Kofi Annan sworn-in as Chancellor of University of Ghana

Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - Ghana's celebrated diplomat, Mr. Kofi Annan was on Monday sworn-in as the second non-Head-of-State Chancellor of the country's premier university, University of Ghana, Legon, an honour, he said, was special to him.

The former United Nation's (UN) Chief would serve for a five-year term and would be eligible for another term.

On hand to perform Mr. Annan's investiture and swearing-in, the highest point of activities marking the University's 60th anniversary, was President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The ceremony attracted a big gathering of high profile personalities including the academia, politicians, diplomats, traditional rulers and captains of industry and was also used to confer Honorary Degrees on 11 other distinguished individuals.

Among them were the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, veteran politician, Dr Paul Acquah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu, the Chief Imam. President Kufuor noted that Mr. Annan's appointment was a justifiable acknowledgement of his services to mankind and said he was confident that under his guidance the University would achieve greater heights.

He urged the entire university community to conduct its affairs in a manner that would sustain the reputation and good name of the former UN Secretary General, which he said was "a brand in itself." "His life should tell our youth that with hard work and good conduct, they can attain the highest pinnacle of glory in any field of endeavour."

President Kufuor announced a 60-million GH Cedi support for the university, to be disbursed in instalments of six million GH Cedis every year for the next 10 years.

He asked that a quarter of the grant should be used to endow a Chair for the study of Responsible, Democratic Governance as a necessary basis for Sound Economic and Social Development.

The remaining should go in to support the general budget of the institution and the establishment of an Institute for the Study of Environment and Sanitation Sciences.

Mr Annan said he was proud to be appointed Chancellor of a University in his country of birth.

He stated that no country progresses today without the universities playing an important role and said the challenge was to work together with determination to take Ghana and Africa forward. Knowledge, he said, was a new frontier of growth, pointing out that there was a co-relation between education and Ghana's strong socio- economic and political performance.

Mr Annan had a word of advice to both the Electoral Commission (EC) and the leadership of the political parties as the nation readied itself for the December general elections. He asked the EC to apply the rules fairly and consistently across board without fear or favour.

To the politicians, he reminded them about the need to moderate their language, noting that, words could heal, console and inspire. At the same time words could create chaos and confusion. He said they had a great responsibility to ensure peaceful, free and fair poll by accepting to play by the rules.

Professor C.N.B. Tagoe, the Vice Chancellor, said Mr Annan's appointment which was unanimously approved by both the Academic Board and University Council would help the growth and development of the university.