Accra: The Catholic University of Ghana (CUG) recently celebrated the graduation of 1,606 students who completed postgraduate and undergraduate programs at the institution. This cohort included 347 postgraduate students and 1,260 undergraduates.

According to Ghana News Agency, the event also marked the admission of 2,169 new students who will pursue various degrees and diploma courses at the university. Speaking at the 24th congregation and 36th matriculation ceremony held at the university’s main campus in Fiapre, Sunyani Municipality, Professor Matthew Glover Addo, Vice-Chancellor of CUG, highlighted the vital role of education in national development. He stressed the importance of prioritizing quality education to drive the nation’s transformation.

Professor Addo acknowledged the progress made in increasing access to education and emphasized the need to improve educational standards, ensuring that graduates possess competence and excellence in their fields. He encouraged graduates to become agents of change in a rapidly evolving world and recognized the significant contributions of private universities to the nation’s tertiary education sector.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed to the government for continued support of private universities through the provision of resources such as books, software, and transportation. He advised the graduates to apply their knowledge to enhance human dignity, promote justice, improve personal and family life quality, protect nature, seek peace and political stability, and contribute to a new economic and political order.

Professor Addo reminded graduates that their degrees represent a call to duty, urging them to serve their communities, innovate, and lead with humility. He encouraged freshers to remain disciplined and take advantage of the university’s resources to achieve academic excellence.

In a message delivered on his behalf, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, highlighted the government’s view of higher education as a catalyst for socio-economic development. He urged universities to produce graduates who are equipped to meet contemporary labor demands, emphasizing skills in artificial intelligence, critical thinking, honesty, and respect for human dignity.

Established in 2002 by the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, the CUG aims to produce graduates who combine academic excellence with moral and spiritual values. The university’s curriculum emphasizes ethical grounding and prepares students to think critically, solve real-world challenges, and serve their communities and countries selflessly.