Story: News Desk 

The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has launched the Vice-Chancellor’s Community Initiative Programme (VCCIP), a transformative initiative to foster stronger ties between academia and the local communities of Effutu, Ajumako, and beyond.

This groundbreaking programme seeks to drive meaningful engagement, collaboration, and development, reinforcing UEW’s commitment to societal impact.

The transformative initiative, which aims to drive sustainable development in education, health, and economic empowerment among the youth in Winneba, Ajumako, and surrounding communities was unveiled during a well-attended launch and fundraising ceremony held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on Tuesday, 25th February, 2025.

Speaking at the launch, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW, underscored the university’s commitment to extending its impact beyond the classroom, ensuring that education becomes a tool for lasting change in Effutu, Ajumako, and other neighbouring communities.

Prof. Mitchual indicated that the true measure of a university’s impact  was  not merely in the degrees it awards but in the real change it brought to people. 

He emphasised UEW’s role as an educational institution and a partner in development, a beacon of hope, and a catalyst for change. 

“Through VCCIP, we are reaffirming our role as a socially responsible institution–one that recognises the challenges facing the youth, families, and communities of Effutu, Ajumako, and beyond and takes decisive action to address them,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the VCCIP focuses on three key areas: education, financial support, and skills training. 

He pointed out that students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would receive mentorship, career guidance, and academic support under the initiative’s education component, the Neighbourhood Academic Initiative Programme (NAIP). 

Prof. Mitchual highlighted that the initiative includes provisions for financial support to assist economically disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). 

“We recognise that financial constraints can prevent many bright and ambitious students from pursuing tertiary education. Through this initiative, we aim to provide the necessary support to help them achieve their dreams,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor added that the initiative’s skills training component, the Community Apprenticeship Initiative Programme (CAIP), would provide vocational training and certification in various technical skills, including carpentry, masonry, and tailoring.

The guest speaker, Nana Ofori Owusu, Senior Vice President at Groupe Nduom and an Effutu indigene, described the initiative as “ a testament to UEW’s unwavering commitment to the communities that surround us and the young people who represent our future.”

In a strong show of support for the initiative, Nana Ofori Owusu and his brother donated GH₵ 20,000 cash to kick-start the fundraising efforts. 

He urged other stakeholders, including businesses and individuals, to contribute to the programme to ensure its long-term sustainability.