The University of Cape Coast (UCC) School of Business has held an orientation programme for the first cohort of students admitted into the Master of Science in Customs Administration programme.

The programme, a collaboration between UCC's School of Business and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), aims to equip customs officers and stakeholders in Ghana and the West African sub-region with the necessary skills to enhance customs administration.

The orientation programme, held at the Accra campus of UCC provided students with an overview of the University, graduate programmes and insights into the expectations and opportunities that lie ahead for the students.

Speaking at the programme, the Dean of the School of Business, Prof. John Gartchie Gatsi, said it was refreshing that the programme had gone through several stages of quality assurance scrutiny to ensure that it meets the needs of industry and international standards. 

Prof. Gatsi commended the students for enrolling in the programme and assured them of quality academic and professional engagement to enhance their capacities to effectively carry out their duties.  “We are glad that a number of customs officials have enrolled in this programme to acquire more knowledge on customs-related issues within Africa and global trade environment,” he noted.

Dean of School of Business, Prof. John Gartchie Gatsi and Customs Division, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo at the orientation programme

On his part, the Commissioner of the Customs Division, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, said he was elated that the programme had finally started. He emphasized the importance of customs officials upgrading themselves in programmes that were directly in line with the nature of their operations.

 “Hitherto, our officers were enrolling in all manner of programmes which had no connection with what we do here at customs. We are extremely happy that we can now boast of a joint programme with UCC and Customs Division to adequately train our officers to directly transfer the knowledge they have acquired from their education to our operations” he stated.

Students listening to the presentations at the event

In her presentation, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa, informed the students that postgraduate programmes at UCC demanded dedication to academic work to succeed. She mentioned that the SGS, which coordinates postgraduate programmes at UCC, had put in place measures to provide support for them to complete their programmes. 

She urged the students to read the Academic Policies & Regulations for Graduate Studies to guide them in their academic journey at the University.

Prof. Sarah Darkwa

The Vice-Dean of SoB, Prof. Samuel Kwaku Agyei; Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Prof. Daniel Agyapong; Head of Department, Marketing and Supply Chain, Prof. (Mrs.) Gloria Kakrabah-Quarshie Agyapong and the Coordinator of the Programme, Dr. Dominic Owusu engaged the students in a question-and-answer session to bring clarity to various aspects of the programme.