the csuc communicator
DESCRIPTION
Annual Magazine Publication by the Department Of CommunicationTRANSCRIPT
‘Good to Great’: Ongoing Reforms
Mothers at War WithTheir Babies
Success Triangleof CSUC President
Budding Entrepreneur
The CSUC
COMMUNICATORThe ‘Good to Great’ Edition
A publication by the CSUC Department of Communication Studies Issue 3 Volume 1
Christian Service University College (CSUC), Kumasi is admitting students into its programmes for the January Regular and Weekend Schools.
Degree programmes offered include:·MA in Christian Ministry with Management ·BSc. Nursing·BSc. Information Technology·BSc. Computer Science·BA Planning and Social Development·BA Theology with Administration (Regular and Sandwich)
·BA Communication Studies ·BBA with options in:
ØPurchasing and Supply Chain ManagementØAccountingØHuman Resource ManagementØMarketing andØBanking & Finance
Courses are offered in the mornings, evenings and weekends.WASSCE candidates, HND Holders and other interested applicants should purchase the application forms at any Ecobank branch and at all major post offices in Ghana. Applicants who do not meet the basic entry requirements can also enroll in the CSUC Access Course for Mature Students.
CSUC is also offering half scholarships for prospective students with aggregate 6 to 12 to pursue any degree programme of choice. For more enquiries, call 0501-500300 or 0501-500302, or visit the CSUC website at www.csuc.edu.gh. Locate CSUC on the Odeneho Kwadaso Road, just after the Santasi Roundabout.
JANUARY 2016 ADMISSIONS
CSUC! Excellence with Integrity
CHRISTIAN SERVICE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, KUMASI
FAITH SCHOLARSHIP INTEGRITY
Accredited by the National Accreditation Board, Ghana; Affiliated to the University of Ghana, Legon and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technolohgy (KNUST), Kumasi.
The previous edition of the “CSUC Communicator”
editorialised on the need to equip university
graduates with the relevant skills, knowledge and
the ability to apply the knowledge gained to solve
problems of society and to create sustainable jobs.
That concept seems to have sunk into the hearts and
minds of educators and the educated alike. One
might ask then that after job creation, what next?
The CSUC Communicator believes the ability to
retain and sustain the jobs through positive
attitudes such as discipline, hardwork and integrity
are pivotal. The focus of this piece is to examine how
indiscipline is making a mirage out of the progress
we could make as a nation.
At the time of independence, Ghana ranked tenth as
the world's leading miner of gold. The Ghanaian soil
has rich deposits of aluminium, bauxite, diamonds
and manganese. Through these natural assets,
Ghana became a middle income country in the
league of countries such as South Korea and Mexico
(Dzorgbo, 2001:2). Ghana also had the advantage of
a well-developed human capital. Now however,
Ghana has arguably joined the league of highly
indebted poor countries for various reasons.
Primary among them is indiscipline and poor
attitudes. Indiscipline has become a conspicuous
invisible signage now on the roads, in the markets, in
many homes, churches, educational institutions and
almost everywhere.
The home used to be the citadel of sound training in
our moral and cultural values. In the homes, little
ones were taught to respect others in deed and in
conduct through the use of age old words such as
“please”, “sorry” and “thank you”. These days, in the
quest at making ends meet and often living
according to the Jones's, many parents do not make
as much time as our forebears did to train and
mentor the children to appreciate and practise some
of these simple virtues. In many homes, parents
leave communication technologies such as
television and the Internet with a conglomeration of
both wholesome and unwholesome videos and
audio, to babysit the babies and toddlers at home. So
a number of these little ones are mentored instead by
celebrities and violent cartoon stars, some of whom
are not acceptable role models. When the kids grow
into adults with undesirable attitudes that the
parents do not recognise, the latter then turn to the
school and the church for solutions.
The pride of several advanced countries is their level
of development. A couple of years back in Ghana, as
school children and adults alike sang to patriotic
tunes such as “yen ara y'ase ni, eye 'buo den den ma
yen…”, there was a strong sense of we-feeling,
nationhood and solidarity among us as Ghanaians.
Now however, one wonders whether the youth and
children appreciate songs like that. Many children
arrive late to school, adults turn up late at work,
meetings and functions and various appointments
and we laugh it off under the pre-text of Ghanaian
time. The teachers have about eight hours or so to
teach the syllabus. One wonders how much of
citizenship and moral training goes into that time.
The focus of teaching now is to groom the children to
write and pass their exams. So can we blame the
teacher for not training the child well?
These days, you find a number of young people going
to church with no Bibles but rather a mobile phone
or a tablet. And as the Church Service goes on, you
Editorial
Mrs. Adwoa S. AmankwahSnr. Lecturer - Communication Studies
1
find users of these phones, fidgeting with them,
facebooking or whatsapping - in sum, lost in their
own world. So the time-tested word of God that is
able to convert the heart, transform the mind,
activate the will to rightful living is rejected. Within
such an atmosphere, how can the Church transform
society and contribute to development?
On our roads there is indiscipline galore as
passengers and pedestrians alike, throw rubbish
ranging from sachet water rubbers, used diapers of
babies, toffee and biscuits wrappers on the streets
and in gutters. Hence, a number of our previously
clean cities are now turning to cities of filth.
Other drivers gallantly drive through the traffic
lights even when the traffic turns 'red' to signal stop'.
The institutions and organisations responsible for
maintaining discipline, law and order seem to have
lost control. They appear overwhelmed by the
degeneration and are at a loss as to where to start
from in the bid to restore sanity, discipline and
sound moral and ethical values into the society.
It is the view of the CSUC Communicator that all is
not lost. There is still time to pick the pieces together.
The CSUC Communicator echoes the recent
matriculation message of the CSUC President, Prof.
Sam Afrane. In that speech, Prof. Afrane, indicated
that the CSUC would embark on holistic education
that integrated sound Christian virtues and values
i n t o s t u d e n t s . D e r i v i n g f r o m t h a t , t h e
Communicator wishes to appeal to society, both the
youth and adults not to remove the ancient
landmarks (Proverbs 23:10) of our Ghanaian
cultural values – respect, honesty, hardwork,
discipline and humility but rebuild the broken walls
by getting back to God, back to the ancient
landmarks of truth, honesty, integrity, love for God
and man and back to the way of God. The CSUC
Communicator believes that it is then that our land
and our people will receive healing in mind, body and
attitudes. It is then that our nation would prosper
and develop.
‘Good to Great’:Ongoing Reforms
Mothers At War WithTheir Babies
Success TriangleOf CSUC President
Beware Of ‘Akwankyere’
Inside this issue:
2
Budding Entrepreneur
33
241622
Editor: Mrs. Adwoa S. Amankwah
Sub-editor: Mrs. Kate Sem-Ackah
Layout and Design:Ginn Assibey Bonsu
Writing and Proof-reading Team:2015/2016 News writing and
Reporting Class
ONGOING REFORMS: Route to making CSUC a world class University
their ultimate satisfaction.
The system of issuing transcripts has also been
streamlined to make it easier, simpler and time-
saving for students. Students are assured of
receiving their transcripts in a matter of 24 hours to
a maximum waiting period of five days. For instance
in October 2015, 60 transcripts were issued. Twenty
four (24) were issued within 24 hours, 13 were ready
in 48 hours and 23 were ready within a week. CSUC
graduands abroad can request for transcripts to be
delivered to educational institutions outside the
country. The processes for online registration
subsequent to the payment of fees at the bank have
been simplified as well.
Reward systems have been instituted to recognise
and reward outstanding students in every
department. In the first semester of the 2015/2016
academic year, a team of best students who met this
criteria, accompanied the President Prof. Sam
Afrane, on a day's educational tour to Ashesi
Universty. The purpose of the trip was to enable
CSUC students to interact with Ashesi University
students, sit in their lectures and experience Ashesi's
uniqueness as one of Africa's best universities.
