The ceremony on the theme: “Recognising Yesterday’s Service and Dedication, Inspiring Tomorrow”, was held at the University’s Main Campus in Ho on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
The event, the first of its kind in the University’s history, aimed to celebrate the invaluable contributions of retiring staff, reinforce institutional values, and deepen the bond between the University and its alumni workforce.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Frank Edwin, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UHAS, described the ceremony as a reflective and inspirational milestone for the retirees and challenged current staff to uphold the same standards of excellence.
“The work you have done here is more than a career – it is a legacy,” he said. “You came when the University was young, resources were limited, and hope had to be built from the ground up. But you believed in the vision and gave UHAS your best.”
Prof. Edwin praised the retirees for their selfless service in teaching, research, administration, and technical support, which collectively shaped the University’s culture and global reputation.
He emphasised that institutionalizing the ceremony was not just a symbolic act but a moral statement about the University’s values—loyalty, service, and dedication.
“This celebration must ignite aspiration. Let the example of our retirees challenge us to serve beyond convenience, to lead with integrity, and to leave a legacy worth celebrating,” he urged.
Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, in her remarks, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to honouring staff contributions as part of its broader strategy to become a world-class institution.
“The enviable position UHAS occupies today in global research and education is the result of the tireless efforts of our founding and retiring staff,” she said.
“The Send-Off Ceremony was established to appreciate their dedication and strengthen relationships that extend beyond active service.”
She outlined the key objectives of the initiative, including formally acknowledge the contributions and years of service of retiring staff, uphold the University’s core values of service and care. and gather feedback from retirees for improving human resource practices and build a network of ambassadors and advocates among former staff.
Prof. Aziato expressed her gratitude to the Directorate of Human Resources for initiating the celebration and announced that the Annual Retirees’ Send-Off Ceremony would now be a permanent feature in UHAS’s calendar of events.
Mr. Godfred Amoah, Director of Human Resources, also highlighted the importance of the event, describing it as a deserved recognition for individuals whose loyalty and service had helped build the foundation of the University.
“Our records show that these retirees have served UHAS for between five and twelve years. Their resilience and dedication through both challenging and rewarding times have been invaluable,” he said.
Mr. Amoah revealed that a recent Retirees Experience Survey conducted among the 2024 and 2025 retirees showed overwhelmingly positive feedback.
“All respondents—100 per cent—said they would recommend UHAS as a great place to work. This is a powerful endorsement of our institution’s culture and progress,” he noted, adding that a full report will be presented to Senior Management soon.
The ceremony was attended by UHAS Management, faculty, staff, and representatives from educational unions including GAUA, University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG- UHAS), and Senior Staffs Association (SSA- UHAS), who extended their goodwill messages to the retirees.
Retirees were given the opportunity to share their personal reflections, recounting memories of the University’s early days and expressing gratitude for the relationships and experiences they built throughout their service.
As UHAS continues its journey toward academic excellence and institutional growth, the University says it will continue to honour those who helped pave the way—with gratitude, recognition, and a commitment to sustaining their legacy.
GNA
