As part of the educational tour, the students were met by Chief Executive Officer of GMA, Mr. Ernest Boateng, who urged them to use digital platforms and every opportunity available to harness their skills while in school.

He said GMA welcomes such initiatives as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to introduce PR students to the practical side of PR practice.

Interacting with the students, Director of GMA, Ms. Emma Wenani, said GMA is the agency of choice to learn from, owing to its world class clientele, international awards, and wealth of experience across various industries.

“GMA has won the coveted IPR consultancy of the year award three times: first in 2013, 2015 and 2016 concurrently. Aside that, GMA has won Africa Best Employer Brand 2017 awarded by World HRD Congress, Best PR Agency in Corporate Communications 2016 awarded by the International Public Relations Association, among others.”

In the course of the presentations, the students expressed a general appreciation for GMA’s current PR strategies used to execute key PR account campaigns.

“We never knew this amount of work went into the campaigns that we see and read about”, one student said.

On behalf of the students, Kenneth Aidam, President of PReMSA, thanked the management and staff of GMA for their warm reception and making their departmental week celebrations a success.

“We look forward to more partnerships with GMA where students can freely learn the best PR practices from the team at GMA. We are most grateful once again for the opportunity.”

Global Media Alliance is a focused Integrated Media & Entertainment Company with 20 years of experience and expertise in Broadcasting, Public Relations and Media Consultancy, Events Management, Creative Services, Digital and Brand Marketing.

GMA is one of the leading PR Consultancies in the country with experience in the diverse segments of the public relations industry.

GMA is affiliated to Weber Shandwick and Fleishman Hillard, two of the top 5 PR firms in the world.

–

Source: Global Media Alliance

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The legal officer of the School, Fortunate Fio, has said they will resort to a legal action if the management of the fuel station fails to provide documents to prove their claims that their operation wasapproved by all stakeholders including the school’s authorities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”l6ljrv2ZhDFTOLDBDAGXdTYOUqoru4K8″]Speaking on Eyewitness News, he said the school is determined to protect its interest and the lives of thousands of students who feel threatened by the operations of the fuel station right behind the campus, especially after last Saturday’s gas explosion incident at Atomic Junction near Madina in Accra.

The school several months ago raised questions over the siting of the fuel station, while the facility was still under construction.

They argued that the fuel station, in the event of an explosion will claim the lives of many students and staff that have hitherto taught and studied in a safe environment.

Mr. Fio said, “our lawyers requested for the minutes of the report that they claim they have submitted to the state agencies [Environmental Protection Agency and National Petroleum Authority], and the signatories that they claim attended that meeting. Up to today, they have not provided us with this report or the signatories. How can they conclude that we [UPSA] are satisfied and closure has been brought to the matter.”

“We have the right to proceed to court to vindicate our right once we are making demands for the documents and they are not coming. The students are entitled to do whatever they are doing, and they have the right to do that….We as an institution will not sit down to see any death on campus before any action will be taken by the state.”

In the meantime, he noted that, the students will petition the president, Nana Akufo-Addo over the matter, and invite him to intervene to prevent what appears to be a looming crisis.

“The students will petition His Excellency [President Akufo-Addo] to ensure that the right things are done,” Mr. Fio said.

UPSA students demonstrate against ‘dangerous’ fuel station 

Scores of students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Monday staged a demonstration on campus against the siting of a fuel station close to the school.

The students, who have been protesting the siting of the fuel station since January 2017, claiming that it poses a threat to their lives following the gas explosion that occurred at Atomic Junction last Saturday, killing 7 and injuring 132 others.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The students have been protesting the siting of the fuel station since January 2017, claiming that it poses a threat to their lives.

They however ignited the protest today [Monday],  following the gas explosion that occurred at Atomic Junction last Saturday, killing 7 and injuring 132 others.

The management of the University of Professional Studies, UPSA, has backed the action by the students.

According to the head of environmental safety at UPSA, Maxwell Buaka, the top priority for the University’s management was the safety of the students, and that the Strategic Energies Limited (SEL) station at the site threatens that safety.