The CSUC president believes that cordial staff-
student relationships would contribute to building a
healthy University College. In this respect, both
teaching and non-teaching staff in the first semester
of the 2015/2016 academic year, were taken through
customer service focussed seminars and the
perennial pre-semester retreat facilitated by Prof.
Mrs. Ibok Oduro, the Head, Food Science
Department KNUST, also covered staff-student
relationships.
By Adwoa S. Amankwah
3
The President of Christian Service University
College, Prof Sam Afrane has disclosed that the
CSUC is embarking on critical reforms to promote
the growth of the University College in line with his
vision of moving CSUC from . A
pivot of these reforms is the introduction of
Performance Standards which define the activities
of the University College and the expected
completion time for them. These standards are in
three key areas – namely finance, administration
and academics.
In terms of the financial operations of the University
College, the CSUC president indicated that the
reforms seek to eliminate bottlenecks and minimise
time lags for processing and paying claims. For
instance, the Finance Office has extended the time
for delivering financial services to the CSUC's most
cherished partners - its students. To cater for the
needs of evening students, the CSUC Finance Office
operates to almost 7:00 pm.
Regarding the improvement of academic systems of
the University College, Prof. Afrane said that the
issuance of 'examination pass' to students to allow
them to write their examinations is now effected by
the CSUC Finance Office. Students are issued with
examination passes after settling their fees. This
procedure has reduced the multiple cumbersome
steps students had to go through every semester as
they moved from one office to another to go through
the process of securing a pass. The effect of this is a
savings in time and effort by the student, leading to
‘Good to Great’
Prof. Sam Afrane, CSUC President
Final year students are not left out in these reforms.
Seminars, workshops and lectures are being
conducted to prepare and equip CSUC final year
students with relevant soft skills required for the job
market. The CSUC would groom professionals who
would serve with integrity, excellence, moral
uprightness and godliness in their various fields of
endeavour. Finally, students' satisfaction surveys
have been conducted to solicit students' concerns
and suggestions for greater efficiency of the CSUC
system. Prof. Afrane was quick to add however, that
“nobody succeeds alone, so I would work with both
staff and students to achieve these goals”.
The President of the Christian Service University College, Prof. Sam Afrane, has outlined a three-pronged approach encapsulated in the imagery of a triangle as his vision for CSUC. Under the theme of “good to great,” Prof.Afrane has indicated that professional programmes, entrepreneurship and ICT-savviness – are the concepts that are going to drive his mission and his work at the CSUC. At the centre of his vision for the University College will be a Christ-centred approach to all that will be done.
“Every institution must be known for something. Our university must be known for three things: its sound professional programmes, strong and market-driven entrepreneurship and ICT savviness. Students who come here to study and go back to work within the domains of the professions they studied must attest to this,” emphasized Prof. Afrane.
“Students who come here must go out to set up their own jobs or find work to do. I’m looking forward to a time when employers would come looking for qualified people from the CSUC. Afterall, the main
point of going to school is to get a job after school”, Prof Afrane added.
In terms of the ICT savviness, the President indicated that ICT would be fused into all that students and staff do, as in teaching, learning and research coupled with administration. In this regard, he has set in motion the ‘laptop per student’ initiative, where students will be able to acquire a quality laptop for their studies and pay by instalments.
The President added that Christ would be at the centre of this three-pronged approach in that the CSUC would endeavour to inculcate sound ethical and Christian values on to students so they can go out and positively impact their world. The CSUC would groom professionals who would serve with integrity, academic excel lence, spiritual uprightness.
Prof. Afrane was quick to add however that “nobody succeeds alone, so I would work with both staff and students to achieve these goals.”
The Success Triangle of new CSUC President
Pro
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rogr
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Entrepreneurship
ICT
-savvin
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Christ-centred approach
By Paul K. Acheampong, Ernest Okai, KwadwoAdu-Gyamfi
4
Communication Studies Department makes great strides
The head of Department of Communication Studies at the Christian Service University
College, Mr. Asuamah Adade-Yeboah, has highlighted the significant progress the
Department has made within the few years of its existence.
"Over six years ago, we started the department with less than 30 students but now they are
increasing, every year the student number increases. Now we have almost 200 students,"
Mr. Adade-Yeboah said.
As the only accredited Communications Department located in the northern sector of the
country, the Department is branding itself through the quality of graduates they produce,
the tuition and professionalism the lecturers impart to students and opportunities for
hands on practice they give them.
At the Communication Studies Department, students offering the four main
specialisations; Advertising, Public Relations, Broadcast and Print Journalism have the
opportunity to put theory into practice.
“Broadcast Journalism students have hands on training and practice at the
Communications Studio, Print Journalism and News Writing Students produce news
articles, foremost is this news magazine, Public Relations students have the opportunity to
organise events, write speeches and conduct protocol duties whiles Advertising students
produce Advertising copies and multimedia documentaries,” explained Mr. Adade-
Yeboah.
The Head of Department added that the solid training being given to the students is
ultimately positioning them well in the world of work and academia as in the coming years,
the Department hopes to begin a Master of Arts Degree in Communication.
Head, Department of Communication Studies
- Mr. Asuamah Adade-Yeboah (Snr. Lecturer)By Kate Sem-Ackah
5
The Chaplaincy Unit of the University College has
started holding vibrant and spirit-filled worship
services to cater for the spiritual and emotional
needs of evening and weekend classes as part of the
ongoing reforms.
"'Weekend and evening students are an integral part
of the CSUC, so these services are practical steps at
sharing our major core values such as, ‘acceptance
of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, integrity, mutual
support and care’ with them" said Prof. Sam Afrane,
President of the CSUC..
According to the University College Chaplain, Rev.
Dr Margaret Asabea Aboagye, the services are
meant to provide a platform where the CSUC can
impact its student population with the salvation
gospel of Jesus Christ and share its Christian values
with them.
"I have been enormously blessed and ministered to
by attending this service. I look forward to the next
service soon" said Benjamin Kenneth Nkrumah, a
level 200 Communication Studies student of the
Evening School.
Rev. Dr. Peter White, the Assistant Chaplain added
that "the worship services are being well attended by
both staff and students. The rich time of fellowship
during these services makes it an event you would
not want to miss.”
and Weekend SchoolsMinistry to Evening
The CSUC's January 2016 admissions drive has
been boosted with the accreditation of the BSc.
Information Technology programme. The
successful accreditation of this programme comes
as part of efforts by the University College to mount
new academic programmes.
"We have submitted applications to both the
National Accreditation Board for accreditation and
the University of Cape Coast for affiliation for the
following programmes; MSc. Accounting and
Finance; MSc. Project Monitoring and Evaluation;
B.Ed. Basic Education and B.Ed Early Child
Education," revealed Prof. Sam Afrane, the CSUC
president.
"We are also working on Physician Assistants'
Programme to be submitted early next year. We pray
that we get the necessary approvals to enableb us
start some of these programmes in January, 2016,"
Prof. Afrane added.
New Academic Programmes
Introduction of distance learning and problem-solving approaches
The CSUC Executive Committee has initiated a
process of introducing distance learning and
problem-solving approaches in the teaching
methodology of the University College as part of the
on-going reforms.
These initiatives will position CSUC strategically to
reach out to many potential students living outside
the Kumasi metropolis. The reform is also meant to
shift the mode of teaching from the “teacher-centred
learning approach” to the “student-centred learning
paradigm.”
This mode of teaching using the 'Moodle' platform is
more interactive and problem-based in that it will
present students with information on the course and
encourage them to research to look for solutions to
problems presented during the lesson. 'Moodle' is
hosted on the revitalised CSUC website.
Currently, twenty lecturers are undergoing training
in use of the software and it is expected that by the
next semester, about 30 percent of courses will be
running via this mode.
