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Universities, Zoomlion launch nationwide disinfection exercise
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu has announced plans by the university to invest in e-learning to be able to admit more free senior high school graduates.
He said it was imperative to consider online as a useful tool to addressing accommodation challenges that confronted most tertiary institutions in Ghana.
Prof. Owusu was speaking at the launch of a nationwide disinfection of all tertiary institutions by Zoomlion Ghana Limited at the University of Ghana yesterday.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the use of online in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus disease in Ghana for teaching and learning activities had yielded positive result and asked other universities to utilise it.
It is recalled that teaching and learning activities came to a halt in March, 2020 following the outbreak of the disease also known as (COVID-19).
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo subsequently lockdown Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of efforts to contain the virus.
Few weeks ago, the President eased restrictions on the mitigation factors including the order for final year university students to return to school.
Learning does not only take place in a physical space, Prof. Owusu observed and stated that Ghana needed to adopt strategic measures if it was to catch up with the rest of the world.
Importantly, Prof. Owusu who is the chairman of Vice Chancellors Ghana, said students should observe social distancing protocols, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers, use face masks and regularly wash hands with soap under running water.
Prof. Owusu appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to organise fumigation of students’ hostels to rid them of bed bugs.
For his part, Dr Prempeh said the disinfection would take place at public and private tertiary institutions including basic schools.
Responding to the request for fumigation, Dr Prempeh said he would help in that regard.
While thanking Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its tremendous support towards the promotion of good hygienic practices, he urged them to continue to provide quality services.
Mrs Florence Larbi, the Managing Director of Zoomlion said the company had deployed motorised boom sprayers and knapsack to rid viruses, fungi, bacteria and other vector causing diseases.
She said Zoomlion offered its disinfection/ fumigation exercise at a 50 per cent discount and urged individuals and organisation to take advantage of that.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited had earlier this year, carried out disinfection of markets, lorry stations, drains, schools including specialised facilities such as the Akropong School for the Blind, universities, technical institutions and many others.
The company was executing the project under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Last month, Zoomlion fumigated/disinfected more than 4,000 police facilities nationwide.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
![Dr. Clement Abas Apaak [left] presenting the Overall best student award to master Dzade Kingsley.Photo Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dr.-Clement-Abas-Apaak-left-presenting-the-Overall-best-student-award-to-master-Dzade-Kingsley.Photo-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
The Accra Technical University (ATU), on Friday, held its 25th graduation ceremony in Accra, with a total of 5,016 students receiving degree and diploma certificates across various fields of study.
The graduates were awarded Master of Technology (MTech), Master of Science (MSc), Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Higher National Diploma (HND), Diploma, and Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) certificates.
Out of the total number, 60 students (one per cent) received MSc/MTech certificates, 935 (19 per cent) were awarded BTech degrees, 3,763 (75 per cent) obtained HND certificates, 125 (two per cent) received Diplomas, while 133 students (three per cent) were awarded GAF certificates.
In addition, 59 awards were presented across 11 categories. Kingsley Dzade was adjudged the overall Best Graduation student.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, challenged the graduands to take the lead in emerging technologies.
He noted that as the world continues to evolve, it is essential for graduates to take initiative and help change outdated narratives.
Dr Apaak further urged them to position themselves at the forefront of innovation and national transformation.
“Do not wait for opportunities; create them. Preparedness is not defined solely by what you know. It is defined by what you can do,” he said.
According to him, the government’s ongoing investment in digital transformation within the education sector, including expanded access to digital learning platforms and strengthened Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, would equip graduates to lead in innovation and digital transformation.
The Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi, commended the Class of 2025 for graduating with industry-ready skills, and urged them to become leaders in digital transformation and innovation rather than mere observers.
“Graduation is not the end of learning; it is the moment of taking charge of new concepts and ideas,” he stressed.
“These graduands represent more than graduates, embodying the process of innovation, the strength of technical excellence, and the spirit of transformation our nation urgently needs,” Prof. Acakpovi added.
The ceremony, themed: ‘Emerging Technologies: How Prepared Are You,’ attracted government officials, industry partners, alumni, and families who gathered to celebrate the achievements of the 2025 graduating class.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
The General Overseer of Jesus Prayer Ministry (Superintendent Minister) at Ejisu Asuasi, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region and Accra Pig farm, Rt Rev. Dr (Mrs) Grace Frimpong-Boateng, has asked Christians to pray for the country and its leadership during this period of Easter.
According to her, the current happenings in Ghana were abnormal and was important for Christians to make supplications to their maker for an intervention.
“As Christians, we must stand in the gap. I implore all Christians including ministers of God to unite in prayer for Ghana to be saved from any calamity, including plane crashes and motor accidents that claim the lives of well-known ministers of God and others,” he stated.
Delivering her Easter message, Rt Rev. Dr (Mrs) Grace Frimpong-Boateng mentioned that Easter was a time to remember Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
“Jesus gave his life to save everyone and deliver humanity from the forces of evil,” she stated.
And the benefit of Christ’s death and resurrection, she said was to rescue humanity from the clutches of the devil.
“I want you to have faith that God will bless you and accomplish His purposes for your life as we celebrate Easter. Believe that this year will be good and you will receive whatever you require in accordance with God’s plan for your life,” she indicated.
This, she emphasised, was the reason why Christians must not sit idle, but rather, channel their energies into intense prayers to reverse the negative trends that have overwhelmed the country in recent times, citing examples such as illegal mining (galamsey) pit collapses, road crashes and air crashes.
“Throughout this period of Easter and beyond, let’s stand together and be kind to one another and pray that God would bless and heal our land,” she underlined.
Rt Rev. Dr (Mrs) Frimpong-Boateng also urged the President, John Dramani Mahama, members of the Council of State, the Ministers of State, the Kings and Queens, and other traditional leaders to get up and offer prayers for God to intervene in the untimely deaths.
“I once dreamed that Ghana had turned into a stone and that everything was completely dark. I told several pastors but no one heeded to it. This has shown up as illicit mining, which is commonly known as ‘galamsey.’ Whenever I mention something that God has revealed to me, let’s pray sincerely for God’s intervention,” she disclosed.
She also indicated that these problems were not beyond the power of God who is able to transform lives and halt all the negative trends.
“With prayers, God can heal all the diseases we are talking about in our country. I have prayed for people and they have been cured of conditions including glaucoma, cancer, and brain tumours, among others. The same God is capable to answering all the supplications we make to him.”
“Let’s have faith in the power of God and trust Him in all we do. You won’t regret it if we turn from our sins and wicked ways now and allow Jesus to take control of our lives,” she noted.
She added that, “Ghana belongs to us so let’s commit to serving our nation. You will definitely return to Ghana, no matter where you go. We think things are quite difficult but with God on our side, we can overcome every challenge we face as a country.”
By Spectator Reporter
