University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES) in Bunso in the Eastern Region has held its first graduation ceremony on Friday during which 13 students graduated with honours in Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Science.
The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Lyeo Woon-Ki, who was the guest speaker, underscored the importance of agriculture and environmental management to the development of the country, and lauded the contribution of the college towards training of people in that sector.
He said Ghana was blessed with natural resources and that it was imperative for the country to tap into its resources to change the fortunes of the country with the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
The Ambassador said Ghana has the potential of bridging the development gap, adding that Ghana needed to make use of every available opportunity.
According to Mr.Woon-Ki, Korea’s development started with a campaign for rural development where people in the villages worked with their own resources with support from the government
Ghana, he indicated, could bring about its needed change when “the people are committed to development with their soul and also have concern for their neighbours.”
Prof. Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa , UCAES Council Chairman, for his part, said the college was to provide facilities, functions and academic faculty resources in contemporary studies to students within the core mandate of agriculture and sustainable exploitation and preservation of the ecosystem through the areas of teaching, research and practical dissemination of knowledge.
He expressed concern about the growth of the school, saying “over the past five years the operation and growth of the school had been slow.
He attributed the current situation to factors such as poverty and lack of patronage of potential patrons within the catchment area.
The founder and Chancellor of UCAES, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, urged the graduands to be true ambassadors of the college.
He called on members of the Akyem Abuakwa state to have an obligation towards the college by making contribution to the university.
From Luther King Owusu Amoah, Bunso