Micjoy Advertising (MJA), a communication consult, has rewarded six
education institutions for their outstanding contribution to quality
education and the socio-economic development of the country.
They are: All Nations University College (ANUC), Presbyterian
University College (PUC), Ghana Technology University College (GTUC),
Jackson Education Complex (JEC), Ideal College and Action Remedial
School.
MJA also rewarded All Nations International Development Agency
(ANIDA), a Koforidua-based humanitarian non-governmental organisation
(NGO) for supporting the under-privilege in society.
Apart from the institutions, the MJA also rewarded two personalities:
former President, John Agyekum Kufour and a Deputy Minister of
Education (Pre-Tertiary), Mr Alex Kyeremeh for their personal
contributions to progress in education.
At a ceremony in Kumasi, the Executive Director of the MJA, Michael
Nana Ampong said among about 40 private tertiary institutions,
particularly, universities in the country, the rewarded institutions
had displayed a high sense of commitment towards progress in education
to support national development.
He said the MJA after administering 500 questionnaires in a month�s
survey selected the institutions not on merit but for the fact that
they have prioritised programmes at their places of study on
advancement in education.
He commended both the institutions and the personalities for their
contribution and asked that they continue not to relent in their
efforts to support advancement in education
The Awards
The awardees were given crystal objects to signify the MJA�s
appreciation of their outstanding contribution to education
development.
President Kufour
Nana Ampong said for his eight-year administration as Presidet, Mr
Kufour had sought to bring life into the education sector recalling
the Prof Anamuah Mensah Committee to check on Second cycle schools
reforms.
Apart from the reform, he said the MJA had noted of the President
Kufour�s introduction of pro-poor programmes like the School Feeding
Programme (SFP), Capitation Grant, Compterised-based system for the
selection of Basic Education Certificate Examination candidates for
admission into the second cycle schools.
Again, apart from the supply of GETfund buses and Photocopier machines
to deserving schools and chartered universities; President Kufour�s
introduction of the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) which had on board school
children for free of charge, all to support quality education.
Alex Kyeremeh
The Deputy Minister to the MJA had shown a personal commitment and
benchmark of superstardom for a few years he had been in office
towards quality and affordable education.
MJA executive director said he could have shown negligence but
recalled that last year alone, he personally stood up investigated the
circumstances where some heads of SHSs were into charging of
exorbitant school fees to exploit both students and parents.
Through his efforts, almost all faulting heads of SHS were reprimanded
and with the precedent in place, the minister had made the system
difficult for recalcitrant SHS administration to operate illegally
especially on billing of students.
Last year academic year, for only five items on some SHS students�
bill, the administration was charging an exorbitant of GH�500, 000.00
had the minister not intervened.
ANUC
The ANUC based in Eastern Regional capital of Koforidua and as one of
the best science-based private universities has been noted for its
exceptional science programmes and the quest for inventions.
The Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (ISSL), of Anuc,a laboratory working on a satellite ground station which is exclusive in West Africa and helping to update the scientific feed in Ghana.
The Founder and President of the ANUC, Dr Samuel Donkor who chaired
the awards and paper launch of the MJA, received the award for the
ANUC.
PUC
The PUC has been running Environmental Science, Natural Resources,
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Physician Assistantship (PA)
programmes which make the university distinct from other private
universities.
Having being existence for the past 10 years, the PUC has apart from
its Abetifi campus in the Kwahu area, opened campuses in Kumasi, Tema,
Akuapem and Agogo.
It is motivated to support education not only in the urban centres but
semi-rural areas as well.
GTUC
The GTUC has had academic linkages with foreign institutions and had
since 2006 in the area of science and technology improve the living
conditions of its students, opening campuses in Kumasi, Koforidua
apart from its Accra main campus.
It is running post-graduate programmes for students and has been
recognised as the fastest growing university in Ghana.
The GTUC�s Relations Officer, Afua Amankwa Sarkodie received the award
for the university.
JEC
With 40 branches across the length and breadth of the country, the JEC
has been running a three-year course on Diploma in Basic Education by
Distance Learning.
Since inception in 2009, the JEC has had more than 2,000 students
graduated from the course and currently has more than 5, 000 students
learning in all the ten regions.
What is more fascinating about the JEC is that rural areas which used
not to have trained teachers are gradually getting away with it in the
area quality education.
The Director of the JEC, Mrs Theodosia W. Jackson was presented with
the award during the ceremony.
ANIDA
Noted as one of the best humanitarian NGOs in Ghana and West Africa,
ANIDA has been sponsoring needy students from all levels of education
on 100 per cent scholarship.
For about 10 years, a wing of the ANIDA, Women Development
Centre (WDC) has trained illiterate women who now can boast of
reading, writing and expressing themselves fluently in the English
Language.
It has been presenting food items to less privileged children and orphans in their various homes as part of its mission to support the needy in society.
The Registrar of the ANUC, Dr Lynn Kisembe Darkwa received the award
on behalf of the Executive Director of the ANIDA, Rev. Mrs Rose
Donkor.
IDEAL COLLEGE & ACTION REMEDIAL
Both institutions have been a turning point to SHS students who might
have had problems in the WASSCE/SSSCE results.
Giving priority to poor or less performed WASSCE/SSSCE candidates,
they have opened branches where through remedial classes both have
sought to reshape students� lifestyles as far as better examination
performance is important.
Launch of the Academic Diary
The Asanteman Nkosuohene, Nana Owusu Banahene who represented former
President Kufour, officially launched the Academic Diary as a
newspaper for the MJA.
The first and second copies were auctioned for GH�3, 000.00 and
GH�2,000.00 respectively.
The 16-page newspaper focuses on education; promoting education issues
having noted that education remains the �spinal cord� of every nation.
In the mean time and having been registered at the National Media
Communication (NMC), it will be hitting the newsstands and the front
desk of other institutions once every month.