Accra: Madam Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew, the Chairperson of the University Council, University of Ghana, has emphasized that nation-building is a shared responsibility requiring the effort of every Ghanaian to achieve tangible outcomes. She made this statement during her welcome remarks at the 77th Annual New Year School and Conference held at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the four-day event was organized by the School of Continuing and Distance Education under the College of Education of the University of Ghana. The theme for this year's conference is 'Building the Ghana We Want, Together for Sustainable Development,' and it brought together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and development partners to discuss Ghana's development priorities and sustainable pathways.
Madam Brew highlighted that progress is not an accidental achievement or the work of a few; it requires disciplined and collective action across all societal layers. She noted that tradition anchors every great institution and that for 77 years, the University of Ghana has convened the finest minds from various sectors to deliberate on the nation's course.
The conference serves as a platform for critical discourse on national life, evolving through the years to drive a research and development agenda extending beyond the University into the heart of the nation. Madam Brew invited participants to reflect on the conference theme, emphasizing the words 'Want,' 'Together,' and 'Sustainable' as guiding principles for careful consideration.
She stated that the Ghana of today is not yet the Ghana they aspire to become, recognizing a gap between the current state and the desired future. The Chairperson urged attendees to define the precise nature of their aspirations, whether it be economic stability or a society where social justice and the rule of law are paramount.
Madam Brew also stressed the importance of sustainability, seeking development that transcends political cycles and endures through changing leadership and global conditions. She described the event as an active construction site where participants should act as architects, masons, and surveyors to ensure lasting outcomes.
She commended the School of Continuing and Distance Education for its significant role in sustaining the Annual New Year School and Conference for 77 years and highlighted the anticipated completion of the Digital Youth Village to expand the University's impact on the youth.
She expressed gratitude to the Government for its support, urging continued assistance for the project. The presence of President John Dramani Mahama at the event underscored the administration's commitment to dialogue and citizen engagement, with early actions pointing to efforts to reset governance and improve lives.
Madam Brew assured the President that the conference would provide evidence-based scrutiny and support for national goals, aligning with the administration's focus on revitalizing productive sectors.