President Akufo-Addo was honoured to have received his fifth honorary doctorate degree from Valley View University on Sunday, 14th July 2024.
The prestigious recognition filled him with profound gratitude and humility.
According to the president, he was inspired by the confidence Valley View University showed in him through this conferment, and he assured everyone that I would continue to uphold the principles of integrity, justice, and compassion that this esteemed institution embodies.
“This honour acknowledged my efforts and reflected the shared values and vision we hold for the future of our beloved nation.
Valley View University has played a significant role in the growth and development of private tertiary education in Ghana. As the first private university in the country to receive a charter, it set a benchmark for excellence and innovation in higher education. This milestone was achieved under the leadership of the first NPP President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, marking a significant turning point in the history of tertiary education in Ghana. My administration continued to support the growth of private tertiary institutions, presenting charters to seven private institutions since 2017, to create a diverse and competitive higher education landscape that meets the evolving needs of our society.
Education has been a cornerstone of my administration’s agenda, best exemplified by the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy launched in 2017. This bold initiative removed financial barriers, enabling over five million Ghanaian children to pursue secondary education. Our commitment to education was further reflected in unprecedented budgetary allocations, totaling GH¢12.88 billion, which were used to improve infrastructure, provide teaching and learning materials, and support various educational programs that enhance the quality of education at all levels. These efforts underscored our belief that education is the bedrock of national progress and prosperity.
As we approached the December elections, I respectfully called on the leadership and members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to reconsider their decision of not participating in the elections due to its coincidence with the Sabbath. Our democratic process is fundamental to our society, and the right to vote is a sacred trust bestowed upon each one of us as citizens of a democratic nation. By participating in the elections, we fulfill a moral duty to contribute to the common good, building a just and equitable society that reflects our shared values. I invoked the admonition of Jesus Christ to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” to emphasize the importance of balancing our civic duties with our spiritual obligations. I urged the Adventist community to explore practical solutions that enable their members to exercise their right to vote without compromising their religious convictions, ensuring that every Ghanaian has the opportunity to shape our nation’s future, President Akufo-Addo stated.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
