Twenty-seven graduate from Valley View University

President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday said his government intends to give the necessary encouragement to facilitate the effective growth of private tertiary institutions so that the youth could obtain the requisite training that would enable them to contribute to the development of the nation.

This was in an speech read on his behalf by, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Education, at the seventh Commencement (Graduation) ceremony of the Valley View University (VVU), a private tertiary institution of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) at Oyibi, near Accra.

President Kufuor said private participation in education is very essential because it has the benefit of supplementing the limited government capacity and expanding educational opportunities as well as increasing efficiency and innovation.

"I have, therefore, asked the Minister of Education to create a forum for private providers of tertiary education to articulate their concerns so that we can together come up with strategies to address and promote private participation in tertiary education."

He said currently, students in private tertiary institutions pursuing accredited programmes are entitled to Social Security and National Insurance (SSNIT) loans as their counterparts in public tertiary institutions.

President Kufuor said his government is encouraging private estatedevelopers to put up students' hostels in private tertiary institutions.

President Kufuor called on churches, schools, non-governmentalorganisations (NGOs) and opinion leaders to join the government in educating the public about AIDS and urged the youth not to mortgage their future for a few seconds of fleeting "pleasure" because they are assets to the nation.

President Kufour told the graduates that Ghana needs men and women, who would exhibit integrity in their professions, trades and businesses.

"We need accountants, who are morally and ethically correct, tradesmen whose scales are accurate, artisans, who complete their work on schedule and businessmen, who will not cheat in their transactions."

He urged the graduates to be well equipped to face the challenges that await them in the world outside the campus.

"The world now welcomes you to join hands with others in making our country a better place to live in."

He told them that they are in an era of positive change - a change in our economic circumstances, change in our social image and change in the moral fibre of the country because Ghana is at the portal of economic growth, social stability and moral regeneration.

"If we will get to where we want to go, it will certainly depend on young people like you. Be true to your aim, work hard and autograph your work with excellence.

"If you will be agents for change, you must be able to stand for the truth, be faithful in your service and do not allow yourselves to be corrupted by the system," he concluded.

In his welcome address, Dr Seth A Laryea, President of the University, said the board has approved four degree programmes for the next semester and the University will submit application to the National Accreditation Board for additional degree and diploma programmes.

He said the ceremony this year marks the beginning of a steady increase in the number of graduates. The University experts more than 100 students to graduate from the university next year.

Dr Laryea said the University plans to operate an exchange programme for both faculty and student.

He appealed to the Ghana Water Company to expedite work on the proposed pipeline from Kpong, which is intended to supply water to the Adenta area and the school. He also called on the Electricity Company of Ghana to stabilize the supply of electricity in the area.

"We have lost valuable equipment as a result of power fluctuation within the past month."

Valley View University established at Bekwai in 1983 as training institute for SDA church workers was moved to Adenta before finally being moved to Oyibi as a full-fledge University affiliated to Griggs University, Maryland, USA.

VVU is accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB) Ghana and Accreditation Association of SDA Schools, Colleges and Universities (AAA), Maryland USA.

VVU which currently offers programmes of study in BA (Theological studies), BA (Religious Studies), BA (Accounting Options) and B.Sc. (Computer Science) has a student population of about 400 operates on the semester system and there are two session each academic year. A third session, which is optional, is run between the second and first sessions.

In all 27, including four females, that graduated, 24 were Ghanaians, two Cameroonians and a Liberian. -