He said they have made several efforts through various stakeholders for the fuel station to be relocated, but authorities have failed to listen to their cries.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the head of environmental safety at UPSA, Maxwell Buaka, the top priority for the University’s management was the safety of the students, and that the Strategic Energies Limited (SEL) station at the site threatens that safety.

[contextly_sidebar id=”wArLHbqIBjVoxZSniHgLF41kvlEb4jRm”]He insisted that even though they had not received official notification of the planned action by the students, the school would back them.

“I’ve not spoken to our registrar nor our Vice-Chancellor to know the SRC’s communication, but as and when they want to do something about the filling station, I’m ready to support them,” Maxwell Buaka said.

“We are at UPSA because of the students, if the school does not exist, I would not be there. Whatever will be done to protect the health and safety of our students, management per our mission and vision will also do same in order to protect the students.”

The siting of petrol and gas stations in densely populated residential and commercial areas has been brought under the spotlight again following the explosion at a gas station at Atomic Junction on Saturday which has claimed seven lives so far.

The station, which is located close to the University of Ghana and the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, went up in a ball of flame, forcing some students and residents of the area to flee.

Fearing the same fate befalling them in the future, the students of UPSA have decided to take the matter into their own hands and force the station owners to relocate the building by picketing there.

Mr. Buaka stated that, repeated efforts to get the station located, including meetings with the owners had been rebuffed.

“It’s an undeniable fact that we have a fuel station called Strategic Energies Limited (SEL) sited at the Northern Wing of the UPSA which poses a serious threat to the lives of students, our infrastructure and residents as well. The SRC and management of the school have met with the [owner of the station], who happens to be one of the lead members in the petroleum sector – Mr. Blagogee, and we explained the potential hazards it poses. Elsewhere there are precautions with comprehensive firefighting tools like carbon bombs which can be released into infernos to curtail fires, we don’t have that. Look at what happened on Saturday. As an institution, we have always advocated strongly for that station to be closed,” he said.

He also revealed that letters to the District Assembly had gone unanswered, and that the NPA had not given any satisfactory responses to their queries about the location of the station.

“We led a serious campaign to force the EPA and its sister regulatory administrations to have the place closed, but they were very adamant in their responses, indicating that safety precautions have been taken,” he added.

“Our position is that, no human being can curtail infernos when it sparks and therefore proximity to human establishments is very key and there must be a closure of this station. When we wrote to the Municipal Assembly, they never replied to any of our correspondences. EPA gave us some responses which were inadequate and hollow.”

In January 2017, the University vowed to close the station down on their own if prompt measures were not taken to close it.

“We the Students’ Representative Council of the UPSA, are unequivocally protesting against the siting and operation of the fuel station in question, which is too close to the University community,” a statement from the students said.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He explained that this would facilitate the smooth functioning of the universities in order to produce the needed manpower for the nation’s socio-economic development.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gxDL2GI9DLP3vjJvOAFNqE1SBgFm832W”]Prof Amartey made the appeal over the weekend in his maiden address at the Ninth Congregation of the UPSA, on the theme: “Celebrating Professional and Scholarly Excellence for Accelerated Nation Building.”

Prof Amartey said: “We have received instructions from the Ministry of Finance that all public universities are required to cede 34 per cent of their IGF to government.”

“It is noteworthy that apart from staff emolument and funding of very few projects the government provides; the University of Professional Studies, like other public universities, has to rely heavily on IGF for its operations,” the Vice Chancellor said.

“What makes the matter worse for the University of Professional Studies, in particular, is that while every public university was started with some seed money, our University was not fortunate enough to have enjoyed such a largesse from government,” he added.

He explained that the implication was that the University had to rely mainly on IGF to develop its physical infrastructure facilities for research, teaching and learning, as well as the provision of office equipment and other facilities.

“From the foregoing, parting away with 34 per cent of IGF will have dire consequences on the finances of this University.

“I wish therefore, to humbly appeal that government takes a second look at this matter and allow public universities to keep the entire 100 per cent of the IGF for the smooth functioning of the universities in order to produce the needed manpower for this country,” he remarked.

Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Education in a speech read on his behalf announced that government had directed all public universities to reverse their fees to that of the 2016/2017 academic year, until Parliament determined the new fees in line with the Fees Act.

Dr Opoku Prempeh said this new directive was to enable the public universities reopen on time for the 2017/2018 academic year.

He said the concerns expressed by the public universities on the Finance Ministry’s directive that all public universities were required to cede 34 per cent of the IGF to the government was receiving due attention.

The event was under the sponsorship of the UMB, Access Bank, United Pension Trustees Limited, Excellence Business College, Ideal Financial Services and SIC Life as its sponsors.

At the congregation an honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament; Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs; and Dr Nii Kotei Dzani, the Chief Executive Officer of Ideal Group and the Greater Accra Regional Representative on the Council of State.

The confinement of the honorary doctorate degrees on the trio was in recognition of their contributions towards Ghana’s socio-economic development and their outstanding achievements in the field of endeavours.

A total of 4,007 students graduated, which is the highest in the history of the University.

Of the number, there were 280 diplomates, 3,255 undergraduate and 472 postgraduate students.

At the undergraduate level, a total of 41, representing 1.26 per cent of the graduating class obtained first class degrees; 783, representing 24.06 per cent with second class upper degrees; 1,204, representing 36.99 per cent with second class lower degrees; and 916, representing 28.14 per cent went home with third class.

For the diplomates, seven, representing 2.50 per cent attained distinction, while 136 obtained credit and 137 got pass.

Mr Bagbin, on behalf of his colleagues awardees expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of the UPSA for the honour done them.

He said the award would go a long way to motivate them to do more for mother Ghana.

On his part, Dr Dzani, himself an alumnus of the UPSA announced that the Ideal Group would set a scholarship scheme at the UPSA, which would sponsor 10 students annually.

He also announced that the Group would grant 10 automatic employment opportunities to graduates from UPSA.

Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, UPSA Chancellor, who presided over the Congregation, advised the graduating students to be innovative to create opportunities for themselves and others.

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Source: GNA

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He observed that ‘the indiscriminate dismissal, termination or appointments and proceed on leave orders to workers perceived to be sympathizers of the now opposition NDC does not bode well for the peace and security of the country’.

Mr Mensah these comments in his address last Saturday as a guest speaker at the grand durbar of the 63rd Afenorto festival of the Chiefs and people of Mepe in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region.

According to NDC stalwart, Ghanaians “expect a government that is even handed, fair, equitable and responsive to our needs” and “a government that recognizes the significant size of the youth in today’s society and develops action programs to harness their energies, potentials and talents into a productive force for self and nation.’

He thanked the Chiefs and people of the area for the warm invitation extended to him to celebrate the festival with them. The former La Dadekotopon legislator also used the occasion to commend the chiefs and people of Mepe for the continuous celebration of the Afenorto festival for sixty-three years and also praised them for the successes and progress that they have collectively chalked as a community.

He also expressed his gratitude to the people of the area for voting massively for the NDC in the December 2016 elections and assured them of the party’s commitment to developing the area more when it comes back to power.

The Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr Kofi Dzamesi; deputy minister of health, Hon Tina Mensah; North Tongu Member of Parliament, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; and  Korle Klottey MP  Hon. Zanetor Rawlings graced the occasion.

The occasion was chaired by Prof. Joshua Alabi, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

The Afenorto festival, meaning “Period of Rest at Home”, is celebrated annually to renew the sense of oneness of the Chiefs and people of Mepe. This year’s climax of the celebration brought together thousands of people who thronged the durbar ground after a rich display of culture by the five clans and their chiefs in a procession through the principal streets of the town.

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By citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The students were found to have paid an individual to hack into the university’s database, to manipulate their grades for the 2015/2016 academic year.

The dismissed students reportedly paid between to GHc 2,000 to GHc 4,000, to have their grades changed, and were set to graduate later in 2017.

News of the dismissals follows the arrest of some 20 persons by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), for attempting to hack the University of Ghana website to change the grades of students.

The University of Professional Studies, has assured that the decision to expel the 22 students was taken without prejudice to any criminal investigation.

