The Department of English under the Faculty of Arts at the University of Cape Coast has begun a 3-Day Commemorative Conference to give deserving recognition to the first ever female Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for her meritorious contributions to the Department and the University.
The Conference which is on the theme, “Language and Literature: Tradition and Transformation” is also in honour of the Former Dean of Graduate Studies, Prof. Lawrence Owusu Ansah and the Former Director of Centre for International Education, Professor Kwadwo Opoku-Agyemang.
Professor Joseph Benjamin Archibald Afful who is Head of the English Department indicated that the decision to honour these three distinguished professors stems from the fact that a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for.
According to him, the professors are being celebrated and eulogized “for lifting the name of the Department, the Faculty of Arts and the University of Cape Coast within the Committee of International Scholars and researchers through their immense and meritorious contribution.”
These three retired professors from the UCC English Department are known to be Distinguished Scholars in Language and Literary Studies.
Prof Owusu Ansah, Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang, and Prof Kwadwo Opoku-Agyemang took turns to address the gathering respectively.
Prof Ansah said, “This is beyond my expectation. When I first came to this University in 1984 as an Assistant Lecturer, I never thought that a day like this would come. In fact, I was so overwhelmed by the content of my Appointment letter because it announced at the time that my retirement was 32 years away and I thought it would never come but before long I was sixty and it had arrived.”
On her part, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was grateful for have being part of the Department of English at the University of Cape Coast.
“I am very grateful for that opportunity that has allowed the few gifts I have had in me placed freely, that those gifts have also impacted others and for that I am grateful,” she stressed.
Professor Kwadwo Opoku-Agyemang was however of the view that as lecturers, they thrived because of their students.
“To keep things honest I think it is important to say that as teachers, as lecturers we are all here really because of the students and if you keep this little thought in mind everything falls in its rightful place,” he noted.
While undertaking his vocation in the Department of English, it is said that Prof. Kwadwo Owusu-Agyemang always provided a relaxed environment for his students and his colleagues alike.
Explaining the reason behind his action, he said “if you are to properly fertilize the mind of the student. You have to get them relaxed.”
Many, who have been impacted by the honourees were also given the opportunity to express their profound appreciation to them.
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Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