Part of on-going reforms
Part of on-going reforms
Part of on-going reforms
6
As the quest for having a degree is becoming the basic job requirement, lots of people including those already employed are advancing themselves academically by going to universities. With several private and public universities available in the country, one wonders what is making Christian Service University College, CSUC, a preferred choice for students. Several reasons were given by some continuing and fresh students of the University College on why they chose to enrol at CSUC.
Mr Kizito Cudjoe, a Level 400 Communications student, majoring in Public Relations said he chose CSUC mainly because of the degree in Communications that the University College offers. He said as a journalist, he wanted a degree in communication and CSUC is the only university in the northern sector of the country that is offering that course.
“I am a reporter with the Business and Financial Times, Kumasi Office and when the desire to acquire a degree came, I needed a University in Kumasi that runs a degree in communication so I can easily combine mine education and career so CSUC was a preferred choice,” said Kizito Cudjoe.
Concerning the Faith and Practice Programme, every student has one credit hour every month
where the students are practically taught key values of the University College based on biblical principles and real life situations, so for me, I don’t miss these sessions’ added Mr. Cudjoe.
He also touched on the lecturer-student ratio as another motivating factor that made him choose CSUC. He explained that unlike some universities that have lecture halls fully packed with some students even standing outside during lectures, the same cannot be said of CSUC. The lecture halls often have about 60 students or less. This makes teaching and learning very effective as with time the lecturers get to know all their students with time. Students also have access to the lecturers even after lectures for further explanation of topics not well understood during lecture periods.
Another interviewee, a level 400 BBA student, Richard Amponsah Dwomoh said he was encouraged to choose CSUC by a friend, Kojo Marfo, an old student of the University College.
‘As a journalist, my salary is not very good and when I was contemplating going to the University, how to pay was a major setback but Kojo Marfo talked about the flexible fee-paying system. Kojo explained that all I needed was 60 percent of the total fees to enable me register for the semester and pay gradually
CSUC the obvious choice
By Awuah Samuel Baffour Benedicta Akoma Boateng Yasmin Selorm Krakah Beatrice Spio-Garbrah
7
before the end of semester exams commences. In the view of Richard Dwomoh, that was the major motivating factor for choosing CSUC.
“Now with the intervention of the University College SRC, students now pay 50 percent of the total amount of the school fees and we can register so it has helped me very well”, said Mr. Richard Dwomoh.
The central location of the school also served as a major reason why Richard chose CSUC. The school is located at Odeneho Kwadaso off the Santasi-Obuasi Road. It is not a traffic prone area and this he stated also inspired him to select CSUC. "I was also inspired by where the University College is located. One can easily get transportation to and from school irrespective of the time so I opted for CSUC above the other universities and I have not regretted that decision. With the work I do as a reporter and producer at Kapital Radio, I have a tight time schedule. Sometimes I have to do production late afternoon but because getting a vehicle to school is not very difficult.
I donot panic when I have to come to school” added Richard.
“Rev Dominic Yamoah, my friend and an alumini recommended the University Collegem to me. He is now a Rev Minister with the Methodist Church, Tamale Diocese. He explained that the Certificate awarded after school equals that of the other Theology institutions in the country and advised that I choose CSUC”, chipped in Pastor Elijah Arizi, a level 100 Theology student.
“What I also like about this university is that morality in terms of decency in dressing is also commendable. Unlike some universities where students wear indecent dresses to lectures, the same cannot be said here” added Pastor Arizi.
Miss Portia Opoku, a level 300 Nursing student said she was advised by other nurses who have graduated from the University College that the CSUC Certificate is accepted in government hospitals just like those from the other public universities. She expressed her satisfaction about the subjects taught so far and the practicals that they do to be well groomed.
For all these students, they are happy that they chose to enrol at CSUC.
One may think that, having a job or being a career
woman, being married and having children is good
enough for the average Ghanaian woman. But, what
do we see today? We see women 'running' after
degrees, masters, PhDs, doctorate degrees just to
mention a few. Fortunately (for the mothers) and
unfortunately (for their babies) almost all
universities in the country now offer evening and
weekend programmes that suit these career women
and mothers. There is no question that being both a
parent and a student is a very challenging balance to
maintain.
Dorothy Anderson is a level 400, bachelor of
business administration (BBA) student at Christian
Service University College (CSUC). She narrates her
ordeal being a wife, a mother and a student. She says
that managing the home and school was “just too
much.” She couldn't find the exact words to describe
it. According to her, she was a student who used to sit
in the front or the middle rows during a lecture, but
when the baby came in, she always had to sit at the
back. Again, she had to make sure the baby was
asleep before she entered any lecture hall.
So sometimes you see her walking on campus with
her little angel at her back, trying to put him to sleep
before entering the class. In the course of the lecture,
Pic
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The challenges of the career woman - motherhood and education
By Yasmin Selorm Krakah
8
should the baby wake up, it could mean the end of
lectures for her, otherwise, she had to take baby out
and feed him, change him, care for him and make
him feel alright and comfortable before joining in
the lecture. Meanwhile, the lecture was still in
session when she was away. Dorothy lives at
Abuakwa, a suburb of Kumasi and indicated that,
sometimes she got home at around 9:30 pm or
10:00 pm, by which time the baby might be asleep.
That notwithstanding, she has to wake baby up to
bath and probably feed him again before putting
him to sleep. This greatly affects both baby and
mummy's sleep. Unfortunately, Dorothy has no one
to help her care for the baby, but the best part is that,
she has an understanding husband who supports
her in all these. To her, keeping a home, a job and
furthering one's education isn't an easy task at all
and ladies doing this should be applauded and
commended.
Another student I spoke to, Louisa Appiah, a
communication student also at Christian Service
University College (CSUC) also mentioned the
difficulties associated with being a student parent.
According to her, on daily bases, she drives her
children from Adowato-Adomanu to her mother
who lives at Danyame (all in Kumasi) before coming
for lectures. Her number one challenge is
concentrating in class when the children are not
with her. “Are they ok?”, “Are they disturbing their
grandma too much?” “Are they eating well and
adapting to their grandma well?”, “Are they crying?”
Personally, I worked with the biggest domestic
airline in the country. I'm married and have a child.
Combining schooling with my career and family life
has been one tedious and difficult task. It got so bad
when I was working with the Airlines, that
sometimes for almost a week or so, my little boy
would not have seen my face. I left home very early
when he was still asleep. He on the other hand goes
to school, comes back and is expecting to see
mummy and mummy is still not around.
I close from work and move to school, I go through
lectures successfully and close from lectures
between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. When I get home by
9:00pm, my baby boy would have been fast asleep
and this cycle continues for several days until you
are off duty once in maybe two weeks or so.
Sometimes I hug him, kiss him, hold him close yet he
doesn't see any of those. A driver takes him to school
in the, morning and his aunty or grandma picks him
up after school and takes care of his feeding,
bathing, homework etc. Gradually, that mother-
baby bond becomes faint and baby gets more
attached to other care givers. Hmmmmm
Parents who double as students mostly do so to
upgrade themselves and in a way increase their
salaries at their various offices, so to speak. They
also do so to acquire knowledge and broaden their
horizon. Even though it isn't an easy task, everyone
should endeavour to upgrade herself to be in tune
with the changing times. Student-parents should be
encouraged every now and then to keep pushing up
the academic ladder. To mothers who are using
children as an excuse for not furthering your
education, I say place no limitation on yourself,
come join us, lets skip the challenges associated with
student-parenting, for ourselves and for the future
of our children.
Often, Christians relegate the works of the Holy Spirit to ministry in the Church and therefore do not really see the important role of the Holy Spirit in our daily and academic lives. In view of this, you will see students struggling to achieve their academics goals. Having been in the academia for a while, I have come to the conclusion that students can do better and achieve academic excellence with ease
EXCELLENCE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
By Rev. Dr. Peter White
ACHIEVING ACADEMIC
when they learn to rely on the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.
