Methodist College of Education commissions 400 Bed Capacity Female Hostel

Methodist College of Education held its 2^nd Congregation which saw the graduation of five batched; 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 academic years. The ceremony came off successfully on the 30^th of July 2021.

Professor Ernest Kofi Davis; Provost of the University of Cape Coast who played a dual role as Chair and representative of GTEC as well as representative of the Vice-Chancellor of UCC conferred the Diploma awards on the graduating class.

The special guest of honour was Most Rev. Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, and Professor Ato Essuman, WAEC Council Chair and Member of the Council of State as the Guest Speaker.

Other dignitaries who graced the ceremony were Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, Eastern Regional Minister as Guest of Honour. Hon. Gifty Twum Ampofo; Deputy Mister of Education in charge of TVET, Hon. Victoria Adu Badu, MCE for Akim Oda Municipality, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah, Member of Parliament for Akim Oda Constituency Obrempong Gyamfi Sarforo Kyereh II, Krontihene of Akim Kotoku traditional area among a host of others.

The tone of the graduation was set when the overall best graduating student for the 2019/2020 academic year; Master Godwin Kwame Boateng delivered the valedictory speech on behalf of all five best students in each group.

A total of 460 students graduated made up of 244 males and 216 females with 9 graduates obtaining first-class diploma degrees; 8 males and 1 female.

The Principal highlighted some number achievements as well as challenges of the College. Notable among the achievements under his stewardship was the completion of 17 policies that are being implemented by the College with the support of T TEL.

The College has also come up with a five-year strategic plan with 10 thematic areas to provide a sense of direction.

In order to synchronise the Methodist Educational Philosophy with that of the College, the Management has revised the students’ handbook on rules and regulations to incorporate the policies of the College.

All the tutors and non-teaching staff possess the requisite qualifications as prescribed by GTEC. Teaching and learning have improved because of the workshops being organised by our affiliate universities with the help of TTEL and GTEC.

The College can now boast of a fully furnished 400-bed capacity female hostel constructed through GETFund with the ongoing construction of a male hostel. Through GETFund, the College has been able to procure many electronic pieces of equipment and furniture for teaching and learning. Through IGF the College has put up a dining hall and kitchen.

Challenges

Among the challenges enumerated was the absence of Governing Council since absorption in 2017 which has made it difficult to take certain critical decisions which need council approval.

Inadequate lecture rooms and hostels to host the growing number of students especially in 2022 when the first batch of B.Ed students in level 400 will return from off-campus where the college will have to host all four batches on campus.

The College is in urgent need of a 60-seater bus to help Supported Teaching in Schools. The high attrition rate of tutors and other senior staff non-teaching staff members is also a problem for the College.

The College is also seeking assistance to develop the permanent site at Akim Asene-Aboabo, get staff accommodation which is currently zero, an administration block, and a College clinic.

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Awards

In all, six graduating students were awarded for being adjudged best graduating students in each year group plus one female who was awarded for being the first-ever female student to have obtained first class in the history of the College.

The Principal wished the graduands well and admonished them to put into efficient use, the holistic character they had acquired during their three-year programme so they could bear good fruits as the slogan ‘so aba pa’ of the college depicts and be a productive ambassador of METCOE.

The Principal expressed his gratitude to the many stakeholders who have supported the College since its inception.

He was grateful to the current government for absorbing the College into the public stream to prevent it from collapse and granting financial clearance to recruit the needed qualified staff for quality delivery of its core mandate.

He appreciated the Methodist Church of Ghana for the immense support it has provided to the College in terms of finance and infrastructure. He was as well grateful to traditional leaders of Akim Kotoku especially the chiefs of Akim Asene and Aboabo for providing a 66-acre land for the future expansion of the College.

He also thanked the TTEL for their great support for the College in terms of administrative structure, capacity building, and their kind donation of a Toyota Fortuner to the College for its official use.

MP’s Support  

The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda constituency reiterated that he was going to help address the College’s challenge of getting a 60-seater bus for STS activities.

The government officials present led by the Eastern regional minister commissioned the 400-bed capacity female hostel and dedicated it by the presiding bishop after the graduation proceedings had ended.

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By: Amy Agyapomaa (Ag. College Secretary)