UEW Inaugurates 2026 Public Lecture Organising Committee

The Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, expressed satisfaction with the excellent organisation of the previous lecture series and emphasised the importance of maintaining excellence.

He stated that the establishment of the committee is a crucial part of his vision to institutionalise the lecture series as a signature event that promotes scholarly discourse and positions UEW as a thought leader in higher education.

“This year’s Public Lecture Series was a resounding success. Though there were financial constraints, the execution was exceptional — from the planning to the stage aesthetics. Going forward, the event should aim to be self-financing to ease the financial pressure on the university,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

Prof. Mitchual further encouraged committee members to remain dedicated, emphasising that their hard work is not only valued by the university but will also be divinely rewarded. He assured them of the full support of the University Management, stating, “You have the full support of the Vice-Chancellor — and I mention that intentionally — because it means I personally take an interest in your work.”

The Acting Registrar, Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah, reiterated the Vice-Chancellor’s sentiments, noting that the high standard set by the previous event must be maintained or surpassed. “We have set a standard, which is good. Let us build on it and ensure the momentum is sustained,” she urged.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, commended the Committee for organising a “splendid” event and urged them to strive for even greater accomplishments in future editions. “Anything beyond splendid is essential for you to achieve,” she stated, assuring them of management's continued support.

The Principal of the College for Distance and e-Learning (CODeL), Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku, reminded the Committee that its composition has remained largely unchanged from the previous year. He, therefore, urged members to leverage their past experiences and expressed his confidence in their capability to achieve successful outcomes.

The newly inaugurated Chairperson of the Public Lecture Series Committee, Prof. Mavis Amo-Mensah, expressed appreciation to university leadership for the opportunity to serve. She pledged the Committee’s commitment to advancing the university’s image through high-impact public engagement. “We are dedicated to branding the university and projecting its image to even higher levels,” she affirmed.

To ensure smooth execution, the Organising Committee will operate through five subcommittees. These are Publication and Editorial, chaired by Mr. Jeremiah Addison Anyan; Publicity, chaired by Dr. Bismark Odum-Sackey; Sponsorship and Fundraising, chaired by Dr. Barbara Amoako Kissi; Protocol, chaired by Dr. Shirley Dankwa; and Hospitality, chaired by Mr. Israel E. Fugar.

Other members of the Committee include Prof. Richardson Addai-Mununkum, Prof. Benjamin Ghansah and Mr. Francis Mawuli Amorni, who serves as the accounts representative. Ms. Magdalene Nyarko will serve as Secretary.

The 2025 edition of the UEW Public Lecture Series, held in April, featured the renowned Pan-Africanist Prof. P. L. O. Lumumba as the keynote speaker. This event was widely praised for its depth and impact. The 2026 edition is expected to be even better with enhanced planning, stakeholder engagement and broader participation both nationally and internationally.

The University of Education, Winneba, is committed to promoting critical discourse and thought leadership through its annual Public Lecture Series. The 2026 event aims to continue this important tradition.