The truth is that, human beings are limited in diverse ways that is why it is very important that students learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. I quite remember that during the first week of my MastersDegreeprogramme at the University of Ghana, Legon, I struggled to really capture the
9
import of what the lecturers were teaching. That was when I saw how limited I was and it became the turning point in my life to rely on the Holy Spirit to be the helper and teacher in my academic pursuit. Since then, my life has never been the same. Before that experience, I only knew the role of the Holy Spirit in relation to ministration of the Gospel and studying the Bible but had no knowledge of the relevance of the Holy Spirit to academic life.
It is very essential at this point to note that the grace
and the power to achieve academic excellence come
from the Holy Spirit. According to Daniel 1:17, what
made Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to
have knowledge and skill in all literature or
subjects, and be ten times better than their other
colleagues was the divine ability God gave them.
The Scripture said, “God gave them knowledge
and skill in all literature and wisdom”. In
Daniel 6:3, we read, “Daniel distinguished
himself above the governors and satraps,
because an excellent spirit was in him; and
the king gave thought to setting him over the whole
realm”.
Excellence is a quality of being outstanding. God is a God of excellence and therefore wants believers to exhibit excellence in every sphere of their lives. Although the Holy Spirit is one, his manifestations are in diverse ways. In Daniel 6:3, the Holy Spirit manifested himself in the form of the Spirit of excellence. Students can equally pray to God for the spirit of excellence to manifest in their academic lives and it shall be done. In a similar way, students can also ask God to endow them with the knowledge
and skill they need as far as their academic lives are concerned and it will be so. In fact, the Holy Spirit can transform a dull student into a first class student. Jesus Christ said “but the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). In this context, it is clearly noted that the Holy Spirit is a teacher and also gives retentive memory to those who ask for His help.
Additionally, the following personal effortmust also be made;
· Always invite the Holy Spirit to give you understanding during your lecture periods and personal study time.
· Have a timetable for learning. · Live a disciplined life· Minimise the use of social media.· If possible join a study group.· Visit the library for further study and get
acquainted with books and materials in your area of study. Great achievers always go the extra mile.
Having said the above, you cannot experience the help of the Holy Spirit, until you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is an opportunity for you to invite Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Saviour of your life (Roman 10:9-10). I wish you all the best in your academic endeavours, and may the Holy Spirit help you to achieve your academic goals in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Kumasi has evolved over the last decade and half, and will continue to grow. What a change a decade and half makes. Kumasi has come a long way. Our forebears prided themselves on living in the garden city of Kumasi. Now new infrastructure such as shopping malls and air transport services have sprung up.
Air transport as a means of commuting from one city to the other, has over the years improved. There is a sharp rise of domestic airline operations from a single flight to multiple flights per day. According to an editorial published in “Graphic Online” March 2014, passenger numbers from 85,156 has risen to 600,000 as of 2013. This reaction from the industry players is unbelievable but impressive in a sense.
Added to that, indigenous businesses have taken advantage of the aviation boom. The latest is the youngest of the Ghanaian registered operators, Africa World Airlines, making Kumasi’s skyline busy on daily basis.
The hospitality industry has enjoyed its fair share of the change in the metropolis. Hotels, amusement parks, chain of restaurants just to mention a few,are cashing in due to influx of visitors on daily basis. A region touted as peaceful and with less traffic congestion by some tourists, has over years has won the hearts of many Chinese and other nationals into the region. Many tourists feel welcomed due to the first class African hospitality they enjoy. The Royal Seat of the Ashanti Kingdom is an added advantage which drives people from all walks of life to come do business.
THE CHANGING FACE OF KUMASIBy Patrick Y. Dogbey and EbidoEsanyen
10
BREAST CARE INTERNATIONAL GHANA Early Detection Saves Life
Breast Care International (BCI) is a Kumasi based non-governmental organization (NGO) with the vision to be a leading breast healthcare organization in Africa, providing enabling environment to control the incidence of breast Cancer in women. BCI has over the past seven years been conducting outreach programs for women, especially those in deprived communities of Ghana: educating, and screening the public for breast cancer - a killer disease that has a matchless attitude to destroy the lives of women in their prime.
Kumasi:Peace & Love HospitalBreast Care International AvenueOdoum - KumasiAshanti RegionGhana, West Africa
Accra:Peace & Love HospitalSpintex Road, near Zenith BankGhanaEmail: [email protected]
Phone: +233 (0) 24 4145064 Fax: +233 (0) 305-60407 Mobile: +233 (0) 20 8168513
Website: http://www.breastcareghana.com || www.brestcareinternational.org
11
As part of the on-going reforms at the CSUC, the
Executive Committee has decided to introduce the
'Education for total life' string of courses to enrich
the teaching curriculum and prepare students to live
a more fruitful and holistic life after graduation.
These courses are; Life Planning, People and
Society, Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Development and they would complement already
existing courses namely Biblical Studies and Ethics.
According to the CSUC President, Prof. Sam Afrane,
the courses wil l be integrated into the
Education for Total Life
undergraduate programmes at different levels and
they will be taught on seminar basis by experienced
resource persons.
“We hope this will bring a new dimension to our
training of students and invariably, enhance our
competitiveness,” Prof. Afrane added.
“Anyone who wants to learn something more other
than examinations will find that the library is very
important to achieving that goal because it is the
powerhouse of learning for universities,” asserted
Rt. Rev. Prof.Osei Safo Kantanka, the Chairman of
the CSUC Council. Prof. Safo Kantanka said this
during the commissioning of the six-storey state of
the art ICT and Library Complex of the CSUC.
The President of the CSUC, Prof. Sam Afrane added
that the library is stocked with electronic books and
materials that will make it easy for students to
access them from their homes, wherever, they may
be. This facility will remove inconveniences and
excuses students make such as demands of their
work schedules not allowing them to have more
time to read and prepare for assignments and other
presentations.
“The e-library carried on the wheels of distance
learning will enhance students' post-classroom
studies, research and enquiries. Lecturers will get
their teaching learning materials online through the
e-learning mode to enable students interact more
effectively with the study materials as they apply it to
conduct research and build their knowledge base,”
said Prof. Afrane.
“We are excited about the space and facilities
afforded us by this new library,” said Mr. Frank Adu
Duffour, the Students' Representative Council
president.
“The main advantage of this library is the space;
there is a staff reading room, conference room, suite
for focus group discussions,” the Council Chairman
said.
Mr. Yaw Senya, the CSUC Librarian added that the
library has almost a 160 seater capacity, more
computers, lockers for all patrons, a graduate
research and reading room and an open access
facility. He added that the facility has a sound-proof
space that is congenial for learning.
Quality Education on the wheels of CSUC's e-LibraryBy Adwoa S. Amankwah & Richard Opoku
Part of on-going reforms
12
As part of the ongoing reforms, the Partnership
Development Office and Alumni Relations Unit, has
worked hard to improve the University College's
relationship with its alumni and strengthen the
CSUC Alumni Association.
In this respect, electronic voting for local and thinternational alumni was organised on the 15 of
December, 2015 at the CSUC to elect substantive
executives for the Association.
The University College takes cognisance of the
invaluable contribution the alumni can make to
brand and publicise the CSUC. In its turn, the CSUC
would contribute practically to the development of
its alumni by organising professional short courses,
seminars and workshops for them.
In line with CSUC's proactive problem-based
teaching-learning approach, level 400 students of
the CSUC's School of Business have presented their
team business proposals.
The team business proposals, an epitome of the
problem-based learning approach, is a learning
mode where lecturers of the related areas guide
students to identify problems in industry,
investigate them and apply the requisite solutions to
resolve them.
Frank Adu Duffour, level 400 Accounting student
and his team for instance investigated a Small to
Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) named Winkyd off
the Tanoso-Abuakwa Road. The SME operated
largely as mobile money merchant separately from
giant companies such as MTN.
According to Mr. Duffour, although Winkyd Co. Ltd
was tastefully decorated, his team discovered that
Winkyad had a low market share framework. So the
team got to work applying workable business
The CSUC-Alumni Partnerships
p r i n c i p l e s t h a t t h e y p u t t o g e t h e r a s
recommendations to help grow that business.
