Installation ceremonies present an opportunity for the University and various Halls of Residence to display their rich and unique traditions; and such was the atmosphere at the installation of Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret Amankwah-Poku as the 18th Warden of Volta Hall. Dr. (Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology and the former President of the Volta Hall Senior Common Room.
During the solemn yet colourful ceremony, the immediate Past Warden of the Hall, Dr. (Mrs). Eureka-Emefa Ahadjie Adomako, presented the symbols of office to the new Warden, Dr.(Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku, which consists of a Mace and a Golden Chain.
In her inaugural address, Dr. (Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku was full of gratitude to her family, the Planning Committee, Management and staff of Volta Hall. She also thanked the Governing Body of Volta Hall, Fellows, current and past officials of the Hall and individual and corporate sponsors for their massive support.
Dr. (Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku pledged to work assiduously to achieve an enabling environment for developing a world-class University where the Hall of residence contributes to academic performance. ‘As Warden, I will provide leadership to the Hall, implement Council decisions, and ensure the operations of the Hall are in conformity with the Hall Statutes and University Statutes’, she noted. The new Warden expressed her desire to have a healthy relationship with the Hall’s Management, Council members, Fellows and Alumnae. She assured the staff and students of a listening ear and urged them to work and study diligently, respectively.
Dr. (Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku also drew attention to the Volta Hall Resource Centre, which she intends to complete with assistance from both internal and external stakeholders, and stressed the need to ensure the Hall’s Computer Laboratory is well equipped to meet the digital needs of students.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who graced the occasion, in brief remarks, congratulated the new Warden. Prof. Amfo expressed confidence in Dr. (Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku’s leadership abilities and assured her of University Management’s support. She said: ‘Volta Hall has had a sustained tradition of producing confident female leaders in all spheres of life; so you have stepped into big shoes but I believe your feet are big enough to fill those shoes. … As a Clinical Psychologist, I believe that you have all that it takes to harness the resources within and outside the Hall and even outside the University to ensure our young ladies get the best experience when they come to this Hall’.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the Hall authorities for taking the initiative to adopt the electronic registration system when the pandemic affected the University’s manual activities. She further challenged the new Warden to engage the Hall’s alumnae in the provision of laptops and computers to the students of the Hall.
Other officers of the Hall, namely, Dr. (Mrs.) Yvonne Ayerki Lamptey (Senior Tutor), Mrs. Florence Twum (Bursar), Dr. Naa Dodua Dodoo (Acting President of the Senior Common Room), Ms. Yvette Kordjie (President of the Junior Common Room – JCR) and Mr. Solomon Oppong (a representative of the Staff), pledged their support to the new Warden.
Very Rev. (Dr.) William A. Mpere-Gyekye delivered the sermonette, in which he charged the Warden and those in authority to abide in Jesus in executing their duties so as to bear good fruits. Bible Readings were done by Dr. (Mrs.) Anastasia Aikins (Deputy Senior Tutor and Chair of the Planning Committee) and Ms. Akua Amankwah-Poku.
There was a presentation by the 1989 Year Group of Achimota School to Dr. (Mrs.) Amankwah-Poku. Miss Erica Yeboah Adjei, JCR General Secretary, moved the vote of thanks.
The installation ceremony was interspersed with a Seprewa performance, choir ministrations by Gramophone Ghana and cultural performances by the Ghana Dance Ensemble.
At the dinner reception which ensued, congratulatory messages were received from the Head of Halls, Dr. Charles Wiafe-Akenten; the JCR President, Ms. Yvette Kordjie; representative of Volta Hall staff, Mrs. Gloria Tamakloe; the Warden’s husband, Dr. Alex Amankwah-Poku and some friends.
The officiating clergy at the installation ceremony were Rev. (Prof.) Charles Antwi-Boasiako, University Chaplain; Right Rev. Sampson K. Gyabeng; Very Rev. (Dr.) William Mpere-Gyekye; Rev. Andrew J. T. Odjawo and Rev. Kofi A. Ankama-Asamoah.
Present at the ceremony were the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare; the Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah; Director, Academic Affairs Directorate, Mrs. Lydia Anowa Nyako-Danquah; Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Mrs. Elizier T. Ameyaw-Buronyah; other Hall Masters and Tutors, Members of the Chaplaincy Board, staff, students and alumnae of Volta Hall.
Also at the ceremony were some past Wardens of Volta Hall, Hon. Samuel Awuku Okudzeto, stateman and senior politician; Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, former Minister for Youth and Sports; friends and family of the new Warden and members of the University Community.
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