UEW VC Launches Community Initiative to Strengthen Local Partnerships and Empower Youth
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has launched the Vice-Chancellor’s Community Initiative Programme (VCCIP), a transformative initiative to foster stronger ties between academia and the local communities of Effutu, Ajumako, and beyond.
This groundbreaking programme seeks to drive meaningful engagement, collaboration, and development, reinforcing UEW’s commitment to societal impact.
The transformative initiative, which aims to drive sustainable development in education, health, and economic empowerment among the youth in Winneba, Ajumako, and surrounding communities was unveiled during a well-attended launch and fundraising ceremony held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on Tuesday, 25th February, 2025.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW, underscored the university’s commitment to extending its impact beyond the classroom, ensuring that education becomes a tool for lasting change in Effutu, Ajumako, and other neighbouring communities.
Prof. Mitchual indicated that the true measure of a university’s impact is not merely in the degrees it awards but in the real change it brings to people. He emphasised UEW’s role as an educational institution and a partner in development, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for change. "Through VCCIP, we are reaffirming our role as a socially responsible institution–one that recognises the challenges facing the youth, families, and communities of Effutu, Ajumako, and beyond and takes decisive action to address them," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the VCCIP focuses on three key areas: education, financial support, and skills training. He pointed out that students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would receive mentorship, career guidance, and academic support under the initiative's education component, the Neighbourhood Academic Initiative Programme (NAIP).
Prof. Mitchual highlighted that the initiative includes provisions for financial support to assist economically disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). "We recognise that financial constraints can prevent many bright and ambitious students from pursuing tertiary education. Through this initiative, we aim to provide the necessary support to help them achieve their dreams," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor added that the initiative's skills training component, the Community Apprenticeship Initiative Programme (CAIP), would provide vocational training and certification in various technical skills, including carpentry, masonry, and tailoring.
The guest speaker, Nana Ofori Owusu, Vice President at Groupe Nduom and an Effutu indigene, described the initiative as “ a testament to UEW’s unwavering commitment to the communities that surround us and the young people who represent our future.”
The initiative, he emphasised, aligns with modern universities' evolving roles. “Unlike in earlier times when the primary function of universities was limited to teaching, learning, and research, modern universities have an additional obligation to render services to their host communities,” Nana Ofori Owusu noted. He commended UEW for taking a bold step towards inclusive education, which he believes will help dismantle the perceived barriers between academia and the local population.
In a strong show of support for the initiative, Nana Ofori Owusu and his brother donated GH₵ 20,000 cash to kick-start the fundraising efforts. He urged other stakeholders, including businesses and individuals, to contribute to the programme to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Neenyi Ghartey VII, Chancellor of UEW and Chairperson for the event, underscored the significance of community engagement, sustainable development, and academic excellence in the Effutu and Ajumako areas. He emphasised the university’s core values of community service, social inclusivity, teamwork, and partnership development. He stated that the programme was designed specifically to uplift the lives of the people of Effutu and Ajumako by addressing critical needs in education, health, and economic development.
“If you are here, you are here for a very good cause, and we entreat all of you to support us to make this event very successful,” he remarked, urging all stakeholders to actively contribute to the initiative’s success.
Neenyi Ghartey VII expressed his deep satisfaction with the university’s decision to launch a programme that directly benefits the local community, particularly by providing scholarships to deserving students from the Effutu and Ajumako areas. According to him, the initiative is set to spark healthy competition among young learners, motivating them to strive for academic excellence.
The initiative, which aligns with the university’s broader mission of fostering development and inclusivity, is expected to create new educational opportunities for countless young minds while strengthening ties between UEW and its surrounding communities.