“We have recommended to the owner of Winkyd to
employ and train appropriate staff with the required
skills and competence. We also suggested that they
have a higher cash reserve so they can make higher
payments for clients who might want to transact
amounts such as 500 Ghana cedis and above,”
explained Mr. Adu Duffour.
CSUC School of Business Team Projects
By Adwoa S. Amankwah
By Nkrumah Stephen, KwadwoAdu-Gyamfi & Osei Kofi Serebour
13
The CSUC Department of Nursing seeks to train
highly qualified and competent degree nurses who
will attend to patients with compassion, skill and
excellence. Hence as part of regular practical
training students are given, they are trained through
practical attachments to hospitals and in house by
their lecturers to conduct typical duties that they are
expected to perform (via a simulation exercise).
Below are some of the duties they are trained to
perform as future nurses.
Felix Addo a level 300 student who took part in the
simulation process had this to say " the whole
procedure was cool but because I was under close
supervision I was a bit nervous, which is normal
though”
According to Madam Constance a Clinical instructor
at the demonstration lab "the students seem to be
applying the correct procedures per the tasks they
are performing, for both practicing and student
nurses. And that is a very good thing".
The nursing department in the University is a
thriving department, with the intention of churning
out high grade health professionals for the Health
Sector in Ghana was inaugurated in September
2014.
The typical schedule of a student nurse
Some students also had practicals on setting up an IV infusion
Security on CSUC campus
Security is invisible and many institutions mostly
those found in the developing countries feel
reluctant to invest much because it is only
considered as expenditure on the balance sheet.
“CSUC for many years now has been on top of
security and has recorded low incidents of security
threats because the University College does not take
security of staff, students and visitors for
These students are filling a patience care plan for potential patients
A student simulating an intervention for a fever patient
Clinical instructors evaluating students performance
By Kwawu Celia Efe Seyram, Ansah Jeffrey and Owusu Moses Kobi
By Kate Sam-Ackah
14
granted"revealed Mr. John Azeeko, Chief Security
Officer at CSUC.
Mr. Azeekosaid that owners of vehicles on campus
are advised to adapt the reverse parking style so that
in cases of emergency and incidents such as fire
outbreak, drivers can quickly drive off.
In ensuring students' safety during lecture hours,
the security check point is closed and security
officers move around both inside and outside
campus to ensure that cars are safe from robbery.
Inspector James Oubik Senaki of the Mobile Force
Unit Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana
Police Service said the presence of the Police at night
on the main street adjacent the CSUC campus has
brought relief to both students and drivers. It has
contributed to reducing the rate of robbery attacks
in the Odeneho Kwadaso Area.
Tit-bits from the CSUC Security Unit
- Remember to lock your door whenever you
are leaving your car and your room or office.
- Change promptly the lock in your door when
your key is missing and also report the
incident.
- Lock your door when asleep.
- Record the registration number of every
commercial vehicle you board during your
rounds.
- Never board a taxi with all-male occupants
already in. Beware also of taxis with a female
occupants. The female passenger may be
used as a deco to rob you.
- Always walk in pairs, or in groups and at well-
lit areas
- Avoid using isolated foot path and short-
cuts.
- Avoid the services of errand boys; they may
monitor your movements and rob you later
or give information to their accomplices.
- Do not entertain hawkers on campus and at
the hostels, they may be criminals.
- Beware of the type of friends you entertain in
your rooms; they may be predators and
criminals.
- Report every unusual occurrence promptly
to the security office for immediate
assistance.
- Ladies must not wear heels when going for all
night church service and clubs but rather flat
shoes to be able to run when there's an
incident.
Education at CSUC has been made easier, more
convenient and enjoyable with the establishment of
the CSUC mini mall right on the ground floor of the
six-storey Executive Hostel on the CSUC campus.
Sales person, Ivy Debrah says both students and
staff patronise the mall. The prices are very
affordable much like that in town. Some of the items
on sale include books, drinks, confectionary,
provisions and toiletries.Come get your groceries
and other essentials at the mall. We are open from
Monday to Friday, 8am-7pm and Saturdays 8am to
5pm.You are warmly welcome to visit the shop.
Eat well and keep fit
CSUC mini-mall
By Antwi Godfred, Dufie Nyamekye Sarah, Ngozi Gladys, Gillian Anima Asare
15
The CSUC Executive Hostel, among a number of
other facilities that it has such as a hair salon, a
laundrette, reading rooms, prayer hall, and mini
mall, also boasts of a modern gymnasium on the
ground floor of the Hostel.
The gymnasium has modern accoutrements for
exercising the body. The equipment enables patrons
– both students and the public - to work out and stay
fit. The registration and training fees are moderate
and very affordable. Please feel welcome to call in.
Gymnasium
KEEP FIT
It is amazing how we condemn murderers but we give our support to mothers who claim they do not want their pregnancies, to kill their unborn babies. When a pregnancy is intentionally terminated so that it doesn’t result in the birth of a child, it is known as abortion.
The question I keep asking myself is, does any human being have the right to determine whether another human being must live or not? Some mothers have become silent killers. Families and society have turned blind eyes and have developed deaf ears to these atrocities against humanity. Our only excuse is that the mother is not ready for a baby now.
As a society, it is our communal duty to be each other’s keep whether born or unborn. We should always remember that from the first time a woman misses her period, the baby’s heart begins to beat. This makes the so called fetus a hundred percent human.
We preach about world peace yet mothers are at war with their own babies. Let us not forget that abortion does not end it all. Some women after having an abortion are tormented emotionally. There are feelings of regret or anger. Others also have a feeling of shame, nightmares, isolation, insomnia and loss
MOTHERS AT WAR WITH
THEIR BABIES
of confidence. Besides the emotional effects others also experience physical effects. Some women have abdominal pains and cramps, they may also have serious bleeding. Others have their wombs damaged to the extent that they will never conceive again.“Abortion can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical damage and uterine perforation” explained Dr. Kwaky, a gynaecologist at the Afari Community Hospital. People make the mistake that abortion is solely an emotional issue and therefore can not be related to effects on the economy but this is a wrong perception. Most of these abortionistsdon’t pay taxes to the government on the profit being made illegally. It is horrible that these innocent babies are murdered but can you image the contributions these millions of lives would have made to improve our economy? Perhaps one of them could have found a cure for AIDS, cancer or asthma just to name a few.
However, a pregnancy can harm the mother or if both mother and child can loose their lives, it is necessary to perform a surgical abortion by a licensed medical doctor. In the case of incest or rape resulting in pregnancy, the question of abortion is more ethical.
But I keep asking myself this, must an innocent baby suffer a death penalty because its father is a criminal? We must always remember that that child is also a part of the woman. The bond between the mother and child is stronger because of the umbilical cord that binds them together. The Bible says we should train a child the way he should go, so that when he grows he will not depart from it. I believe the son of a raped victim, if he is brought up properly, could grow up to be a better human being. We must all be capable of recognizing the worth, rights and intrinsic value of human life.
By Monica Nyarko and Amoako Richard Kusi
16
Ghana is currently undergoing electricity crisis, popularly called "Dumsor", which is having a monumentally bad effect on the nation's people, its industries and the economy and the government seems clueless about how to resolve this situation. However, the situation has compelled ECG, Ghana's main power distributor, to introduce a load shedding timetable to manage the situation and regulate the supply but many times this schedule is not accurately followed. This has drawn a wide range of reactions from domestic power consumers as many small scale business owners complained about the adverse effects this is having on their businesses. The notable small scale business owners hugely affected by ordeal are the cold store owners, hair salon owners, printing press owners and the likes whose operations are largely dependent on the use of power supply. Apart from the supply being erratic and inconsistent, it has also become very unpredictable which incapacitates these business owners in their plans for their businesses.
