The College of Education recently held a poster/logo competition to mark the launch of the College’s commemoration of the 2024 Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DSRA). The event, which took place at the smart classroom of the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE), provided a platform for students from the various Colleges within the University to showcase their creative talents by designing posters/logos on the theme: “Generative AI: African Perspective on its Challenges and Prospects.”
Mr. Joseph Oduro Nkansah, College Secretary
In his welcome address, Mr. Joseph Oduro Nkansah, College Secretary of the College of Education, stated that the theme aligns with current global trends and emphasised the need for an African perspective in leveraging Artificial Intelligence for socio-economic benefits. He noted that this poster/logo competition, organised by the College of Education, was the first of its kind in the DSRA celebrations at the University of Ghana. He encouraged students to participate fully in all the other activities outlined for the DSRA celebration in the College.
Professor Samuel N. A. Codjoe, Provost, College of Education
Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Chairperson for the event and Provost of the College of Education, remarked that the theme resonates with the College’s vision, “To become a world-class ICT-driven research-intensive College.” He recounted that the African Union passed a resolution on June 20, 1987, to remind African governments and people about the critical role of science and technology in national development and to commemorate the continent’s significant contributions to the rise and development of modern science. In solidarity with the African Union, the University of Ghana’s Business and Executive Committee approved in February 2022 the implementation of a plan of action for an annual DSRA celebration.
For this year's DSRA celebration, the College constituted a nine-member Planning and Implementation Committee chaired by Dr. Evelyn Folake Kissi to develop a framework of activities for schools and departments under the College.
A cross-section of audience
Prof. Codjoe encouraged students to frequently visit the College’s website to stay informed and updated on the latest happenings in the College. He also mentioned the establishment of a Digital Youth Village, which is being set up to assist students in advancing their education using information technology under the College of Education.
Dr. De-Graft Johnson Dei, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Information Studies, briefed the gathering on the theme for the celebration. He explained that generative AI focuses on artificial intelligence to generate concepts through text and images. He urged students to gain knowledge on the prospects, advantages and challenges of generative AI and to use platforms like ChatGPT among others, for research and studies rather than for ease in completing assignments. Dr. Dei also discussed leveraging generative AI to improve the sustainability and development of Ghana, aligning with the theme’s emphasis on national prospects and opportunities.
A cross-section of audience
The judging panel for the competition comprised Dr. Kofi Koranteng Adu and Mr. Stephen Adingo, both faculty members from the Department of Distance Education, along with Ms. Christiana Adu Ansomaa, University of Ghana Distance Education Junior Common Room Executive (UGDE-JCR). They evaluated twenty submissions and selected the top three logos based on uniqueness, text, color harmony, title and alignment with the theme.
Ms. Lily Deynoo from the College of Basic and Applied Sciences won first place, while Mr. Kenneth Afriyie Addo from the College of Education won second place, with Mr. Emmanuel Kwofie from the College of Education placing third. Prizes were awarded to all the winners.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Codjoe expressed gratitude to all the participants for their outstanding effort and congratulated the winners. He urged all students present to look out for upcoming activities at the College of Education.