The School of Continuing and Distance Education at the University of Ghana (UG) has launched its 77th Annual New Year School and Conference under the theme “Building the Ghana We Want Together for Sustainable Development,” with a call for collective action towards building a better nation.
The event, held at the School of Continuing and Distance Education on November 25, 2025, was graced by several dignitaries, including the Provost of the College of Education, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Cudjoe; Presidential Advisor for the 24-hour Economy, Goosie Obuadom Tanoh; the College Registrar, Joseph Nkansah; Executive Director of the Annual New Year Conference Committee, Dr Jack Dotse; and the Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, Professor Olivia Kwapong.
The New Year School, which has been organised since 1948, serves as a major platform for academia, industry, policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on pressing issues critical to national development.
In its 77th year, the conference will cover key sectors such as education, health, agriculture, security and the economy, offering valuable insights to accelerate national development. The conference will be held by the School of Continuing and Distance Education from January 5 to 9, 2026.
Launching the conference, the Presidential Advisor for the 24-hour Economy, Goosie Obuadom Tanoh, disclosed that the 24-hour programme would be structured around three core pillars designed to address structural constraints within the economy.
“The 24-hour programme would be built on three core pillars. The first pillar focuses on production, which would be delivered through Grow24, Make24, Build24 and Show24. These focus on improving how Ghana produces. The second pillar lies in strengthening Ghana’s supply chains and market systems, and the third is to empower people at the centre of national transformation,” he stated.
The Provost of the College of Education, Professor Samuel Cudjoe, also noted that the conference should challenge participants to envision a Ghana where governance is responsible, institutions are effective and citizens are empowered. He maintained that only then can Ghana be said to have achieved sustainable development.
“This conference challenges us to envision a country where government is responsible, institutions are effective and citizens are empowered to contribute to sustainable development. This also calls for a Ghana that leads through innovation, equity, ethical leadership and a shared commitment to national progress. As an academic community, our responsibility goes beyond generating knowledge; we are called to lead conversations, support decision-making and nurture human capital for national development. When all this is achieved, only then can we say we have attained sustainable national development,” he said.
He further explained that the Ghana envisioned must be driven by technology and ethical leadership, adding that the College would continue to train visionary leaders.
“The Ghana we want must be built on ethical leadership and technology that empowers people. The College of Education will continue to train visionary leaders through digital learning and by producing research that responds to national priorities. The Ghana we want is also a place where young people are engaged as innovators, critical thinkers and nation builders,” he added.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
