A total of 200 students from the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) and the School of Sustainable Development of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region have completed their studies and have been awarded degrees for their programmes of study. 

The graduates consisted of 120 males and 80 females, of which 38 graduated with first class, 73 had second class upper, 50 had second class lower, 28 had third class and 11 had ordinary pass.

Thirty-seven different categories of awards were received by the graduating students, with Christabel Kekeli Ama Acolor, who studied Bachelor of Sciences in Water Resources Development, being the overall best graduating student.

UESD, which was established by Act 898 (2015) and inaugurated on August 5, 2020, has, as its mandate, to provide higher education, conduct research and disseminate knowledge in environment, agribusiness and sustainable development while fostering national and international collaborations. It operates as a multi-campus institution, with its main campus at Somanya and another expected to begin at Donkorkrom in Afram Plains.

The programme was on the theme: “From knowledge to action: Advancing Environmental stewardship and societal transformation”.

Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, the guest of honour, who was represented by the former Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea Kubi, said the establishment of UESD was a visionary act and dear to the nation.

He said in the world grappling with climate change, environmental degradation and social inequality, UESD stands as Ghana’s deliberate and strategic response, saying, “Your very existence is intertwined with our nation’s determined quest to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” 

Role of UESD

He noted that the government was deeply aware that UESD is critical to the national development agenda and the government was, therefore, committed to supporting the growth through investments in infrastructure, laboratories, faculty development, research funding and opportunities for graduate placement.

He, therefore, advised management of the university to forge partnerships among academia, civil society, industry and local communities to maximise impact.

The Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, in his report, said the university, in its five years of existence, had made remarkable strides.

He said the institution had grown in both numbers and reputation, cultivating graduates who were making meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability, policy formulation and community development.

Resetting drive

The Chief Executive, Tree Crops Development, Dr Andy Osei Okrah, said the graduates were passing out at a time the nation had been put on the resetting drive and they must come out with the needed passion and determination to rewrite all our environmental wrongs.