The University of Cape Coast (UCC) transformed its campus into a stage of gratitude and reflection on Tuesday, as it honoured 90 retiring staff members whose tireless contributions have been the bedrock of the institution’s rise to national and continental prominence.
In what was more than a farewell, the 2025 Send-Off and Long Service Award Ceremony spotlighted the lifelong sacrifices of senior and junior personnel who have served the university from 10 to an astonishing 42 years.
Among them, Mr. Robert Koomson and Madam Rita Aikins, both of whom served for 42 years, were honoured as the longest-serving staff, receiving special accolades and gifts for their exceptional dedication.
Their journey—through decades of change, reform, and national transitions—was hailed by university leaders as the quiet force behind UCC’s current standing as Ghana and West Africa’s top university, and one of Africa’s top 10 institutions.
“For over four decades, some of you have served beyond the call of duty, holding this university together through transition and transformation,” said Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, Vice Chancellor of UCC.
“Today’s global recognition of UCC is a tribute to the hands that shaped it from within.”
The retiring staff were presented with citations and gifts, including furniture sets, refrigerators, mattresses, and televisions—tokens of appreciation for years of unrelenting service in both academic and non-academic roles.
But beyond gifts, the ceremony became a platform for reflection on the ethos of service, as management and colleagues lauded the retirees not just for tenure, but for their resilience, institutional memory, and moral example.
Mr. Adom Konadu, Director of Human Resource, praised the retirees’ influence in mentoring younger staff and guiding the university’s evolution.
“You carried UCC through policy reforms, curriculum reviews, and even national turbulence—without faltering. Your names may not all be on the walls, but your legacy is written in every student who passed through this university,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also used the occasion to announce plans for a university provident fund, and reiterated continued post-retirement medical support for the retirees.
While the atmosphere was celebratory, it was also a poignant reminder of a changing of the guard at UCC—a passing of the torch from those who laid the foundation to those who must now uphold the vision.
Prof. Boampong challenged the current staff to emulate the values of the retiring cohort: punctuality, integrity, hard work, and loyalty. He urged the retirees to stay active and healthy, calling them “lifelong ambassadors of UCC.”
As the sun sets on decades of devoted service, the legacy of these 90 individuals will continue to echo across lecture halls, laboratories, and offices—testaments to what can be achieved when commitment meets purpose.
