University of Ghana Sports and Wellness Director, Dr. Austin Luguterah has called on former students and athletes to remain connected to their alma mater by showing appreciation for the role the institution played in shaping their personal and professional growth.
He made the call on Friday, February 20, 2026, during a donation ceremony by former University of Ghana athlete and long-distance runner Naomi Addo, who is currently pursuing her studies in the United States.
The gesture was aimed at supporting sports development and the welfare of student-athletes at the University of Ghana.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Luguterah emphasised that gratitude goes beyond individual success and should translate into giving back to institutions that contribute to one’s development.
“Gratitude comes in many forms. First, it is about a student remembering the alma mater. Second, remembering one’s colleagues, and third, recognising the directorate and the institution that contributed to one’s growth. Such gestures send a strong signal to others who have left the school and even to those still here that gratitude truly matters,” he said.
According to him, acknowledging the role of the university in shaping students’ journeys is an important responsibility.
“When you leave the school and reflect on your journey, you realise that the university contributed significantly to your growth. It is only right to recognise that,” he added.
Dr. Luguterah commended Naomi Addo for remembering the institution and supporting current athletes, noting that her experience as a long-distance runner gives her a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional demands faced by student-athletes.
“We are excited that she has remembered the university and the athletes. Having been a long-distance athlete herself, she understands the stress and the needs of her colleagues,” he stated.
He further used the occasion to encourage other former athletes and sports personalities who passed through the university to emulate the gesture by supporting the next generation.
“We take this opportunity to call on all athletes and sportsmen who have passed through the University of Ghana to remember that you were once here. Even after leaving, there are younger ones still being groomed who need your support,” he concluded.
The donation, which was presented on Naomi Addo’s behalf by Petras Anaab Ali, included food items such as twenty 5-kilogram bags of rice, a box of sardines and other essential supplies intended to support the welfare of student-athletes.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom | univers.ug.edu.gh
