The School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast (UCC), has honoured outstanding faculty members, administrative staff, service personnel and students at its 2026 School of Agriculture Excellence Awards and Handover Ceremony.
The event was held to recognize the contributions of staff across the School of Agriculture, appreciate students for their participation in the Students Farm Project, and officially mark the leadership transition from the outgoing Dean and Vice Dean to the newly appointed leaders.
Delivering the keynote address, the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Professor Rofela Combey, said the event was organized to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of staff and for the formal handover of leadership to the incoming Dean and Vice Dean.
Professor Combey encouraged members of the School to take pride in their profession and regard it as a divine calling.
"Being in agriculture is a response to a divine mandate, which was the first work God gave us," she said.
She commended the outgoing administration for their dedication and achievements and encouraged the new leadership to uphold the good work of their predecessors.
Awards were presented in various categories, including the recognition of 13 students for their contributions to the success of the Students Farm Project. Service personnel were honoured for their outstanding performance across the School, while administrative staff received awards for their years of dedicated service.
Faculty members were also recognised for their outstanding teaching and research achievements, with special awards including the Exemplary Service Award, Outreach and Community Impact Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award presented to deserving recipients.
The outgoing Dean, Professor Henry De-graft Acquah, expressed his gratitude to the staff and the student body for their support and cooperation during his tenure.
“I came to the office with a simple focus - we should leave the school stronger than we found it,” he said.
He added that “Honouring our legacy, celebrating our people and building our future are what we need to target, while reflecting on the achievements and challenges of the college.”
“Agriculture is the future of this country, and I am confident that this school will continue to produce graduates who will feed the nation and create jobs,” he concluded.
The new Dean, Professor Julius Kofi Hagan, pledged to build on the success of the previous administration and work collaboratively with staff and students to advance teaching, research, innovation, and agricultural development.
“Together, let us build a School of Agriculture that leads in impact and innovation,” he appealed.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