In a Citi News interview, the Registrar of the University, Dr. Seidu Mohammed Mustapha, said the integrity of the university was at stake, hence the need to “take these measures in order that they serve as a deterrent. So the Academic Board met and took a decision and decided that all of them should be expelled.”

Seven of the 22 dismissed students had their pictures published on the school’s website as a further sanction, because they did not aid investigations into the matter, according to Dr. Mustapha.

In the meantime, police are investigating the matter, whiles the alleged hacker has been granted bail.

The registrar noted that, the alleged hacker “reported himself to the police and was given bail, and it was through that we requested to interact with him. He has since cooperated with the committee and showed remorse.”

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By: Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Students of the school have been protesting the location of the station close to the school, over fears of a possible explosion.

[contextly_sidebar id=”m0ioqwlIHtCqoUR6ll0ujX2SBX4xm6Rm”]The Managing Director of SEL, Johnny Blagogee, told Citi News’ Caleb Kudah in an earlier interview that the former Vice Chancellor had permitted the construction of the facility, however, in a sharp contrast, the former Vice Chancellor said Mr. Blagogee rather disrespected the concerns of the school.

“One time my registrar told me that the man came to his office and he told the man [Mr. Blagogee] he disagrees with him and that he shouldn’t do it [build the fuel service station behind the school]. So if the registrar who is the main administrator told you that, and you still went on to do the construction, I think that this is just a matter of disrespect to the University community.”

Prof. Alabi further expressed doubt he had any direct interaction with Mr. Blagogee, during which he sanctioned the construction.

Following recent cases of fuel station explosions in the country that has claimed many lives, students of UPSA have intensified their campaign to stop the operations of the SEL fuel station behind their school.

The students have blamed the La-Nkwantanan-Madina Municipal Assembly (LANMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) for shirking their responsibility and putting their lives in danger, by permitting the operations of the fuel station.

A source at LANMA said the construction only commenced after the VC approved it, although the assembly was hesitant in granting the permit.

Prof. Joshua Alabi however discredited the claim, urging the relevant agencies to engage the school on the matter.

“I don’t think my registry wrote that it is okay. We don’t have the right to okay the construction of the fuel station. What we did was to write to the agencies to go and check for us. We could be wrong in stopping the man. We are looking at it from the safety angle; but we are not the agency responsible for that. So we wrote to them [EPA], but when we write to them, they need to come and discuss whatever they find with us. But we have not had any serious response from them,” Prof. Alabi said.

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By: Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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“We the Students’ Representative Council of the UPSA, are unequivocally protesting against the siting and operation of the fuel station in question, which is too close to the University community,” the statement said.

It noted that the SEL fuel station is 5 meters behind a mosque and 3 meters adjacent to a 3000-seater capacity auditorium all under construction for the school.

In the wake of gas/fuel explosions and fire outbreaks, it feared the lives of the nearly 3000 students who use the school’s walkway 3 meters away from the fuel station are in danger.

The Environmental Protection Agency EPA, requires fuel service stations to cite fuel pumps at a minimum of 30 meters away from adjoining residential buildings.

But addressing a press conference yesterday, the student leaders accused the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of failing to hold the owners of the Strategic Energy Limited (SEL) to this requirement.

“Regrettably, the EPA has still not responded to the school’s request [why the school was exempted from stakeholder consultations with residents in the area].

Together with other student bodies like the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) , among others, they threatened to close down the facility on their own, if their calls for it to be decommissioned fall on deaf ears.

“We are sending this strong signal today that if measures are not taken to close down the fuel station, the leadership will organize the students to picket at the EPA, NPA and the La-Nkwantanan Madina Municipality. We will also embark on several demonstrations to register our protests until the various authorities at the EPA and NPA take the necessary action to save our lives. We may be forced to defend ourselves by closing down the fuel station on our own” Sydney Quartey the SRC President warned.

But speaking to Citi News the Managing Director of Strategic Energy Limited (SEL) Johnny Blagogee argued that he has not broken any regulations adding the facility meets all international safety regulations.

