In a collaborative effort by the College Management and the Guidance and Counselling Unit, Dambai College of Education hosted a comprehensive orientation programme on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, for nineteen (19) newly appointed Staff Members. Held at the Council Chamber, the event aimed to acquaint the new recruits with the College’s operational standards and evolving administrative framework during this critical phase of transition to a university salary pay structure.
The programme commenced with an opening prayer by the Second Deputy Counsellor, Samuel Xenyo, setting a reflective tone for the day. The College Principal, Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Awusi Atiku then delivered a warm welcome address, urging the new staff to consider themselves fortunate to join the college system at a time when all 46 colleges are transitioning to a university-based salary structure. She assured the recruits that updated letters of appointment would be issued shortly, replacing the previous ones.
Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Awusi Atiku also provided a succinct overview of the history of Colleges of Education in Ghana. She traced its evolution from a Teacher Training College – initially a Post-Secondary, Certificate-Awarding Institution to a Diploma-Awarding Institution by the 2007/2008 Academic Year. She further explained that legislative acts, notably, 778 of 2008 and the Colleges of Education Act (Act 847, 2012), were instrumental in granting full tertiary status to all Colleges of Education in Ghana.
Adding depth to the historical narrative, College Secretary Mr. Thaddeus Kokobina recounted the establishment of DACE on October 18, 1974, under the leadership of the first Principal, Mr. Narh George Busumprah. He highlighted the significance of the College’s ‘Sankofa’ logo – a reminder of the institution’s heritage during a period of significant educational restructuring.
The Vice Principal of the College, Dr. Frank Awuah then briefed the new staff on the Bachelor of Education Programme offered in affiliation with the University for Development Studies (UDS). He outlined the college’s three main specialisms – Early Grade, Upper Grade, and Junior High School Education – and emphasized the importance of adhering to the institution’s policies, which are available on the college’s official website.
The orientation also featured insights from key figures including the six Heads of Academic Department, the Finance Officer, the Chief Security Officer, the Chief Matron, the Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, the Librarian, as well as Union Leaders and representatives of the College Welfare Association. Their contributions provided a well-rounded introduction to the operational and cultural framework of Dambai College of Education.
The session concluded with a closing prayer led by Rev. Godwin Gbadagba, Chaplain and First Deputy Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, marking a successful integration of the new staff into the DACE family.
Source: DCE Editorial Board
