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Akuafo Hall launches 70th anniversary celebration in Accra
The Akuafo Hall of the University of Ghana has organized a special launch of its 70th anniversary celebration in Accra.
The year-long anniversary is under the theme “70 Years of Cultivating Excellence: Honouring Legacy, Inspiring Tomorrow.”
The primary goal of the anniversary is to celebrate the hall’s legacy, recognise the contributions of farmers to education and national development, and inspire young people to explore opportunities in agriculture and leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, and Deputy Agric Minister, John Dumelo, said the celebration highlighted the important role agriculture had played in Ghana’s development.
He noted that Akuafo Hall symbolised the strong connection between agriculture and education, adding that the support of farmers in establishing the hall showed how agriculture had contributed to national progress.
Mr. Dumelo explained that the hall had preserved unique traditions, including its chieftaincy system, which reflected Ghana’s cultural heritage and strengthened unity among students.
He said initiatives such as farmers’ markets created opportunities to connect farmers directly to consumers, while helping young people appreciate the value of agriculture.
According to him, agriculture today offered many opportunities through technology, agribusiness and innovation, and young people should see the sector as a pathway to prosperity and national transformation.
Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the anniversary was an important moment for the university to reflect on the achievements of Akuafo Hall over the past seven decades.
She noted that the presence of alumni, students and staff at the event showed the strong bond many people had with the hall and its traditions.
Professor Amfo said the theme of the anniversary aligned with the university’s commitment to academic excellence and leadership development.
She encouraged students to take advantage of the discussions and activities planned during the celebration to learn more about opportunities in agriculture and national development.
Background
Akuafo Hall was established in 1955 at the University of Ghana with financial support from cocoa farmers in the then Gold Coast through the Cocoa Marketing Board.
The hall was officially opened on October 4, 1955, by Ghana’s first Prime Minister, Kwame Nkrumah, and was originally built to accommodate 600 students.
Over the years, it has become known for its strong traditions, including a student chieftaincy system, and continues to play an important role in the academic and social life of the university.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) has announced that an electronic copy of Ghana’s revised National Cultural Policy is now available online for free access by the public and stakeholders in the creative sector.
In a statement issued on June 22, the ministry said the revised policy was officially launched on June 9, 2026, at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
According to the ministry, the decision to upload the document on its official website is aimed at ensuring widespread dissemination, increasing public awareness and promoting the effective implementation of the policy.
The ministry encouraged sector practitioners, stakeholders and members of the public to visit its website and read the document.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, in the spirit of the Black Star Experience, remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and collaborative approach to building the better Ghana we want,” the statement said.
It added that it looks forward to the active participation of stakeholders in implementing the policy for the benefit of the country.
The ministry urged the public to take advantage of the free access to the policy document and familiarise themselves with its contents.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), has arrested the first suspect in connection with a 320-kilogram methamphetamine shipment intercepted in Australia.
According to a statement issued by NACOC on Wednesday, the drugs, valued at about $296 million on the streets, were traced to a storage facility in Girraween, Australia, in April 2026.
The Commission described the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to uncover the criminal syndicate behind the movement and diversion of the drugs.
“NACOC investigators are currently working alongside international partners to track down remaining suspects believed to be part of a wider, multi-jurisdictional network,” the statement said.
The Commission noted that the arrest marks an important step in a coordinated international effort to dismantle a sophisticated transnational drug trafficking syndicate.
It added that intelligence gathered from the arrest would help investigators identify and apprehend other members of the global criminal network.
NACOC reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to protect the region from the activities of large-scale drug trafficking organisations.
The Commission said further arrests are expected as intelligence-led operations continue across several jurisdictions.
By: Jacob Aggrey
