The Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Neenyi Ghartey VII, has called on the government and other stakeholders involved in the Bawku conflict to urgently pursue efforts for lasting peace. He urged those in authority to intensify their strategies—diplomatic, developmental, and security-based—to restore peace to the region. "This is not just a Bawku issue. It is a national responsibility. Let us not treat this as a distant conflict, but as a national wound that requires our collective healing," Neenyi Ghartey passionately expressed at the second session of the 29th Congregation of UEW last Saturday.
His appeal comes amidst ongoing violence that has caused uncertainty in Bawku for years, severely impacting education, healthcare, and various economic activities. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana have noted that the unstable situation in Bawku is taking a toll on education in the region. The General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, mentioned that there are 2,070 teachers working in the area and that a local GNAT conference scheduled for last month was suspended due to the situation. He added that a district conference planned for next month has also been postponed. King Awudu Ali, President of the Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana, stated that academic work in Bawku has been significantly affected over the years, as many teachers have sought transfers out of the area and new teachers are unwilling to accept postings there. "At the end of the day, ordinary citizens in Bawku do not benefit from the loss of lives and property," he added.
Neenyi Ghartey, who is also known privately as Daniel Kobena Bortse Ghartey, pointed out that while Bawku is rich in culture, strength, and resilience, the ongoing conflict has had dire consequences for the community. "Families are being torn apart, children cannot attend school, and livelihoods are crumbling under the weight of persistent violence. We cannot educate a nation while part of it burns. We must not allow this to continue," he stated. He appealed to the people of Bawku to prioritize peace. "Let peace reign. Let the guns go silent. Let peace be loud in Bawku. We must silence the guns and raise the voices of reason, unity, and brotherhood. Let us remember that conflict only brings suffering, loss, and destruction, affecting not just lives and property, but the future dreams of our youth," he emphasized.
He particularly advised the youth of Bawku and its surrounding areas not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction but to rise as champions of peace and development. Neenyi Ghartey called on the elders and opinion leaders of the region to use their influence to build bridges rather than walls. He reminded the congregation that while the ceremony was a joyous occasion, the pain and uncertainty facing the people of Bawku in its current volatile state could not be overlooked. He emphasized that both Bawku and Ghana need peace to foster national cohesion and development, encouraging academics and policymakers to advocate for peace throughout the country, noting that "peace is not a weakness; it is strength, dignity, and vision."
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He concluded by stating that a peaceful Ghana is the foundation upon which a prosperous nation can be built. "Every Ghanaian child deserves to grow up in peace, whether in Accra or Bawku, Winneba or Navrongo, Elubo or Sunyani. May peace return to Bawku, may healing find its way into every home, and may Ghana rise united, strong, and full of promise for all her children," the traditional leader added.
At the graduation ceremony, 6,969 students received degrees and diplomas, consisting of 2,969 males and 4,000 females. This included 503 postgraduates, 38 doctoral degrees, 5,958 first degree holders, and 308 diploma holders. Among the first degree holders—of whom 3,620 were females—220 achieved first class honors, 1,427 received second class upper division, and 2,188 were in the second class lower division.
Neenyi Ghartey commended President John Mahama for his commitment to promoting inclusive education and his vision for sustainable and equitable education, which aligns with the university's goal of maximizing every student's potential. He urged the graduates to pursue excellence and hard work, emphasizing that he believed they would excel with the knowledge and skills they had acquired.
The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, expressed gratitude to the government for policies that promote access, equity, digital transformation, and capacity building. He noted that these efforts have enabled institutions like UEW to produce well-equipped graduates. Professor Mitchual also stated that the university had improved investment in digital accessibility and ensured internet connectivity, enhancing efficiency in their educational programs.