Dambai College of Education marked a significant milestone with the celebration of its 20th Matriculation Ceremony held on March 13, 2025. The event was attended by various dignitaries and stakeholders, and the new students were officially inducted into the institution. The Deputy College Registrar, Mr. Thaddeus Kokobina, in his opening remarks, outlined the purpose of the gathering and welcomed the freshmen and women to the College.
Welcome Address: Prof. Ibrahim Gunu Mohammed, Chairman of the Matriculation Programme
Prof. Ibrahim Gunu, the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University for Development Studies (UDS), delivered a welcome address in which he expressed his privilege and honour to be part of the event. Prof. Gunu congratulated all the freshmen and women for successfully joining the prestigious Dambai College of Education and encouraged them to maximise all opportunities to become world-class professional teachers of the future. He commended the leadership of the College for its strong collaboration with UDS and the College’s initiative in establishing a journal that serves as a platform for knowledge sharing. He noted that this initiative places the College among the top model Colleges of Education in Ghana. Prof. Gunu also highlighted UDS’s recent success in university rankings, where it placed 3rd in Ghana and 5th out of 29 universities assessed.
Presentation of Matriculants and Taking of the Matriculation Oath
Dr. Frank Awuah, Vice Principal of the College, presented the matriculants for the administration of the matriculation oath. The total number of newly matriculated students was 385. They were enrolled in the various Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) specializations offered by the College in Early Grade Education, Primary Education, and Junior High School Education.
Dambai College of Education is affiliated with the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale. Prof. Ibrahim Gunu, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UDS, therefore administered the matriculation oath, formally inducting the new students into the College.
Following the oath, Dr. Mrs. Benedicta Awusi Atiku, Principal of Dambai College of Education, officially matriculated the students. The freshers signed the matriculation register to complete the formalities. Afterwards, Master Justice Ndigun, a representative of the freshers, delivered a brief speech on behalf of his fellow students, sharing their expectations for their time at the College.
Welcome Address: Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Awusi Atiku, Principal of Dambai College of Education
In her welcome address, Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Awusi Atiku welcomed the freshmen and women and acknowledged all distinguished guests in attendance. She emphasised the significance of matriculation, noting that it marks the official acceptance of the students into the academic community. Dr. Atiku shared the statistics of admissions for the academic year, revealing that 1,028 applicants chose Dambai College as their first choice, with 385 students admitted—comprising 241 males (62.60%) and 144 females (37.40%).
The Principal also underscored the importance of the teaching profession, calling it the “noblest and most infectious profession,” and shared the College’s continuous efforts to improve infrastructure and resources. She encouraged the freshers to familiarise themselves with the College’s policies, which are available for download on the College’s website: www.dace.edu.gh.
Additionally, Dr. Atiku announced that the College had been accredited to run two new programmes: B.Ed. Home Economics and B.Ed. Mathematics and ICT. She expressed gratitude to the government for supporting the migration of staff onto the university salary structure and for the allocation of funds for student allowances.
She concluded by making an appeal to the government to complete the ongoing office complex and auditorium projects before the College celebrates its 51st Anniversary in September 2025. She also called for additional infrastructure such as a Lecture Hall Complex, Residential Hostel Complex, a modern Science Laboratory, an ICT Lab, and an Early Grade Resource Centre.
Other Dignitary Remarks
Several dignitaries offered advice to the freshers. The Municipal Chief Director of Krachi East highlighted the importance of using the knowledge gained at the College to make a positive impact on society and encouraged the students to dedicate themselves to the teaching profession.
Mr. Prince Anaglatey, Regional Fire Commander of the Oti Region, urged the students to stay focused on their studies and be mindful of fire safety precautions while on campus.
ACP Alhassan Razak, Krachi East Municipal Crime Officer, advised the students to avoid criminal activity and the use of illicit substances.
Nana Dasebre Atamafowiase Bonjah II, Overlord of the Chonke Traditional Area, spoke about the importance of obedience to authority, dedication to teaching, and the need for humility and compassion. The representative of Nana Kwaku Beyernnor II, the Chief of Dambai, equally admonished the freshers to adhere to institutional and community standards.
The Oti Regional Minister, John Cudjoe Gyapong, was represented by Rev. Harry Owo, the Chief Director of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, who delivered a speech on his behalf. He encouraged the freshers to reflect on their lives and ponder key questions: “Who are you? Why are you here? What are you doing here?” He emphasised that the answers to these questions should guide their actions throughout their time at the College.
Rev. Owo also praised the teaching profession as the “noblest profession” and commended the College’s leadership for its commitment to shaping the future teachers of the nation. He urged the freshers to respect authority, work hard, and be conscious of the spiritual aspects of their journey.
The College Management reaffirmed its dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment and urged students to embrace both the challenges and opportunities ahead. Newly matriculated students are encouraged to embark on their academic journey with enthusiasm and make meaningful contributions to the College community.
Source: Graham Kofi Baldwin
