Navrongo: Mr Emmanuel Baba, the Valedictorian of the 2023/2024 graduating batch of St. John Bosco's College of Education, Navrongo, has called on his fellow graduates to remain resilient, innovative, and committed to lifelong learning as they transition into the world of work.
According to Ghana News Agency, he made the call at the 14th Congregation Ceremony of the College held at the weekend, where he was adjudged the Overall Best Graduating Student after achieving a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.83 in a Bachelor of Education in Technical Programme. Mr Baba also received multiple academic awards, including Best Bachelor of Education Performing Male Graduating Student, Best Bachelor of Education Junior High School Programme Graduating Student, and Best Bachelor of Education Technical Graduating Student.
Ms Stella Asampoka Abongo was also recognized as the Best Female Graduating Student with a GPA of 3.78. The award winners received cash prizes from the College, as well as cash and laptops from Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, who attended the ceremony and encouraged them to be worthy ambassadors of the institution.
Reflecting on the academic journey of the graduating class, the Valedictorian described their stay in College as both memorable and challenging, citing inadequate feeding grants, financial pressures, and delays in academic processes as some of the difficulties students had to endure. Mr Baba emphasized that despite these challenges, they thrived through patience, perseverance, and divine assistance.
Mr Baba urged the graduates to set clear goals, work hard, and continually upgrade their skills to remain relevant in a rapidly changing global education landscape shaped by technology and artificial intelligence. He highlighted the importance of embracing creativity, innovation, and personal accountability, stressing that success depended more on dedication and integrity than on circumstances.
He advised the graduates against blaming systems for their shortcomings and encouraged them to take responsibility for their personal and professional growth, noting that excellence was rooted in discipline, service, and commitment. Mr Baba expressed gratitude to his parents, family, lecturers, and mentors for their sacrifices and support throughout his academic journey, particularly acknowledging individuals and institutions that assisted him financially and emotionally.
He also thanked the management and staff of St. John Bosco's College of Education for creating an enabling environment that nurtured academic excellence and character formation. The 14th Congregation Ceremony saw 581 students graduate from various Bachelor of Education programmes, marking another milestone in the College's contribution to teacher education and national development.
Professor Clement Ayarebilla Ali, the Principal of the College, congratulated the graduates and urged them to focus on resilience and impact rather than class of degree, assuring them that the College would continue to strive for excellence despite its challenges. Speaking on behalf of the Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, the Very Reverend Father Lawrence Azure, the Vicar General of the Diocese, urged the graduates to uphold the professional and moral integrity imbibed during their time at the institution and to positively impact society.