The UCC Pensioners’ Association has climaxed activities for 2018 with the ‘End of Year Get-Together Party’.
Welcoming all members to the function, the Vice-Chairman of the Association, Mr. Edwin Asamoah, commended members for actively participating and contributing towards the betterment of the Association over the past years. He urged members to be confident in the leadership, saying “our meetings have recorded increase in our membership, which means that we have grown and will continue to grow in our membership.” He further acknowledged the presence of sister associations such as Teacher Education Workers Union (TEWU), Senior Staff Association of Universities in Ghana (SSUAG), and thanked them specially, for their financial supports.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, who was also the guest of honour, admonished the leadership and membership of the association to demonstrate care for each other by meeting and getting-together. It is good to reflect on our lives in order to make good decisions in life and being together gives comfort.” He said the current membership strength of 120 was a sign of growth for the association. He promised to host the UCC Pensioners’ Association their End of Year Get-Together Party at the Vice-Chancellors’ Lodge in 2019. “The year 2018 is almost ending and it’s my prayer that we live long to meet 2019 with full strength, good health and prosperity – “Afehyia pa oo!!” he prayed.
The Chairman, National Pensioners Association – Cape Coast branch, Mr. John A. Afful said “being a pensioner is not a curse, but the entire society may treats you in banks, hospitals and other places to fill as if you are under a spell. Therefore, we need to be strong and resilient.” He urged all the pensioners to join forces to prompt the government to help create enabling environment for all pensioners in the country.
Highlighting some of the events for 2018, the Secretary of Pensioners’ Association, Mr. Francis Darko, there have been health talks; first Memorial Service for 13 departed members; social talks and the first Christmas Carols Service. He reported that the association received a donation of GHC 10,000 from the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah;
He urged members of the association to attend meetings and stay united, and also support the leadership to promote the welfare of members.
A representative of the Welfare Section, Mrs. Gifty Kodzi, stated that every retiree from UCC was at heart and therefore, “the University has introduced a programme to pay visit to all retirees, and this occurs every year.” She added that the programme was currently in force to reach every retiree to express love and show support for their meritorious services to the University.
Commending members of the Association, the Chairman of TEWU, Mr. Stephen Williams advised them to continue doing great things to support each other because in his view, “life begins at seventy (70),” and wished them “Afehyia pa”!
The Acting Chairman of SSAUG, Mr. Charles Amos Odoom, on behalf his association assured the pensioners of their support. He said the SSAUG had already donated GHC 1,000.00 to support the Association.
Thanking God for how far he has brought the entire membership of the Association, the Chairman for the occasion, Nana Kweku Enu III, Chief of Kokoado, commended the pioneers of the association for their hard work and toil. He charged the current leadership to continue the good work the pioneers started.