VC Commissions Refurbished Senior Members’ Lounge And Software Unit
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, has commissioned the newly refurbished Senior Members Lounge and the Software Unit on Monday, 29th July 2024.
The commissioning of the projects, which are a significant boost to staff welfare and institutional development, marks a major milestone in the University’s efforts to enhance the working environment and support its academic and administrative staff.
Prof. Afoakwa also took the opportunity to inspect the ongoing construction of the 8-storey lecture and office complex, which is currently about 20% complete.
Commissioning of the Senior Members Lounge
The first event was the commissioning of the Senior Members Lounge, an initiative aimed at enhancing the welfare and working environment of GCTU staff.
Prof. Afoakwa, in his address, emphasized the University’s commitment to staff welfare. “At the breakfast meeting, I mentioned that this year we are doing a lot to enhance staff welfare and experience. We started with the student experience last year, but this year we want to promote staff welfare. We aim to create an environment where all staff, both academic and administrative, can work together harmoniously,” he said.
The vice-chancellor emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among all senior members, both academic and administrative. He declared that both lounges would be accessible to all senior members without any segregation, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can interact, share ideas, and work collectively towards the growth of the institution. This inclusive approach aims to eliminate any form of discrimination and ensure that administrators and academics can engage freely, promoting a cohesive environment.
Prof. expressed his enthusiasm for the new facility, promising the provision of branded GCTU mugs for staff to enjoy tea, coffee and even cappuccino. He further shared his commitment to staff well-being by promising to bring six bottles of black cocoa every month. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the health benefits of natural cocoa, encouraging staff to adopt healthy habits for longevity.
The Director of Works and Physical Development, Surv. Gordon Baapiri, highlighted the project’s background and its importance for staff welfare. He explained that establishing the Senior Members Lounge was a direction appreciated by management, led by the Vice-Chancellor. “The contract was signed on 19th June for a project duration of one month, and today, we are here to take over the project from the contractor on an interim basis, Surv. Baapiri added.
The refurbished lounge includes various amenities designed for relaxation and informal meetings. “The lounge is a place for discussion, relaxation, and even watching football games. We will provide branded GCTU mugs, and I will personally bring six bottles of black cocoa every month to promote healthy living among staff,” Prof. Afoakwa added.
The Managing Director of Mantrac Solutions Ltd, the contracting firm, Michael Owusu, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work on the project and assured the University of their continued support.
Dr. Nusrat-Jahan Abubakar, President of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), praised the initiative, stating, “We are ready to see this Silicon Valley vision come to fruition, and we know that the plans mentioned today will become a reality.”
The project has been taken over in the interim while the defect liability period takes effect for the next six months. Prof. Afoakwa however, cautioned the users to be judicious when using the facility to make the full takeover of the project possible.
Commissioning of the Software Unit
Following the lounge commissioning, the Vice-Chancellor proceeded to commission the refurbished Software Unit.
The Director of Works and Physical Development noted that the refurbishment was based on a request by the Head of the Unit, Mr. Shaibu, for upgrading the unit to enhance staff performance.
“As part of the welfare enhancement process, requests can be made through the registrar for approval. This project was undertaken by Pelotron Group Ghana Ltd.,” he said.
Prof. Afoakwa reiterated the importance of justifying such requests to ensure they contribute to increased efficiency and productivity. “We expect to see improvements and more efficiency as a result of this renovation. If the facility is not utilized to enhance the efficiency of the work, such requests will not be entertained,” he emphasized.
Godwin Owusu, Managing Director of Pelotron Group Ghana Ltd, thanked the University Management for the opportunity to contribute to the institution’s development. He said, “We are grateful for the guidance and belief in our capabilities. We hope to continue supporting the university’s vision.”
The events concluded with an inspection of the 8-storey lecture and office complex under construction. Prof. Afoakwa expressed optimism about the University’s future, stating, “In a maximum of 10 years, this University will see a complete transformation with several 8-storey structures. The first block will be completed next year, and we will move on to the next immediately after.”
The ceremonies were attended by key University officials including the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Robert Hinson, Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, Director of Finance, Mr. Ernest Apraku and Director of Internal Audit, Mr. Kennedy Fosu Oppong. The others were the Director of HROD, Dean of Engineering, Dr. Ruhiya Abubakar, Director of University Relations, Dr. Nusrat-Jahan Abubakar and the incoming President of GAUA, Mr. Kwame Owusu Afram. Also present were the contractors, and members of the University Community.
These developments mark a significant step towards realizing GCTU’s vision of becoming a world-class institution, with enhanced facilities and a supportive environment for both staff and students.
