The Department of English, University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held a conference to honour three (3) distinguished scholars for their dedication and commitment to the teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge in language and literary studies.

The honourees were Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the first female Vice-Chancellor of UCC and former Minister of Education; Prof. Lawrence K. Owusu-Ansah and Prof. Kwadwo Opoku-Agyemang.

The honour was also in recognition of their exemplary leadership and unbridled contributions to the Department, Faculty of Arts and the College of Humanities and Legal Studies.

Held at the Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang auditorium, the conference was on the theme: “Language and Literature: Tradition and Transformation.”

Remarks by Honourees

Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, in her remarks, expressed gratitude to the Department for the honour.

She recounted how her students were afraid to choose her course because she was not magnanimous with marks, saying she wanted "the best in her students to come out ".

Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang speaking at the conference

"...As I kept telling them at the end of the class, if you can make an A, I think you should make it. You shouldn’t be happy with the B+. And it is those students who I thought were just happy with the middle grades that were always my target. If students are not stretching themselves as much as I know they are capable of...That's where sometimes the disagreement comes" she explained.

Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang paid glowing tribute to Prof. Atta Britwum for his mentorship.

"If there is ever anything I have written whether it is an article, a review, a book, he has always been part of this journey" she said.

She reminded faculty in active service of the needs of students and the need to exercise restraints in helping to unearth their potentials.

Prof. Lawrence Owusu Ansah, one of the honourees, making his submission

Prof. Lawrence Owusu Ansah, in his submission, indicated he had not regretted joining the University of Cape Coast. He thanked the Department for the recognition and promised to continue to impact positively on the younger generation. 

Prof. Owusu Ansah, who served the University for thirty-eight (38) years, added that education was still the best legacy both parents and teachers could help imbibe in the Ghanaian child, particularly, in sharpening their skills and analytical abilities.

For his part, Prof. Kwadwo Opoku-Agyemang, in a brief remark, expressed gratitude to the Department of English for the honour done the honourees.

He entreated faculty to treat students with love and care, saying the University exists because of the students.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang speaking at the Conference

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who first piloted the Communication Skills course in UCC, used the occasion to eulogise Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for her motherly care towards her children, describing her as "an ideal woman".

The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Professor Kwame Osei Kwarteng, who chaired the occasion, hailed the honourees for their outstanding contributions to the Department.

He underlined the need for teachers to be rewarded on earth and not in heaven while thanking the Department for the honour done the three (3) revered scholars.

The conference also saw goodwill messages from past students of the scholars.