Meet Sarah Seyram Arhinful: UEW’s First ever Valedictorian with the Highest CGPA of 4.0

Sarah Seyram Arhinful became the first-ever valedictorian at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) with a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 at the first session of the 27th Congregation of the university.

This was made known during the first session of the 27th Congregation of the UEW. The Congregation was held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, North Campus, Winneba, from Monday, 27th March, to Saturday, 1st April 2023.

Valedictory Award Scheme

The valedictory award scheme was introduced as a replacement for the hitherto overall best student award scheme from the 27th Congregation.

Ms Sarah Arhinful pursued Ewe Education with a minor in the English Language at the College of Ghanaian Languages Education (CoLANG), Ajumako Campus, UEW. She was one of three students who had the chance to attend the University College Copenhagen in Denmark during the 2020/2021 academic year on the semester abroad study programme. In fact, she was the sole and first female student from CoLANG on the programme.

Sarah Seyram Arhinful, the first-ever valedictorian in the history of UEW

Ms Sarah Arhinful Valedictory Speech

Delivering her valedictory speech at the ceremony on Wednesday, 29th March 2023, she thanked the Almighty God for His extraordinary favours throughout her four-year period at the university.

She also expressed gratitude to her mother, Ms Rose Kafui Nyasem, for being her sole source of support and for her unceasing prayers. She extended her appreciation to the committed lecturers and support staff of the university for their diligent efforts to provide students with the knowledge and abilities they need to contribute more positively to society.

“To the 2023 graduating class, I say ‘Ayekoo’ for finishing something remarkable. Everything we are witnessing today marks the completion of a journey that began four years ago. There is no way I could have imagined a day like this when we arrived on campus as fresh students. Our biggest wish was to wake up from what seemed like a very long nightmare in which everything was daunting. The challenges we had to face daily seemed insurmountable. For many of us, it was the financial challenges that nearly ended the journey before it even began,” she said.

Ms Sarah Arhinful praised management for the extraordinary efforts they had made to ensure the welfare of the students on campus. She nonetheless pleaded with the university administration to take additional steps to upgrade facilities at the Ajumako Campus, particularly in the areas of student housing, the addition of more modern lecture halls, internet connectivity, and furniture.

“Again, we would be most grateful if management could make that one special appeal to the government to make Ghanaian languages study core at all pre-tertiary educational levels. It will help address and reinforce patriotic issues among the citizens of the country,” she averred.

Ms. Sarah Arhinful receiving her prize from the Chief Executive Officer of the UEW Cooperative Credit Union, Mrs. Christiana Kilson

She exhorted her fellow graduates to persevere in their pursuit of solutions despite the inescapable obstacles they face in doing so.

“Finally, to each member of the graduating class of 2023, I congratulate you. I believe that the struggles we had to go through these past four years were not in vain but have rather brought us great gains. As we graduate today, a new path of learning in the academic and corporate fields is opened,” she averred.

The valedictorian advised continuing students to give each course the necessary attention. She pushed them to remain focused, put their personal problems behind them, and approach their academics with confidence. She urged lecturers, parents, and guardians to keep supporting students no matter where they fall on the academic spectrum.

“Even as we bid the UEW community farewell today, we shall forever remain part of the UEW family as proud alumni of the university. We promise to become ambassadors of the UEW brand and continue to lift the university’s name wherever we go. Indeed, victory and excellence shall be ours,” she stressed.

Ms Sarah Seyram Arhinful is a native of Kpando, in the Volta Region of Ghana. She completed her elementary schooling at Sonrise Christian School in Hohoe before moving on to OLA Girls Senior High School (SHS) in Ho. After graduating from OLA Girls SHS, she was admitted to the St. Francis College of Education in Hohoe, where she received her basic education diploma.

From there, she proceeded to the UEW to study for a Bachelor of Arts in Ewe Education. Through determination, perseverance, hard work, and, above all, service to God, she was able to graduate with unprecedented flying colours.

She is presently an English teacher at Amusudai Junior High School in Adabraka.  She wants to pursue a career as a lecturer, thus she is hoping to win a scholarship to pursue further studies abroad.

Ms Sarah Arhinful is married to Mr Jones Kwesi Nana Boame, who is also an alumnus of the UEW.

 Ms. Sarah Arhinful in a pose with her husband (left), mother (2nd left) and lecturer, Mr. Emmanuel Dogbey