The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) charged the graduands of the Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) to translate the knowledge acquired into tangible reality as that is the only way to demonstrate the value of the certificate awarded to them.
The Moderator, Rt. Rev. Prof. J. O. Y. Mante, made the call at the 14th Graduation of PUCG held on the 5th and 6th November, 2020 at the Ramseyer Training Centre (RTC), at Abetifi Kwahu.
Historic Event
Rt. Rev. Prof. J. O. Y. Mante underscored the historic nature of the 14th Graduation noting that the restrictions associated with the observance of COVID-19 protocols have taken out some of the traditional milestones associated with such events.
“It is a unique Graduation because in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, graduands for this year will miss out on some traditional milestones associated with such events such as the taking of multiple pictures and selfies with your full face showing, handshakes and hugging of friends,” the Moderator said.
“This era is perhaps the first time in the history of the world that graduands and guests are all wearing face masks, our hands have been washed clean and our temperatures checked at such a ceremony,” he noted.
National Duty
Rt. Rev. Prof. Mante admonished the graduands to join the crusade to ensure peace in the upcoming General Elections.
“Do not get yourself involved in any electioneering misdemeanor. I want you to be peace ambassadors. Go and show the nation that you are graduates, parents and guardians of an institution where discipline is the hallmark,” he implored the graduands.
The Moderator also cautioned the graduands to continue to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols so that the country can put the disease and its associated restrictive protocols away.
Appeal to the Government
Rt. Rev. Prof. Mante outlined the huge capital outlay for running a University, especially in the provision of quality facilities for teaching and learning.
He called on the Government to take a second look at its level of support to the mission founded Universities to see how best it can provide educational support and incentive packages to the private universities.
The Moderator noted that “such a move will provide equity in the distribution of the national budget for education to all students irrespective of where one is studying.”
He also argued for support from the Government to help the private universities absorb the free Senior High School students who are due for further studies at the tertiary level.
“I call on Government to be intentional about helping the private Universities to position themselves to provide higher education for the citizenry as well as providing a rich human resource base to the nation,” he said.
To The Graduands
The Moderator reminded the graduands that aspects of the Presbyterian educational philosophy of training the head, the heart and hand are crucial to their holistic development.
He said “these courses were intended to provide you with life skills, which are needed in your professional careers and community life.”
According to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, society has high expectations of the graduands to apply what they know stating that “your certificates are of no value if you cannot translate this knowledge in practical tangible reality.”
Society has high expectations of you as beneficiaries of higher education. I urge you all to contribute your quota to the building of our nation through hard work and dedication, and exhibit the qualities of the motto of your alma mater which is “Discipline in Leadership.”