Correspondence from the Eastern Region

The Mount Mary College of Education at Somanya in the Eastern Region, has graduated a new cohort of professional teachers with a strong call on government and stakeholders to intensify investment in research, innovation and infrastructure to sustain quality teacher education in Ghana.

The appeal was made by the Principal of the College, Prof. Kennedy Alatinga, during his address at the institution’s 16th Graduation Ceremony, which also marked the third congregation since the introduction of the four-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme.

The ceremony brought together church leaders, government officials, traditional authorities, parents, guardians, alumni and development partners.



Welcoming guests, Prof. Alatinga described the occasion as deeply personal and symbolic, noting that he graduated from the same institution 27 years ago and was now presiding over the ceremony as Principal.

He congratulated the Class of 2024 for successfully completing years of academic work marked by discipline, sacrifice and perseverance, describing graduation as “a moment of victory after long periods of dedication.”

Reflecting on the theme, “Sustaining Quality Teacher Education Through Research and Innovation,” Prof. Alatinga stressed that modern teaching demands more than content delivery. He explained that teachers today must be reflective, research-oriented and innovative, capable of nurturing critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills among learners. According to him, the quality of any nation’s education system ultimately depends on the quality of its teachers.



He linked the theme to national efforts such as the Ghana National Research Fund, emphasizing that research enables teachers to understand learner needs, test new teaching strategies and continuously improve classroom practice.

Innovation, he added, allows educators to integrate technology and learner-centred approaches that respond to the demands of 21st-century education, particularly in the face of concerns about student performance at the secondary level.

Prof. Alatinga highlighted Mount Mary College of Education’s legacy as a pioneer institution in the training of French teachers and one of the country’s respected teacher training colleges. He noted that the achievements of its alumni across Ghana and beyond reflect the institution’s enduring commitment to discipline, integrity and academic excellence.

The Principal outlined key achievements over the past academic year, including the completion of PhD programmes by seven lecturers and the ongoing doctoral studies of 19 others, developments he said have strengthened the College’s academic leadership and research capacity. He also announced the reintroduction of regular seminar presentations to deepen research culture, alongside expanded activities by the College’s Research Unit.

Students, he noted, performed strongly in practicum activities and national assessments, while also participating in innovation projects and community engagements.

Non-teaching staff were also commended for pursuing further studies to enhance service delivery. On infrastructure, Prof. Alatinga cited improvements such as the completion of a modern washroom facility, renovation of staff bungalows and progress on a Language Laboratory project.

Despite these gains, the Principal drew attention to persistent challenges, including the absence of a dedicated French Language Laboratory, inadequate lecture halls, limited staff accommodation, weak security due to the lack of a perimeter fence, and the shortage of official vehicles for supervision and administration.

He appealed to the Ministry of Education, GTEC and GETFund to support the completion of critical projects, provide vehicles and assist with a state-of-the-art French Language Laboratory. In his charge to the graduands, Prof. Alatinga urged them to teach with passion, integrity and innovation, reminding them that the future of Ghana’s children rests in their hands.

The Chairman of the Governing Council, Most Rev. Dr. John Kobina Louis, in his remarks, congratulated the graduands and formally declared the 16th Congregation duly constituted. He encouraged the new teachers to uphold the College’s motto, Virtus et Scientia (Character and Knowledge), as they begin their professional journey.

The ceremony concluded with expressions of gratitude to parents, staff and stakeholders, reaffirming Mount Mary College of Education’s commitment to shaping competent and responsible educators for national development.