The academic distinction which Ghanaian University graduates achieve on the successful completion of their courses, should not be allowed to separate them from the masses. This was stressed at the week-end by Nana Kobina Nketsia IV, chairman of the Council of University of Ghana. Addressing the first Congregation ceremony of the University at Legon, Nana Nketsia told the passing out graduates:

“You have now achieved distinction, But let not this distinction separate you from the people of Ghana.”

Reminding the graduates that they had passed out at a time when Ghana had launched its Seven-Year Development Plan designed to transform the country into a socialist and industrialised modern state, the chairman declared:

Confidence

Your role is clear. In this exciting experience, I am confident that the country can count on your support for the better understanding of the socialist aspirations of the people of Ghana of which you are a part.” The chairman expressed his gratitude to the masses for continuing to sacrifice to enable the University to grow to be a centre of science and learning. “In this regard,” he went on, “we should be made to accept the challenge and responsibilities of our positions.” “We should hope,” hope,” the chairman continued, “that the University will become a centre of science and learning that can hold its own against any other university in the world.” Nana Nketsia described the occasion as “the reaping of satisfying results of all tolls the students had laboured diligently for the past three years.” Nevertheless, students in Ghana’s Universities should help realise the objectives set before them for the ultimate benefit of Africa and mankind, he stressed.

Interest

On behalf of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Chancellor of the University, the chairman extended a warm welcome to the guests at the ceremony for their continued keen interest in the progress of the University. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr Connor proposed reforms. Cruise O’Brien, in his report announced that proposals had been made by the University’s Convocation for certain reforms in the University’s customs and practices. A special ad hoc committee, he said, had been set up and would shortly submit a programme of recommended changes in the life at Legon Hill, which he would personally help to promote. Dr O’Brien observed that it was right that the academic body should cast a critical eye from time to time on “Our customs and practices and outmoded or misleading habits dropped”,