"I don't bring in much stock as I used to anymore for the fear that the stock might go bad which will make me lose money because of dumsor", said Abena Konadu, a cold store owner. "We are not even sure of when the lights will be on or off because the load shedding schedule is not followed. The situation is badly affecting our businesses, cartons of fish are left to go bad and we discard them everyday ", she added.
"These days when we go to work, we only resort to playing Ludo and chat all day because there is absolutely no work to do due to the power supply", stated Comfort Agyeiwaa, a hair salon owner. She added that since the epileptic supply of power became intense, she has lost all her customers because she cannot service their needs when these customers make the call.
The current erratic supply of energy is causing industries to lay off workers because they afford to run these industries with a large staff. According to Adom-online, about 560 members of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) have been laid off since January as a result of the energy crisis and other industrial concerns. Speaking on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem, the General Secretary of ICU, Mr Solomon Kotei revealed that the inconsistencies in power in power supply has affected production in most industries and thus compelling them to lay off workers. Adom-online also reports that the Chocho industries have revealed plans to lay off workers if the erratic power supply persists.
"The total number of employees laid off as a result of dumsor is about fifteen (15), but I still have the intention of laying more off next month", said Alhaji Mustapha Oti Boateng, Chief Executive Officer of Chocho Industries Limited in a interview with Adom TV's Samuel Sefa.
He added that his industry spends GHC1000 daily on fuel because of the intense load shedding and as a result has increased its cost of production.Many industries are now operating on their own power plants and generators in order to satisfy the needs of their customers or keep their industries from collapsing. This, in effect, has increased the cost of production of these industries. This extra cost is transferred to the consumers as prices of goods and services are therefore increased in order for business owners to have their profits at the expense of the consumers.
"The price of the cost of making my hair has increased because my hair dresser uses a generator", said a customer of a salon. She also added that sometimes the noise and pollution made by the generator makes life unbearable for them at the salon.
Dumsor:At what cost?By Charles Opoku & Onwudiwe Francis
17
Cracked Calabash
Poem by Mrs. Cecilia Boakye Botwe
It is that time of the year again. It is the examinations season at CSUC. The campus is quite with few distractions. Small clusters of students meet under tree, in classrooms, under canopies, in vehicles and other places reading, researching, discussing their notes and so on, all in preparation for their examinations.
During examination periods, no lecture hall is opened for students to access; they are closed until the time for writing the papers to ensure the orderly arrangement of examination venues and prevent students sending or hiding foreign materials "apoo" into the halls before the examination starts.
Smiling brightly round all, the plumped plantain leaf was a better coverAmidst green carpets, tender and soft to sit onSongs of birds infiltrated the cool hideoutAs they marched pass, uncaring of they that sat closed bySlowly but surely, carrying heavy loads to where one could not find or trace easilyA crawling one climbed the nearby palm tree, exhilarated by the bright smile that fell on it
Fetching firewood for the fireTouch of magic Falling with stomach flat on the surface of mother earthTaking deeper breaths of life blew, blew, blew Fetching, adding more firewoodThe tiny glow was a welcoming reward
Soon sounds of rumbling waves echoed, mixed with the chirpingEars tingled with hope, anticipating the calming down of the empty bowl
Sitting and whispering excitedlyEnding the long wait, hands took and finished Sent to fetch the calabash was but a botherEntering into the enclosed for it
Not seeing but touchingPulling and pulling, scrambling and scramblingNicely shaped, curved roundlyPlacing it separately, rest covered by palm handsNone could compare its sweet aroma as patched lips sippedPouring endlessly
Heavy lids wandering to and froSeeking, searching, seeing all but nothingHitting on it, cracked and pushed rudelySelling and exchanging for the metalHeavy lids lost in faint memoriesStill holding on to the shadowsHeavy lids slumber on, hoping against hope
Students are thoroughly checked before entering the hall, mobile phones, sheets and other materials are not allowed inside. Items allowed into the examination halls are students' identification cards, which show that the person is a student of the school, examination pass, which also shows that the student has fully paid his or her fees as well as pens, pencils and calculators.
All examinations are conducted in a spacious hall, and the number of invigilators depend on the size of the students at the hall. Checks at the Examination Board suggest that one invigilator supervises 20 students.
Writing of examination papers is mostly done in the evening, between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, in consideration of the students who are workers, throughout the week with the exception of Sundays. Some of the regular students write theirs at 8am and 12pm.
THE INTEGRITY OF EXAMINATIONS AT CSUCBy Adwoa Animah, Appiah Francis and DeGraft Anokye Emmanuel
18
Students who are caught cheating during examinations are punished, and the type of punishment is dependent on the magnitude of the cheating.
In an interview with the Examination Coordinator Rev. Justice Boffah Pokumensah, a Communication Lecturer, he said there are five sanctions that are meted out to students caught cheating during examinations. These are: warning, cancelling of the paper, counseling, rustication (for one year) and dismissal.
In warning, a letter is served to the student reprimanding and warning him or her to desist from the act. The paper in which the student is caught cheating in is cancelled and the student made to re
write the paper. Students caught cheating are sometimes counseled to determine if they need help psychologically, spiritually or need assistance in learning.
Rustication takes the form of suspension of the student for two semesters (one year), and the student is allowed to write all papers again. Depending on the gravity of the cheating, student is dismissed outright from the school.
The University Examinations Coordinator, explained that the students are brought before the Disciplinary Committee and upon interrogation, appropriate sanctions are recommended to the President of the school for implementation.
Christian Service University College is not the first Christian institution to introduce mentorship programmes. Christian universities such as Pentecost University College and Valley View University College also have such programmes. But what distinguishes the Christian Service University College mentorship programme from the others, is the fact that students are put into small families (groups) with each family having its own mentor. The idea behind this is to enable CSUC reach out to its individual students and meet them at the point of their need holistically – academically, spiritually, socially.
Rev. Dr. Peter White, the facilitator of the FAPP Programme explained that the Programme aims at inculcating sound Christian values and principles into the lives of students as part of CSUC’s core mandate. Therefore, even though the Programme attracts one credit hour, it is still mandatory for every student and a pre-requisite for successful graduation and students are credited based on participation and attendance.
Mr. Ginn Assibey, a lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies and one of the mentors for the Programme, is highly delighted to be a part of this wonderful programme because it allows him to share his Christian Faith and also impact his strong
moral values and life experiences with his mentees, stressing that, “as a FAPP leader, I have witnessed a significant improvement in attendance and participation of my members.”
A number of students are of the opinion that FAPP is a good programme and it has helped in shaping both their academic and moral lives. Others also said that through the FAAP programme they now have renewed energy to go about both their academic and normal daily lives.
“FAPP has helped me to manage my time well”said YawAgyarko, a level 300 student of Communication Studies.
“FAPP is a wonderful idea and I applaud the authorities for it because it has enriched my spiritual life more” added level 400 Business Studies student Justice Awuah.
It is the hope of the C.S.U.C authorities that students will take full advantage of this programme to elevate the quality of their studies and their lives outside the campus.
FAPP Integrating Faith with Practice
By Monica Nyarko and Amoako Richard Kusi
19
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and thguest speaker at the 40 Matriculation ceremony of
CSUC, Prof. Samuel Nii Odai, has urged students to
adopt 'observation' as a field of study to advance the
development of the society.
Prof. Samuel Nii Odai, speaking on the theme “the
opportunities and challenges of university st
education in the 21 century – implications for first
year students,” advised students to study how
society works, identify problems that need solutions
and apply the knowledge they have acquired to solve
them.
“You get paid for solving problems and doing what
others do not want to do. So while at school, develop
skills you can use in the future” Prof. Odai asserted.
Citing the trend of leadership in the major thriving
industries in Ghana, namely mining, timber and
petroleum, Prof. Odai said these industries are often
managed and driven by foreign expatriates. This is
because modern economies transcend geo-political
boundaries.
“But the problem with us as is that, foreigners are
willing to solve problems that our people consider to
be beneath them,” added the KNUST Pro Vice
Chancellor.
