Two New College Masters at the University of Ghana
Posted by R. J. O’Hara for the Collegiate Way
25 May 2004 (collegiateway.org) — The University of Ghana has a number of residential colleges established on the Oxford-Cambridge model, a testament to the international character of residential college life and organization. New head-of-house appointments were recently made in two of these colleges, including Volta Hall:
Dr (Mrs). Clara Opare Obisaw has been installed as Warden of the Volta Hall of the University of Ghana.
She received the mace of office from outgoing Warden, Dr (Mrs). Irene Odotei after taking her vows at a ceremony in Volta Hall dubbed the “Hall of Vision and Style”, amid singing of church hymns, dancing and sounding of horns and drums.
The officiating ministers were Rev. H.A. Oppong, Director of the Department of Ecumenical and Social Relations of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and Rev (Dr). A.A. Akrong, Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of African Studies and Chaplain of Volta Hall, and now Master of Legon Hall.
Hall officials, Deputy Warden—Dr. Elizabeth Acheampong, Senior Tutor—Prof. Docea Fianu, Hall Bursar—Mrs. Grace Bentil, President of the Senior Common Room—Dr (Mrs). Esther Sakyi-Dawson, President of the Junior Common Room—Naa Dodua Dodoo and a Representative of the Hall Staff—Mr. Michael Sunu, all swore oaths of allegiance and cooperation to the new Warden.
Giving words of exhortation to the new Warden, a Senior Presbyter of the Covenant Presby Church, Dzorwulu, and former National President of GHACOE Women’s Ministry, Mrs. Juliana Opuni said the underlying secret to success was love and compassion.
She advised Mrs. Opare-Obisaw to be humble, and to be a role-model, whilst exercising oversight over the Staff, students and Senior Members of the Hall.
The Ghana Dance Ensemble and the Assemblies of God Church Choir were in attendance, the latter giving a rendition of “Adom bi wo Yesu mu” which saw many guests singing and dancing.
The guests at the ceremony included the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mr. A.T. Konu, the Director of Finance, Mr. J.E. Minlah, Volta Hall Council Members, Deans, Heads of Department, and Alumni of the Volta Hall.
And also Legon Hall:
Emeritus Prof. Ebenezer Laing, Most Senior Fellow of the Hall has declared Rev. Dr. Akrong duly installed as the 13th Master of the Premier Hall for a three year tenure in an impressive ceremony at the Legon Hall Chapel. He succeeds Mr. Kwesi Jonah.
In an address, Prof. Laing said the duties of the Hall Master, which included making provisions for the “good government and discipline of the Hall”, as well as presiding over Hall Council and Fellows meetings, was an onerous responsibility, adding that the Hall faced many problems, including inadequate water supply and poor sanitary facilities.
He therefore asked for the qualities of “courage of conviction, fairness, tact and composure” of Rev. Dr. Akrong in the discharge of his duties, so as to help restore the Hall “to its former glory”.
He described Rev. Dr. Akrong as having the wealth of experience and youthful energy needed for the Office and hoped Rev. Dr. Akrong’s tenure would be a memorable one.
The Officiating Minister was the Rev. Prof. Elom Dovlo of the Department For The Study of Religions.
In his sermon, the Legon Hall Chapel Warden, Rev. Dr. B.Y. Quarshie said that christians, when appointed to lead, often said they were chosen by God. He said such understanding often had implications, one of which was for such christian leaders to sacrifice themselves to seek the interests of the people they led.
The recital of “The Song of Akrong (Thus Saith the Lord)” by Prof. Atukwei Okai was one of the highlights of the ceremony.
The Ghana Dance Ensemble thrilled the guests with traditional dances, including the Registrar, Mr. A.T. Konu, the Director of Finance, Mr. J.E. Minlah, the Vice-Master of Legon Hall, Mr. M.A.K. Gyasi, the Senior Tutor, Dr. E.Y. Danquah, the President of the Senior Common Room, Mr. Daniel O. Baidoo, as well as Alumni executives.
In attendance was the Police Church Junior Choir, and the Peace Combo Band.
