and short courses, conduct research, create attachment and internship opportunities. This is a vast field that will yield mutually beneficial dividends.

In collaboration with the Church, we would also work for Methodists certified by their churches to get a discount on tuition fees, which will have just a margin above costs.

WORD TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

We shall:

• Live our Motto: Excellence, Morality, Service
• Provide RICH Education – Relevant, Innovative, Creative and Holistic Education
• Reward diligence, hard work and positive contributions
• Place a premium on the student
• Create a congenial work environment
• Not countenance indolence, indiscipline and free God being our helper.

  WORD TO GHANA

Without a doubt, the greatest beneficiary of world-class education being offered here in Ghana is the Republic of Ghana. Such education must be accessible and affordable. Higher learning is not limited to teaching accredited courses. Research with a view to innovation and solving local and global problems – and service, community engagement and academia/industry linkages – are what really what mark out the role of universities in national development.

When commissioned research by the State is nearly absent; research funding by the State is limited; and research results, when available are shelved; and when over the decades of our independence, policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of solutions are more based on political considerations than data-driven, Ghana is so much the poorer.

I pray that the Government of Ghana:

1. Commissions universities and research institutions, and provide the requisite and adequate funding support, to address our national problems.
2. Supports students with a bursary to pursue university education wherever they like. This is a proposal of Prof Bill Puplampu, and I support it.
3. Outlines or reoutlines its Policy on Higher Learning and how they align with the agenda for national and human capacity development, so that all tertiary institutions will play our various concerted roles for the emancipation of Ghana, Africa and the world.

FINALLY

I am privileged to serve as the Vice Chancellor of Methodist University Ghana – indeed its first. It is an onerous responsibility, and especially so at this time. I look forward to a close working relationship with the Chancellor, the Chairman of Council, with Members, Staff and Alumni of the University – and with all stakeholders, to move the University to its deserved position amongst the best in the world.

It is not, and would not be, an easy task. But the zeal of the Lord God Almighty shall accomplish it. I am strengthened by the words of MHB 615, thus:

Guide me O thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with thy Precious hand.

Bread of Heaven, feed me now and evermore.

Open Thou the crystal fountain, whence the healing streams shall flow.

Let the fiery, cloudy pillar, lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliverer, be Thou still my help and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside.

Death of deaths and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee.