The School of Graduate Studies (SGS), University of Ghana, proudly celebrated the achievements of its graduands during the July 2026 Congregation Ceremonies, held at the Great Hall on 24th and 25th July 2026. Over the course of three distinguished sessions, the University conferred degrees on 1,429 Master's and MPhil graduands and 157 PhD graduands, reaffirming its commitment to developing high-level human capital for national and global transformation.
In his message to graduands, the Dean of SGS, Prof. Patrick Asamoah Sakyi, reminded graduates that postgraduate education extends beyond acquiring knowledge to creating solutions for society's most pressing challenges.
"You have not been trained only to consume knowledge, but to interrogate it, synthesise it, create it and utilise it to benefit humanity and promote structural transformation toward a knowledge-based economy."
🌟 Session One: Leadership Through Service
The first congregation session on Friday, 24th July, featured Prof. Mary Adu-Poku, a distinguished Ghanaian Scientist, Medical Physicist, Radiation Protection Specialist, and former Director of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, as Congregation Speaker.
Prof. Adu-Poku encouraged graduands to embrace leadership as service, approach the future with purpose, and remain adaptable in a rapidly changing world. Her impressive career in radiation protection, medical physics, scientific leadership, and advocacy for women in STEM provided an inspiring example for the graduating class.
The valedictory address was delivered by Surveyor Isaac Quayson, Regional Surveyor with the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission and alumnus of KNUST, UCC, and GIMPA.
Addressing the graduating class, he challenged his colleagues to move beyond personal achievement and use their knowledge to solve societal problems.
"Every discipline represented here today has a vital role to play in advancing Ghana and the global community."
He encouraged graduates to remain lifelong learners, adaptable, ethical, and innovative as they navigate a world shaped by technology, artificial intelligence, climate change, and urbanisation.
🎓 Session Two: Celebrating Research Excellence
The Saturday morning session was dedicated exclusively to the University's PhD graduands, underscoring the importance of advanced research and innovation.
The Congregation Speaker for this special session was Dr. Ambrose Gyemah Houphouet, a renowned finance and development expert, Chief Executive Officer of the Liberian Enterprise Development Finance Company (LEDFC), and Country Director of Groupe Nduom Liberia.
With extensive experience in enterprise development, finance, and entrepreneurship across Africa and the United States, Dr. Houphouet challenged graduates to combine academic excellence with leadership, innovation, and impact-driven service.
The valedictorian for the PhD session was Mr. Worlanyo Tashie, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and WACCBIP-ACE PhD Fellow whose research focused on antimalarial drug discovery using biochemical, molecular, and computational approaches.
His journey from Dabala-Junction in the Volta Region to becoming a leading researcher in infectious diseases reflected the resilience, dedication, and intellectual curiosity that define doctoral scholarship.
A Historic Moment: President Mahama Joins the Celebration
A major highlight of the morning PhD session was the presence of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, who delivered the Goodwill Message to graduands.
The President's attendance drew significant attention, particularly as Chief of Staff Julius Debrah was among the PhD graduands being honoured. Dr. Debrah successfully completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Museum and Heritage Studies, adding another academic milestone to his distinguished public service career.
In his remarks, President Mahama praised Dr. Debrah for balancing one of the nation's most demanding public offices with rigorous doctoral studies.
"His achievement is a reminder that learning is a lifelong pursuit and that public service and academic excellence are mutually reinforcing."
The President reaffirmed government's commitment to strengthening higher education, research, innovation, and digital infrastructure as critical pillars of national development.
🚀 Session Three: Innovation, Science and Emerging Leadership
The final congregation session on Saturday afternoon featured Mr. Michael N. A. Aryeetey, Deputy Chief Executive for Exploration and Production at GNPC, as Congregation Speaker.
An accomplished energy professional with more than two decades of experience in Ghana's upstream petroleum industry, Mr. Aryeetey shared valuable perspectives on leadership, innovation, professional growth, and national development. His career trajectory from a geology graduate of the University of Ghana to a leading executive in Ghana's energy sector served as an inspiration to graduands.
The valedictorian for the afternoon session, Mr. Charles Aboagye Darkwa, represented the next generation of scientists, researchers, and innovators. A graduate of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), Charles completed an MPhil in Applied Nuclear Physics and distinguished himself through computational research that bridged nuclear physics, fluid mechanics, and environmental engineering.
His academic journey, combined with his passion for machine learning, artificial intelligence, climate science, and scientific innovation, embodied the multidisciplinary excellence that SGS strives to cultivate.
🎉 The SGS Class of July 2026
Collectively, the three valedictorians—Isaac Quayson, Worlanyo Tashie, and Charles Aboagye Darkwa—represented the diversity, resilience, and academic excellence of the School of Graduate Studies. Their stories reflected the University's commitment to producing leaders, researchers, innovators, and professionals capable of addressing complex challenges across disciplines.
As the curtains closed on the July 2026 Congregation Ceremonies, one message resonated throughout the Great Hall: the pursuit of knowledge does not end at graduation—it begins a new chapter of responsibility, leadership, and service.
The School of Graduate Studies congratulates all graduands and wishes them continued success as they embark on the next phase of their professional and academic journeys.
🎓 Congratulations, Class of July 2026!
May you continue to proceed in truth and integrity.