“I don’t think we have broken any rules. We sent our drawings and documents to the relevant authorities and they have given us our permit. Our pumps are within the allowable distances from the houses in question. We have put in high safety equipment to prevent any spillage. We also have leak detectors installed on the lines so that should there be any leakage there will be a beep and we then we will attend to it immediately. We have even gone further to install the hydrant which is the only hydrant in the area at the facility so that should there be any the fire tenders can easily get water and attend to situations” he said.

Johnny Blagogee who is also the Chairman of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies discredited any rumours suggesting he used his clots to buy his way through.

He told Citi News that the out gone Municipal Chief Executive for the La-Nkwatanang-Madina Municipality Mr. Franklin Anku was very strict with him even after the EPA and NPA granted him permit. He revealed that the MCE consented to the building of the facility after the former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Joshua Alabi okayed it.

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By: Caleb Kudah/citifmonine.com/Ghana

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Prof Amartey took over from Prof Joshua Alabi, who retired after completing his second four year tenure as the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the UPSA.

The Chancellor of the UPSA, Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, administered the oath of office to Prof. Amartey.

The event was witnessed by ministers of state, members of parliament, members of the clergy, traditional rulers, representatives from sister institutions, members of the UPSA Council, staff and students of the university and family members of the new VC.

Prof Amartey, in his inaugural address, expressed his gratitude to the Almighty God for his grace and blessings for how far he had brought him.

“My sincere gratitude also goes to the Governing Council of UPSA for the trust reposed in me and appointing me to assume the leadership of this great University,” he said.

“I wish to pay tribute to my predecessor, Prof Joshua Alabi, for his foresight, insight and far sight in bringing this University from its humble beginning to the enviable position it has attained,” he added.

Prof Amartey said the high standard set by his predecessor in terms of working towards the realisation of the mission and vision of the UPSA could not be overemphasised.

“Accordingly, expectations are high with respect to completing the process of transforming this university into a world class institution of higher learning,” he said.

“The good news is: we are ready, God being our helper.”

Prof Amartey outlined his vision for the UPSA for the next four years which would be anchored on four broad strategic goals that had found expression in the new strategic plan of the university.

These include enhanced institutional image and environment, improved institutional effectiveness, promoting research, and competing in global higher education environment.

He said UPSA Management under his leadership would invest in staff training and development and create a culture of institutional ownership.

“The shared values of UPSA namely integrity, respect and service will continue to be our watch words,” the VC said.

Earlier Drolor Bosso Adamtey I urged the new Vice Chancellor to carry on with the good works of Prof Alabi in moving UPSA forward by building on the foundation and structure which had been laid.

Prof Alabi, in his handing over note, said: “As I hand over the Barton to Prof Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, this occasion should remind us all of the generations that have built the university and our collective responsibility towards building a more vibrant and progressive institution that will shape the future of higher education in Ghana, Africa and the world”.

“The evolution process of the UPSA provides substantial evidence for the anticipated success,” he said.

Prof Alabi said: “It is heart warming to mention that I exit at a time when we have paid for all our development projects, apart from the Auditorium and Students Centre, which are currently ongoing and I am leaving behind a cash of about GH₵16 million at the bank”.

Prof Alabi thanked the Lord for the gracious and rare opportunity given him to serve his alma mater in the high office of VC.

He commended the UPSA Council, Management, staff and students for their support during his eight year tenure.

He thanked his wife, Prof Goski Alabi, the Dean of the Centre for International Education and Collaboration, for the support and encouragement.

Prof Amartey joined the UPSA 10 years ago as a lecturer of the Department of Marketing.

He was among the first batch of lecturers employed to augment the staff strength of the faculty when the degree programme was introduced.

Prof Amartey holds a PhD in Business Administration from the SMC University of Switzerland, Master of Philosophy in Marketing, a Master of Business Administration (Marketing option) and Bachelor of Arts (Economics Major) all from the University of Ghana.

He is a product of the Saint Thomas Secondary School, Accra and Prempeh College, Kumasi.

Prof Amartey is 49 years of age and is married with three children.

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Source: GNA

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