Professor Ebenezer Oduro inducted into office as 3rd President of the Presbyterian University College
Professor Ebenezer Oduro, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana has been inducted into office as the 3rd President of the Presbyterian University College, Ghana (PUCG) on Sunday, 30th January 2022, at the Ramseyer Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Abetifi Kwahu in the Eastern Region.
Rt. Rev. Prof. Mante Moderator performing the induction of Prof. Oduro.
The occasion was opened to the general public as it witnessed the presence of Political and Religious high profile personalities including the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, (PCG), Rt. Rev Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, who also doubles as the Chancellor of the University.
The beautiful church service began with the Procession of Council and Convocation, with the entire congregation led by the Church Choir singing a Presbyterian Hymn.
Moderator of the General Assembly
Preaching the sermon at the ceremony, The Rt. Rev. Prof. Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante urged the president to use his position employ the collegiate system where both the church and traditional leaders in Kwahuman would be brought on board to foster development and progress in the university.
He challenged him to be selfless in dealing with other people and rely on his rich years of experience in academics to seek other sources of funding for the university.
Rt. Rev. Prof. Mante, called on him to eschew complacency and help build a strong legacy for the university.
Induction Ceremony
The Moderator Rt. Rev Prof. Mante took the the President through the respective protocols of the investiture, including the Administration of the Oath of Office, Robing, as well as the Presentation of the Instrument of Office. After the completion of the Investiture ceremony, the Moderator Rt. Rev Prof. Mante, officially presented the President to those gathered,
Chairperson of Council
The Chairperson of the Council of PUCG, His Lordship Justice Professor Emmanuel Nii Ashie Kotey, admonished the new President to have an open heart to embrace all and make God the centre of his reign. Adding that he has the full support of the entire council of the university to deliver.
Address by Prof. Oduro
Addressing the gathering after his investiture, Prof. Oduro Owusu said “I take over the mantle of leadership of this university, I do so with humility and the firmest conviction that leadership is a great call to serve humanity.”
He said his service is a call to inspire and bring hope to the students, staff and all stakeholders that together, “We can chart a new path to greater heights in the annals of the University by upholding the values of truth, honesty, integrity, humility, sobriety, discipline, hard work, and faith in God.”
Prof. Ebenezer Oduro addressing the gathering
According to the President, this would need the collective efforts of the entire leadership, backed by the commitment and hard work of all academic and non-academic staff as well as students to couch an enviable reputation for our University as a beacon of discipline, excellence, and moral uprightness.
Prof. Oduro Owusu expressed gratitude to all past and present faculty and staff of the University for their relentless efforts and commitment to the success of the mission and vision of the University. “I trust that I can count on the strong commitment of all towards the full attainment of the University’s mission, he said.
Interaction with Chiefs
The President disclosed that since assuming office, he has visited the Omanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II and interacted with almost all the Chiefs in the Kwahu State, for introduction and to engage in strategic consultations. He noted that the interactions with the traditional leaders exposed him to a valuable learning curve after ample diagnosis of the problems bedevilling the University.
He said the Presbyterian Church of Ghana is celebrated not only as a religious organisation but as a distinguished pioneer in the introduction of quality education in Ghana. It is in this light that the Presbyterian University College, Ghana was established and dedicated in 2003 to design and implement academic programmes within the context of Christian ethics that produce holistic human development, research and outreach for the global population (In our case as Presbyterians, the Head, the Heart, and the Hands).
Section of traditional leaders at the ceremony
The President therefore appealed to Nananom and all Opinion Leaders who have in one way or the other been offended by the University, to forgive us and come on board once again.
He also implored all our stakeholders and especially staff who in the past 2 years have left for whatever reasons to consider re-joining the University in whatever form to rebuild a stronger and more reputable university that will serve humanity in all terms. “I stretch an arm of genuine reconciliation to all for the sake of future generations and the development of our dear nation,” he said.
Leadership philosophy and style
Prof. Oduro Owusu said his leadership philosophy is based on the biblical concept that all humans are created by the same God in His own image and therefore, consider his good self as only “Primus inter pares”, i.e., “first among equals”. “To this end, I expect us to show absolute respect to one another in our various lines of duty,” he reiterated.