Prof. Odai cited the case of China, where within the
Shanghai province, an enterprising business man
has set up a growing online shopping mall -
“Alibaba.com” - that delivers groceries, foodstuff
and other basic necessities to the doorsteps of busy
online shoppers.
“The businessman identified a need and went out to
solve it. He has been so successful at this that his
business is providing stiff competition to
Amazon.com, the renowned online shopping
company” added Prof. Odai.
Mrs. Mabel Gyamfi, proprietor of Pat Doramo
International School in Kumasi and a parent of one
of the matriculants, added that she educates her
ward at CSUC because at the University College,
students are sure of being given the right Christian,
academic and moral training that will enable them
Divisional Police Commander of Suame, Chief
Superintendent D. O. Lomotey, has urged CSUC
staff, students and the public not to display personal
items such as expensive and sophisticated mobile
phones, bags, laptops and tablets in public. Chief
Superintendent Lomotey disclosed this during the
CSUC Theology Department's Mirror of Life
Seminar Series on combating crime and drugs.
Mirror of Life Series on combating crime and drugs
According to him, such personal belongings catch
the attention of thieves, robbers and drug addicts,
who make the owners of these properties their
target.
“Some drug addicts go to the extent of stealing
family valuable items and huge sums of money to
satisfy their craving for drugs,” added one of the
Prof. Samuel Nii Odai - Pro-Vice Chancellor, KNUST
KNUST Pro-Vice Chancellor recommends 'observational' mode of study. By Baidoo, Bernard Ofori, Isaac Opoku, Nkrumah Stephen
By Adwoa S. Amankwah, Obeng Abigail, Kwame Antwi Adomako
20
Superintendent Justice Essumang, Regional
Paralegal Officer chipped in later.
He advised participants to desist from acts that will
take them to the prison.
Mrs. Christine Nancy Adjei Glover, lecturer at the
Theology Department and the main organiser for the
Mirror of Life Series said the topic - combating crime
and drugs - was selected as means of enlightening
the youth on the dangers of engaging in crime and
drug addiction.
As part of routine measures to ensure fire safety at CSUC, the Universty College liaises with the Ghana National Fire Service, Regional Headquarters, Kumasi-Atonsu or the KNUST Fire Station for periodic fire safety training for its security personnel, students, teaching and non teaching staff. The purpose of the training is to learn about fire management. Staff are advised to turn off their electrical gadgets such as fridges, air conditioners and lights after close of work.
According to Mr. Joe Kontor-Manu, Senior Estate Officer at CSUC, fire smoke detectors, fire safety indicators and fire extinguishers have been installed at vantage points in the buildings - lecture halls, offices and corridors - to enhance quick detection and extinguishing of fires before calling on the Ghana National Fire Service for assistance.
Mr. Felix Appiah, the Hostel Manager explained the rules and regulations concerning the use of
prescribed gadgets such as electrical irons, laptops, cookers and so on at the hostel. He added that students cook at the balcony in line with fire safety practices.In sum, the management of CSUC has put in place effective measures to ensure a fire- free campus. But in the event of any fires, just apply the PASS method to use the fire extinguisher. 1. P – Pull the safety pin 2. A – Aim/point nozzle to base or seat of the fire3. S – Squeeze/press the handle and 4. S – Sweep the nozzle left to rightPoor awareness of what fire is and how it can be prevented has led to a lot of fire outbreak. Information about fire, how to prepare for fire disaster and how to prevent fires can be found in many parts of the institution.
FIRE SAFETY AT CSUCBy Kwawu Celia Efe Seyram, Ansah Jefferey and Owusu Moses Kobi
facilitators, Prof. Mrs. Thelma Owusu-Daaku,
former president of the CSUC and professor at the
Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (KNUST).
Prof. Mrs. Owusu-Daaku advised seminar
participants comprising of CSUC staff and students,
JSS pupils and teachers of Martyrs of Uganda School
and members of the public to avoid a dependency on
drugs in the first place.
“Once you are brought into the four corners of the
prison, it's our duty to ensure you stay here”.
21
Chief Superintendent Lomotey
CSUC Security Personel demonstrating the use of the fire extinguisher
A section of the audience
While the Lord Jesus Christ implores His Church to “pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:38 NKJV), there are unscrupulous self-made prophets, pastors, evangelists, apostles and teachers who distort the real meaning of Biblical counseling to suit their nefarious enterprise popularly known as “akwankyere” This untoward scheme is deep-rooted in the Ghanaian society. Flamboyantly promoted by so-called men and women of God, the “akwankyere” endemic causes a lot of chaos to the Ghanaian populace.
Jesus warns His disciples to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves…by their fruits you will recognize them.” (Matt. 7:15-20 NKJV). Though there are many characteristics of false ministers, few of them are listed below; 1.Practitioners (false counselors/ministers) quote and interpret biblical passages out of context to suit their whims and caprice –to firmly support their business.2. They condemn theological education.3. They are not accountable to any Christian organization –they go ‘solo’.4. They sell all types of anointing oil, banner/sticker, soap, perfume, handkerchief, bottled holy water, and so on to their counselees.5. They minister according to the strategy of Satan, with powers, signs, and lying wonders (2 Thess. 2:9). 6. They do not teach nor preach Biblical Christian values7. The reality of Heaven and Hell are insignificant to them.
Practitioners of popular “akwankyere” mechanized business subject their counselees to various types of abuses. Here are few examples; 1.Some counselees are raped.2. All counselees are financially exploited.3. Almost all counselees are tortured emotionally and psychologically with fear of family members and others bewitching them. 4. Others are inflicted with chronic health issues as a result of unbiblical fasting.5. Some of the counselees end up in prisons with fake travel documents in foreign countries.6. Some counselees experience unrepaired broken marital and family ties.7. The faith of counselees is exclusively rooted in these false prophets (practitioners).
Prayer for both false prophets/counselors and their counselees; I pray that the Holy Spirit will open their spiritual minds to enable them comprehend the magnitude of God’s love for them and further lavish upon them an unquenchable thirst to love and serve God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
Counsel for both false prophets/counselors and their counselees; I counsel them to accept Jesus Christ into their life for a perpetual communion with the Godhead. Be part of a church that ascribes Lordship and Headship to Jesus Christ, and fellowship with them with deep sense of commitment.
Remember, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
BEWARE OF ‘AKWANKYERE’
By Rev. Dr. David Okai
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Breast surgeon, consultant in breast care management and President of Breast Care International (BCI), an NGO championing the fight against breast cancer, Dr. Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai urges women to fight the breast cancer disease. She explains that perception surrounding it makes it difficult to fight the disease.
"Most breast cancer patients feel it is spiritual and should be handled spiritually, but that is not so," Dr. Mrs. Wiafe Addai explains.
"In view of this they spend a lot of time at prayer camps fighting the disease. Some also apply herbs on the breast as a way of curing the disease. While doing that they are wasting time, so by the time they come to the hospital the disease has already spread to the target organs which are the liver, the lungs, the brain and the bone, and their chance of surviving is very slim" added Dr. Mrs Wiafe.
Breast Cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 70 percent of all cancer deaths occurs in the developing world and by the year 2030, 75 percent of all cancer deaths will occur in the developing world. It is also estimated that one out of every eight women can develop breast cancer in her lifestyle, and in every 69 seconds, a woman somewhere in the world dies of breast cancer.
FIGHTING BREAST CANCERIn view of all these misconceptions surrounding the disease, breast cancer has been stigmatized in the country so a lot of people do not want to associate themselves with the disease.
She further explained that trying to change the mindset of people has been a very difficult task especially when they have formed their perceptions
about it already. "In order to change these misconceptions, BCI has targeted the youth in the junior and senior high schools for the education of the disease. These groups of people can read, write and access the internet for information on the disease. By the time these people are grown up they will not be superstitious as the old aged and they will be able to educate their families and their communities on the disease", she added.
