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Quality Assurance key to educational transformation- WAAQAN President
The President for the West African Anglophone Quality Assurance Network(WAAQAN) Prof. Kayode Adekeye has said, quality assurance is key to educational transformation in Africa.
Delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of three-day maiden WAAQAN Conference at the Regional Maritime University(RMU) in Accra on Monday, he explained that quality assurance was essential in ensuring effective and efficient education at higher institutions of learning across the continent.
He said, registration, academics, staff recruitment, examination conducts, mode of course delivery as well as the issuance of transcripts to students, would require quality assurance drivers to ensure that there are instruments in place for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of all operations for quality deliverables.
Consequently, he said WAAQAN since 2019 had trained over 60 individuals to become quality assurance drivers in various African countries.
“All stakeholders of our institutions should taking into consideration, quality assurance managers as they are at the center of healthy institutions,” he said.
He commended management of RMU for hosting the conference as it would present a learning opportunity for all stakeholders and essentially translate into quality education within tertiary institutions.
“Let as fix the processes within the system with quality assurance and the products would come out as the best,” he stated.
The Ag. Vice Chancellor of the RMU, Dr Jethro W. Brooks Jr said the collaboration between the WAAQAN and RMU was a testament to the power of partnership in advancing quality assurance in the sub-region.
“Through initiatives such as this conference, we can pool collective knowledge and experience, learn from one another and build a stronger and higher education system in West Africa,” he stated.
“As we move forward, let us remain committed to the principles of quality, accountability and continuous improvement. Let is work together to ensure that our respective institutions can serve as grounds where students can thrive, where faculty can innovate and where knowledge can be created and shared for the betterment of our sub-region,” he added.
By working together he said, they could influence policy at the national and regional levels, advocate for the resources and support needed to sustain quality assurance efforts and ensure that institutions were recognised for their commitment to excellence.
“By strengthening our internal quality assurance systems, we can position our institutions as leaders in the global academic community. We can produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished, but are also equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the global marketplace in whatever sphere of endevour” he stressed.
The conference under the theme, “Sharing Experiences on Internal Quality Assurance in Anglophone West African Countries Higher Education Institutions (HEIs),” brought together practitioners from Nigeria, Liberia, the Gambia, Sierra Leone and Ghana, to share experiences, provide solutions to quality assurance challenges and enhance quality education to meet international standards.
Opening the conference, the Deputy Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Nigeria Dr Noel Biodun Saliu said, the importance of quality assurance in education could not be underestimated.
The conference he said, was crucial as it would enlighten participants on the premium placed on quality assurance as the driver for growth at every sector.
“Let us collaborate effectively and ensure that we bring everyone on board as we seek to provide quality services within our institutions,” he stated.
In his presentation, the Director General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, Prof.Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai also expressed government’s commitment to ensuring quality education across the country.
He therefore called on all stakeholders within the education sector to make conscious efforts of providing quality services at all times.
Michael D. Abayateye
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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