How did you obtain 3 degrees from a non-thinking institution? – Prof Gyampo questions ‘thinker’ Senyo Hosi
A lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo has questioned the ‘thinking capacity’ of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Senyo Kwasi Hosi.
The lecturer is dumbfounded as to how the otherwise respected CEO managed to bag 3 degrees from an institution he(Senyo Hosi) describes as a ‘non-thinking institution’.
According to him, Senyo’s outburst at lecturers and management of the University of Ghana was uncalled for and inappropriate.
Prof Gyampo’s reaction follows the release of a viral video of the CEO of the Bulk Oil Distribution Company lashing out at authorities of the University of Ghana for their refusal to think.
In the video, the CEO argued “This is the 70th anniversary. Can you imagine! University of Ghana! he fumed. What kind of communication went on to promote this programme? Meanwhile, we are supposed to have a marketing department at the Business School and a whole communication school. Look at the number of people here. This is a school of mediocrity. Look at the panelists. There is no table for them to even put their books and things.”
Prof Gyampo however noted in a write-up responding to the claims of the businessman that, “UG taught you well, but clearly, not all students are receptive to teaching and learning hence your ignorant outburst.”
Read below Prof Gyampo’s response to Senyo Hosi
1. You were honored by UG by being appointed an Alumni Homecoming Ambassador. Part of your duty was to get many alumni to attend the launch of the homecoming and the dinner so we could raise more resources to help UG. My checks however, reveal that you were deficient in delivering this simple mandate. You couldn’t attract a single soul to any of the sessions, yet you were not happy that the panel session you attended couldn’t attract many people. What an irony! Kindly note that through its own instrumentalities, UG was able to attract huge numbers to fill the Hall for the morning session. You came in late, at the afternoon session when many participants had left for lunch and for other engagements. If you had been a little punctual as a trained manager, you would have noticed this and would have been measured in your outburst.
2. I disagree with you that UG people don’t think. I rather will wish to question your own ability to think. It seems to me that you spoke without any introspection. Your words were unexamined. Otherwise, how did you obtained three degrees from an institution of non-thinkers? If you are a thinker yourself, why do you go to a non-thinking school to obtain three degrees? UG taught you well, but clearly, not all students are receptive to teaching and learning. Hence your ignorant outburst.
3. In terms of numbers, UG arguably admits the highest number of student applicants every year.This has a huge toll on our infrastructure. Management and staff are poorly paid and the total population of a private University like Ashesi is always less than the number of students who offer my elective course in Governance and Leadership. These challenges notwithstanding, our students are hailed globally. Every year, a huge chunk of our students receive scholarships from the best schools in the world to pursue postgraduate studies. Afterwards, many of them are hired to work there. So, contrary to your claim that we produce students you cannot hire locally, our students are internationally competitive. But listen and think about what you said yourself! You were produced and hired locally, yet you don’t want to hire products produced locally! What is the logic and thinking behind this reasoning?
4. We obviously had some challenges with the organization of the Homecoming, particularly the fact that current students had no major role in the celebration as they were on vacation. Nevertheless, we did what we could do and well meaning Ghanaians as well as alumni worth their salt, including the first citizen of Ghana, His Excellency President Nana Akufo Addo, saw the need to join us both via Skype and in person to participate in the homecoming activities. He praised and commended UG for doing its best inspite of the challenges confronting it. You certainly cannot be a better alumni than the President, Sir.
5. In terms of world rankings of Universities, none of the private schools you sought to compare UG to, comes closer to Legon. As a seeming “thinker”, you may want to look out and think through the variables and indicators that are used in determining the rankings. Visit the TIMES Higher Education website and read their reports for some more insight about this.
6. Again as a seeming thinker, you haven’t been able to think about the implications of the low fees charged by UG on the quality of its output. UG is unable to charge huge fees because governments will not allow this, as it will make regimes unpopular. A recent proposal to increase Residential Facility User Fees could not receive parliamentary approval. Hence whereas our students are paying 2000 cedis per year, other private students are paying 10,000 dollars per year.
7. Our challenges notwithstanding, we are willing to proceed at all times in truth and in integrity. We haven’t thrown our hands in hopelessness. We are determined to do our best with the limited resources at our disposal. We are committed to remain resilient in the face of the difficulties confronting us. In doing this, the least we expect from former students like you, is ingratitude and needless show of oration in insulting the school that made you. It’s not about wearing huge beard and being chauffeured around. It’s about what you can do to help maintain standards at the school that made you who you are today, Senyo.
8. I have chosen to respond to your loose talk because I am a faculty and an official of the University. But this is my personal view. UG itself, at the appropriate time, I believe, will offer a befitting response to you. I however and by encouraging you to enhance your capacity by making reading a habit.
“I disagree with you that UG people don’t think. I rather will wish to question your own ability to think. It seems to me that you spoke without any introspection. Your words were unexamined. Otherwise, how did you obtained three degrees from an institution of non-thinkers,” he wrote.