Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Your Excellencies Chairman of UESD Council, Members of the UESD Council, Guest Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament Present, Distinguished Guests, Neneme (Oklipeme Nuer Anorbah Sasraku II, Konor of Yiloklo State; Nene Sakitey II, Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area and the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs Manya Krobo, Fellow Graduand, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is an extraordinary honour to stand here today as the valedictorian of the pioneering class of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD). Today, we celebrate not just the end of our academic journey but also the beginning of endless possibilities.
Life has a way of redirecting us to paths we never planned for, which often leads us to unexpected blessings. “You have to stay home for one more year,” my father said with a heavy heart. Those words hit me hard. I know you may wonder what he meant. It all began four years ago when I completed Senior High School (SHS) and applied to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for Engineering. To my dismay, I was denied admission. On that day, I wailed like a baby. I asked myself if it was even worth passing my West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
To say I was devastated would be an understatement. I even considered rewriting my WASSCE because, in my mind, KNUST was the only university worth attending. We had even begun making plans for my return to SHS. Little did we know that salvation lay in Somanya, and it came in the form of UESD.
A family friend told us about this new university, and we applied. The admission letter came almost immediately. Finally, I was going to university, but my feelings were mixed. Part of me was still holding on to the dream of KNUST.
On my first day at UESD, I looked around and thought, “What is this? Just one skyscraper (the lecture block)? KNUST has many.” I felt emotional and tried to belittle UESD the first few weeks. But little did I know, this was destiny unfolding.
I later reflected: while KNUST is already an established institution, UESD is a crawling and immature university who needs us—the pioneers—to help build, create, and leave memorable legacies. I know most of us here share similar or worse experiences than mine. However, here we are today, smiling and grateful to God for His greater works.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, we owe a great debt of gratitude. To the management of UESD, thank you for your vision, dedication, and tireless efforts to nurture this institution into what it is today. To our faculty, departments, teaching and non-teaching staff, we are forever grateful for your patience and guidance. You answered countless questions, explained concepts repeatedly, and inspired us when we doubted ourselves. To the administrators, we would not have come this far without your countless efforts at the background.
To our parents and guardians, we owe you, our lives. Your sacrifices, guidance, and support have been the backbone of our success.
To our friends who balanced studies with part-time jobs, I say ayekoo. I admire your resilience. To those who stood by us through thick and thin, thank you for the cherished memories and for being our family away from home.
To all awardees, congratulations on earning your well-deserved recognition. As pioneers, we have to ensure this tradition thrives. There is a task awaiting. Whatever award or honour you receive today – be it Most Improved or any other honour, you are tasked to give back when the time comes. Whether through mentorship, resources, or a quota, let your contribution keep this tradition alive. I’m appealing to the upcoming cohort to emulate our path and uphold this legacy with pride.
And above all, to God Almighty, who has been our ultimate anchor, thank You for bringing us this far.
As we celebrate this milestone, the question remains. “After graduation, what next?” For some, the next chapter is furthering their studies; for others, the workforce awaits. Some are even heading to the altar because, yes, love has been brewing on campus. To those about to marry, congratulations! To the rest of us, let us give love a chance, but when you do, remember to make several photocopies of your heart. Heartbreaks are part of life. Cry over it for a while and move on when it hits you. Society may try to present choices which can make or unmake your life, but in all your choices, be truthful to yourself and your maker.
Dear fellow graduates, the world we’re stepping into is full of surprises. It is a mix of opportunities and challenges. One day, you’ll feel on top of the world; the next, you’ll be wondering how your wallet got so empty. But isn’t that the fun of it? As we step out, remember that the world doesn’t owe us success, but it does give us chances. Degrees are important, but skills are what will truly set us apart. Let’s enhance the skills we have acquired or acquaint ourselves with one.
The world out there is challenging, yes! We know, but as UESD graduates, we are not ordinary. We are changemakers and beacon of hope. We are ready to change the world, yes! We can! We never take “no” for an answer because UESD has prepared us. Let’s go out there, create opportunities, and make the most of our lives. Work hard to put smiles on the faces of people and be the reason why someone would not give up. Remember, we’re not just graduates. We’re stars ready to shine!
As we embrace life’s uncertainties, let us embody adaptability and resilience, living by the UESD spirit and the HOPE agenda.
Above all, let us unite, collaborate, and lift each other up. As Henry Ford wisely stated, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
Academic achievement is significant, but it is not everything. Hold fast to the knowledge you have gained and make the most of your time, for life is not guaranteed. Remember the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
As we step into an election year, let’s remember the power we hold as youth. We have the potential to either promote peace or cause instability. By the power we have in us, let’s choose peace, for we have just one Ghana.
Dear Class of 2024, the future is ours to create. Let us go into the world and make our marks, and remember, as the Psalmist says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord…and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5, NKJV).
Congratulations once again, Class of 2024. The future is ours to create.
Thank you for your kind audience.
The speech delivered by Mr. Maxwell Boakye, the overall UESD Best Graduating Student @ the University’s Maiden Graduation. He studied Environment and Public Health and had a Grade Point of 4.0.
Maxwell is currently on National Service at his alma mater as a Teaching Assistant (TA).