The College of Distance Education (CoDE) Alumni Association has been inaugurated at a ceremony on campus with a call on members to support the University of Cape Coast during these times of unprecedented crisis brought on humanity by COVID-19.

The programme was on the theme: "The Role of Distance Education Alumni in Modern Day University Administration".

Marketing drive 

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, urged the Association to liaise with the Institutional Advancement and Rebranding Strategic Team to embark on marketing drives to strengthen the international and regional alumni association of the University. He intimated that a stronger alumni association was highly valued by the University to achieve its vision and mission. 
Prof. Boampong whose speech was read by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh, noted that as part of his vision for the University, he was committed to strengthening existing strategic businesses of the University, adding that “Our new Policy of Business and Entrepreneur Development gives credence to our efforts”. He therefore, called on alumni and other entities to partner the University to create new businesses for mutual benefits. “I encourage our alumni to play major roles by helping and linking the University to attract investors, partners and philanthropists who are willing to support this innovative drive the University has decided to pursue,” he urged.

    The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh, delivering the Vice-Chancellor's speech

Support

According to the Vice-Chancellor, his administration was committed to building a stronger and vibrant UCC Alumni Associations. “We will, therefore, revive regional, national and international branches including the Hall and College Alumni Associations. If these groups become vibrant, they will serve as a catalyst for the formation of a formidable and comprehensive UCC Alumni Association,” he intimated.

Challenges

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Management was aware of the challenges alumni faced in the acquisition of transcripts, attestation and other academic documents from the University. He assured them that steps had been taken to address those issues by developing an online application system which would be ready soon. “Similarly, plans are far advanced to establish complaints offices online, campus and all CoDE Regional Centres to address issues faced by alumni, students, friends and other stakeholders,” he added.

Giving Back

The Interim President of CoDE Alumni Association, Mr. Leonard Kwaku Ahialey, expressed gratitude to the University for bringing quality tertiary education to their doorstep. “With our certificates, we as UCC-CoDE graduates cut across the entire economy of the country with some who are holding high political positions and even others being senior members of this University,” he pointed out.

Mr. Ahialey indicated that the formation of the alumni association was one of the ways to show appreciation and contribute to the development of the University. “We believe that we can do so much for the University with the knowledge UCC has helped us to acquire. 
Recounting how the was Association formed, Mr. Ahialey said in 2014, the then Provost, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, advised leadership of the Distance Education Students Association of Ghana (DESAG-UCC) to take steps to form the Association. Since then, he said some alumni of the College came together and had several discussions with the current Provost who also supported them to bring this dream into reality.

    Interim President of CoDE Alumni Association, Mr. Leonard Kwaku Ahialey

Objectives

Mr. Ahialey said the Association was aimed at encouraging, fostering and promoting close relations between the College and its alumni and among the alumni themselves. He also noted that the alumni group would pull resources to support development activities of the College in particular and the University in general. Among other things, he said the Association would provide and disseminate information regarding the College, its graduates and students to the alumni.

Ambassadors of UCC

The keynote speaker, Prof. Eugene K.M. Darteh, called on members of the Association to act as good ambassadors and project the University to the outside world. “You should stand out and defend the University when others are giving all sorts of negative comments about us especially on social media,” he advised. 
Prof. Darteh who is the Dean of Students urged them to follow the University’s laid down procedures to seek redress on issues affecting students and members of the Association. He seized the opportunity to call on Management to also ensure that students complete their studies as satisfied clients of the University.

    Keynote Speaker, Prof. Eugene K. Maafo Darteh

Unity

In order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Association, he advised the leaders and members to be united and depend on each other. “There should be respect for all especially leadership,” he added.

The Provost of the CoDE, Prof. Isaac K. Galyuon, paid glowing tribute to previous heads of the College especially Prof. George K. T. Oduro for encouraging the students to form the Association. He said graduates of CoDE were making the University proud in all sectors of the Ghanaian economy. He was optimistic that the Association would be vibrant so that it would lead to revitalisation of the national alumni associationof the University.

   Provost of CoDE, Prof. Isaac K. A. Galyuon, speaking at the function

The President of DESAG, Mr. Daniel Nana Dwuma said they would assist to make the Alumni Association functional to the benefit of current and past students of the College. He said they would contribute to the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of reviving alumni groups of the University.

   DESAG President, Mr. Daniel Nana Dwumah speaking at the function

There were solidarity messages from various alumni groups of the University and Prof. George K. T. Oduro.

    Former Provost of CoDE, Prof. George K. T. Oduro speaking at the function

As part of the inauguration, the Pro Vice-Chancellor presented five bicycles donated by an alumnus of CoDE,Mr. Ezekiel Arthur-Mends to brilliant but needy distance education students.

   Presentation of the donated bicycle to DESAG President

Present at the function were the Registrar, Mr. Jeff Onyame, Provost, College of Education Studies, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis; Provost, College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Eric F. Amuquandoh; Director of Audit, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu; CoDE Acting Registrar, Mr. Isaac Eliot Nyieku and some past executives of DESAG.