PREVENTIONDr. Mrs Wiafe Addai, who has over twenty years of experience as a medical doctor, said breast cancer is a curable disease, when detected early and appropriate action taken, it is a highly treatable disease. She outlined some of the prevention on the disease below.
Though primary prevention is not possible, it can be prevented by regular screening of the breasts. It is important to note that disease is not painful in most women.
Breast Care Examination (BCE) is another way of detecting the disease. Every woman should examine her breast at least once every month. It is also advised for clinically breast screening by the qualified person who will examine the breast for lumps at least once a year.
Another type of screening is Mammography, which should be done from age forty, and age thirty five with those who have positive family history.
Women should also do away with misconceptions surrounding the disease. Breast cancer is not caused by the witchcraft. It is preventable, treatable and survivable. Please note that EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES.
Fight Breast
Cancer BY APPIAH FRANCIS & SPIO-GARBRAH BEATRICEDr. Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai
- President, Breast Care International (BCI)
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In 2006 with very little capital, I rented a shop at Asafo in Kumasi, got a printing machine from someone at the cost of 100 million cedis. I paid an initial deposit of 40 million cedis and was left with 60 million cedis. The owner of the machine gave me six months to pay for the rest of it. I worked 24 hours a day to pay the rest of the money.
My ability to pay within the time given me, fostered a relationship built on trust between Mr. Appiah Kubi (the owner of printing machine who lived in Germany) and l. In 2007, Mr. Appiah Kubi brought me another printing machine, which I bought. I paid for it in that same year and I set up another shop.
In the same year, 2007, he brought another machine to me and asked me to become his representative in Ghana. Since then, I have been selling printing machines, heavy duty machines and other printing accessories as well.
2008 came and Mr. Appiah Kubi brought me a machine for pre-press work, to get copies ready for printing. I set up a designing section.
Before the pre-press machine came in, work was slow, the quality was not too good, but with the new machine, the job got done faster, the quality was better and this attracted more customers to my shop and more contracts for my business.
Now, my company is one of the leading publishing houses in the Ashanti Region. We deliver on time, offer affordable prices, focus on quality and educate customers on various publishing issues.
In future, we aspire to be the first printing house in Ghana, set up a printing school to train people to deliver quality publishing starting from designing to the post-press stage to service the print industry in Ghana.
Classic Graphics has international partnerships with foreign companies. It is the sole representative for Vanxon Company Ltd in Holland, formed in 1872, one of the biggest ink manufacturers in Europe.
My piece of advice to young people is that they should be faithful and disciplined in all that they do, trust in God and work hard. It is not where you come from but what you do with what you have that matters.
I am Paul K. Acheampong, level 300 Print Journalism student of the Communication Studies Department and best student entrepreneur for the CSUC Ransford Senavoe Awards (2014/2015).
Tracing the footprints of a budding entrepreneur
Paul K. Acheampong - Ceo Classic GraphicsBy Kate Sem-Ackah, Comfort Kumatse
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Manchester United manager Louis Van Gal takes charge of the old Trafford outfit for the second time after guiding them back to champions’ league football in his first season. This was seen as a good job done from most fans of Man United since they had a turbulent season under previous manager David Moyes, that led to the club finishing 7th and missing out on Champions league football. But new manager Van Gal has overseen a major overhaul of United’s squad bringing in top-notch names to old Trafford. With the huge spending in his first season as well as the start of this new season, nothing short of a major trophy for United is expected.
Van Gals’ first season at United saw players like Ferdinand, Evra, Vidic, Welbeck, Nani and a host of other first team players depart from the club. New recruits were Shaw, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao. Van Gal had a tough start as United’s manger last season managing just three points from possible 15 points. But United bounced back strongly as the season progressed winning some important games like the Manchester Derby, beating Liverpool on both legs and Arsenal as well.
This current season has also seen further changes at the old Trafford outfit that saw players like Di Maria, Robin Van Persie, Radamel Falcao amongst others headed for the exit door for Memphis Depay, Bastian Swienstiger, Anthony Martial and Sergio
Romero. The Dutchman seems to have gotten the caliber of players who would fit into his “philosophy” and nothing but success is expected of him at the end of this season.
United has started the season well as compared to last season. They lie 4th on the premier league table with four points separating them from leaders Manchester City. They are also on top of their champions’ league group with seven points with two matches to go. But there is a bit of inconsistency in their performance so far this season drawing most of the games and failing to score for three matches in a row that included their early exit of the capital o n e - c u p a g a i n s t c h a m p i o n s h i p s i d e middlesborough. This has led to criticisms of the Dutchman’s style from most of United’s former players particularly Paul Scholes who blamed United’s lack of goals on how Van Gal sets up his team. But the former Bayern Munich manager seems not concern about his critics and pledged to do everything he can to get Man United to where it belongs.
Will the Dutchman prove his critics wrong or will it be another frustrating season for the Red Devils since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Well, that will be known at the end of the season but Van Gal certainly knows with this huge spending, a trophyless season for United under his care will not be a good record on his CV.
CUP OR BUST FOR VAN GAL?Louis Van Gal
Emmanuel Amankwah and William Nana Yaw Wilberforce
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The Christian Service University College has over the years depended on the fees of studentsas its main source of income to finance its day-to-day administration and management. This source of income is also used to finance capital projects.
The challenge faced by managers of CSUC is that, the reliance on fees affects the completion of projects embarked on by the University College. Three-year projects are completed in five years and this situation does not augur well for the development of the University College in terms of expansion of academic facilities, student enrolment , s ta f f recrui tment and s taf f development.
Capital projects require a lot of financial investment and CSUC needs support to fulfil and surpass its mission of providing a sound Christian and ethical environment for training people who will transform the society. The Christian Service University College needs the support of corporate bodies – private and
CSUC fundable projects: support a worthy cause
public; partners, individuals and families who share and believe in the core values of the institution to support the development of the University College. The Christian Service University College(CSUC), was established as Christian Service College in 1974 to train people for Christian ministry. It became a University College on 31st October 2005 and currently runs undergraduate degree programmes in Theology, Nursing, Planning and Social Development, Computer Science, Information Technology, Communication Studies and Business Administration. The University College also offers a master’s degree programme in Christian Ministry and Management and plans are advanced to start a M a s t e r o f B u s i n e s s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (MBA)programme.
The following are the fundable projects that CSUC is seeking support from corporate bodies, families, individuals and Christian organisations for.
CSUC Community Radio Project / Communication
Laboratory
Replacement of lecture hall chairs
Expansion and purchase of equipment for the
Nursing Demonstration Centre
CSUC Auditorium Refurbishment
Business Plan Competition among students
Alternative Energy Project
ICT Expansion (Computers and ICT gadgets and
tools )
Operation “Support Us Complete Payment”
Scholarships – brilliant but needy students
Annual Awards For Staff
Staff Training And Development
Internship Development Centre
For enquiries, please contact:The PresidentChristian Service University CollegeP. O. Box 3110-KumasiTel: 0501-500-302
Fundable Projects
CSUC Centre for Leadership and Professional Development - 2016 Up-coming Courses Executive Certificate in Project Management - February - April, 2016 CERTIFICATE In Public Relations - February, 2016 CERTIFICATE in Biblical Counselling - February, 2016 CERTIFICATE In Strategic & Financial Management- February - March, 2016CERTIFICATE In Public Speaking Skills - March, 2016Certificate in CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP - March, 2016Project Management for Faith Based NGOs- March, 2016CERTIFICATE COURSE: Finance for Non-Financial Managers - April, 2016
"SPECIAL TRAINING PACKAGE FOR CHURCHES”1. Church Administration (Foundational Package) 2. Church Financial Management & Investments3. Church Growth Strategies 4. Conflict Management5. Christian Leadership Skills for Church Leaders
SPECIAL ON-SITE & TAILORED TRAINING PACKAGE FOR PARA-CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
For further enquiries, please call: +233 (0) 206950845 28
