‘Beware of fake Certificates’-NAB cautions public

The National Accreditation Board is raising alarm over the proliferation of fake certificates being awarded by some unaccredited institutions operating both within and outside the country.

Mr. Richard Kojo Adjei, Deputy Executive Secretary of NAB said the situation is gaining notoriety because of the proliferation of online programmes being run by  institutions, most of which are located in the United States of America and China.

 ‘Some people pay huge sums of money for these programmes, only to be given worthless certificates’ he stated and advise individuals to always cross check  the status of institutions with the regulatory body, if they are in doubt before enrolling.

Mr. Adjei gave the caution at the 5^th graduation ceremony of the Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC) in Ho over the weekend on the theme ‘embarking on ICT pathway in the 21^st century for advance Education’.

Mr. Adjei who described the university college as an ‘obedient’ institution and commended them for adhering to regulatory standards, further urged them to adopt internal quality assurance culture, which would permeate the structures of the institution through the effective use of ICT to ensure high standards.

Hon. Kofi Attoh, CEO of Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication, (GIFEC) in a key note address underscored the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in transforming all spheres of life including education and called for its adoption to enhance teaching and learning.

He said use of ICT in institutions of higher learning will ensure flexible and independent learning by students, while expanding the resource pool of both teachers and students for quality research and development.

He therefore called for the effective use of ICT in teaching and learning to propel national development.

Mr. S.W.K Buami & Dr. Fayose, EPUC Registrar n President

EPUC, which is under the mentorship of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), currently runs seven accredited programmes under the Schools of Business and Theology at the Ho and Peki campuses respectively.

Rev. Dr Cyril G.K. Fayose, President of EPUC, however disclosed in his report that, the university is awaiting approval from the regulatory body to introduce nine new programmes under the schools of Computer Science, Modern Language, Education, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences as well as Social Sciences by the start of the 2014/15 academic year.

He said in readiness for the introduction of the new programmes, thirty (30) new full-time lecturers have been recruited to beef up the existing faculty of 16 full-time and 14 part-time lecturers with 37 administrative and support staff.

As part of efforts to meet the infrastructure needs of the increasing student population, which currently stands at 1506 from 54 in 2007, the university is putting up a 2-storey lecture hall at Ho-Kpodzi with the support of E.P church, Dela Chapel.  

Professor Joseph Ampiah Ghartey, Dean of the Faculty of Education at University of Cape Coast, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, commended EPUC for its steady progress in developing the nation’s human capital and assured it of UCC’s support and guidance until it attain fully fledge university status.

He also asked the graduating students to be focused and not to lose hope as they enter the world of work which is very turbulent.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, asked the EPUC to consider the establishment of School of Graduate studies, which will give opportunity to their graduates to acquire high degrees.

He also entreated the graduands to exhibit the knowledge, skills and values acquired during their training in their various endeavours.  

A total of 331 students graduated with eight receiving first class honours. Some outstanding graudands were also honoured with Mr. Joseph Kwesi Agbeka adjudged the overall best graduating student.