According to the President, Respect, Truthfulness, Humility, Integrity and Resource Mobilization are the keywords going to shape the future direction of the institution; and expect this to run through the entire staff and student body of the university.
He posited that as a Presbyterian institution, the expectation is that the University provides the needed “missing” puzzle in the national developmental language, i.e., discipline and morally upright leadership, to ensure that “we find our rightful place as a nation in world development and economic order,” he underscored noting that students of the University will have to stand out in terms of moral and ethical behaviours reminding them of its motto: Discipline in leadership!
Prof. Oduro Owusu said that Innovation and Excellence in teaching and research are key parameters for recognition and attainment of worldwide respect of an academic institution.
He stated that these areas would be strongly encouraged, specially recognized and rewarded in all segments of the University to motivate commitment, passion and dynamism in the staff towards the development of a respectable research and training institution.
He said each Campus in the University would be tasked to identify specific areas of achievement to enable us leverage on them for excellence stimulation.
“Under my leadership, the pursuit of excellence and innovation would particularly be encouraged for their relevance to the development of the nation – directly or through the training of high calibre morally upright result-oriented graduates – and partnering with other research and development institutions/agents worldwide to make recognized outstanding contributions to the global community,” he stated.
A cross section invited guests at the ceremony
The President disclosed that he will lead a strategic team of achievers from different segments of the University to plan, raise resources, implement concrete actions, and evaluate their contributions to the advancement of the University as a top-notch Academic, Research and Development-oriented institution.
“As President of the Presbyterian University College, Ghana, I commit myself to fairness, firmness and remain highly dedicated to the promotion of high academic and moral standards through judicious application of the statutes and other relevant regulations/policies, while providing a conducive environment for excellent teaching, learning, research, and service delivery,” Prof. Oduro Owusu pledged.
He said the major focus will be on how to promote the adoption of appropriate innovations through basic and demand-driven research, as well as effective student enrolment and other outreach programmes. I will provide strategic leadership to ensure that the Presbyterian University remains financially stable and make a mark on world Universities rankings in all possible ranking categories.
The President concluded his Inaugural address by expressing his sincere appreciation, first to God and then, to a number of important people who, in diverse ways, had played an integral role in the ultimate realization of this remarkable and prestigious achievement. Specifically, Prof. Oduro paid tribute to the efforts and sacrifice of his parents. He then went on to express his appreciation to his entire family, as well as the Chiefs and people of the Kwahu Traditional Area, for their immense support and prayers during his academic and professional career. Finally, the President extended his gratitude to his wife, and his three children, for their unwavering support, encouragement and affection, all of which have served to strengthen him in the navigation of his highly successful academic and professional career.
Profile of Prof. Oduro
Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, a Professor of Entomology at the Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, is the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon and also the Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences of the same university.
Professor Owusu served in the university of Ghana, as Head of Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, from 2008 to 2010; Vice Dean, Faculty of Science from 2010 to 2014, Dean School of Biological Sciences from August to September, 2014 and Acting Dean, School of Biological Sciences from September, 2014 to June, 2015. He served as Country Director of KANEMATSU Corporation, Tokyo, Japan (Ghana Office) from July, 2001 to December, 2004 and Country Manager, SIRUS Corporation, Tokyo, Japan from 2005 to 2009.
A scholar of international repute with proven knowledge and experience in university administration and governance, in addition to demonstrable fundraising ability, Professor Owusu has served on numerous University Boards and Committees.
Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu was recently appointed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo to chair the Board of the Energy Commission of Ghana with a mandate to regulate and manage the development and utilization of energy resources in Ghana.
Eastern Regional Minister Mr. Seth Acheampong (Middle) and some other dignitaries
Present at the ceremony, were, Very Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, chiefs of the Kwahuman Traditional Area, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Acheampong a host of academia both local and international and family and friends.
Source:
Rev George Larbi
Public Relations Officer
Presbyterian Church of Ghan
