The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region has climaxed its fifth anniversary celebrations with a grand durbar held at the New Auditorium.
The highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic passing of flags from alumni to junior staff, senior staff, senior members (teaching and non-teaching), Management, and finally the Governing Council, signifying the collective commitment of the University community to UESD’s vision. The celebration was crowned with the cutting of the anniversary cake, led by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon.SethEmmanuel Terkper and supported by the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deans, and Directors.
The event, themed “Sustainable Steps Towards Securing the Environment: Five Years of Achievements, Challenges and Progress,” was moderated by the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong. It was attended by members of the University Council, Management, Deans, senior and junior staff, and students, UESD partners, traditional rulers from the area, the services sector and invited special guests including former Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, the Principal of Mount Mary College of Education, Prof. Kennedy Alatinga; ACP Kofi Sarpong, a renowned gospel musician.
In an address, Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon Seth Emmanuel Terkper, expressed gratitude to members of Management for their dedication and hard work and noted that the anniversary theme aptly reflects the University’s journey over the past five years. Hon. Terkper emphasised that UESD’s growth from modest beginnings into a thriving public University is a remarkable achievement. He extended special appreciation to the chiefs and queen mothers of the Yilo Krobo Traditional Council for releasing land and creating an enabling environment for the establishment and growth of the University. The Council Chairman also commended the Vice-Chancellor for his leadership and acknowledged the foundational role played by the first Governing Council. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges confronting the University.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko Sampson, expressed pride in the University’s progress since its establishment in 2020. He highlighted that UESD was founded at a critical time in response to growing global environmental and sustainability challenges. He outlined key achievements over the past five years, including the introduction of accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, significant growth in student enrolment, improved national and global University rankings.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson further highlighted UESD’s expanding research output, strategic partnerships with more than 50 local and international institutions, the organisation of annual sustainability-focused conferences, the successful graduation of pioneer and subsequent cohorts, and impactful community outreach initiatives such as the Nkabom Collaborative Project and Community-Based Experience Learning (CoBEL). He acknowledged challenges facing the University, particularly infrastructure deficits, funding constraints, and delays in ongoing construction projects, but reaffirmed UESD’s resilience and determination to overcome them. The Vice-Chancellor expressed gratitude to the Government, staff, students, partners, and host communities, and called for renewed commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration as the University enters its next phase of growth.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. Gloria Djaney Djagbletey, Principal Research Scientist at CSIR who spoke on the anniversary theme, highlighted the interdependence between humans, animals, vegetation, land, air, and water, noting that negative human activities have contributed to environmental challenges such as flooding. Dr. Djaney Djagbletey stressed that although securing the environment comes with challenges, these can be transformed into opportunities with the right focus. She urged UESD to partner with waste management institutions to promote effective recycling and expressed confidence that the University would play a key role in addressing Ghana’s environmental challenges.
In a brief address, the CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, noted that Ghana faces significant environmental challenges and stressed the importance of education as a tool for addressing environmental degradation. She encouraged students to translate the knowledge they acquire into practical problem-solving skills.