UEW Enhances Academic Resources with Generous Book Donation
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has received a notable donation of books worth over £33,000 to enhance the institution’s teaching and learning resources.
The donation, spearheaded by Emeritus Professor El Anatsui, a renowned artist and academic, highlights his strong connection to UEW, where he began his teaching career when it was still known as the Specialist Training College.
The collection covers a broad range of disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, art history, art therapy, new media, graphic design and numerous other fields vital to modern art education.
During a brief handover ceremony, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW, commended the gesture as a noble example of alumni dedication and foresight. “This is more than a donation; it is a statement of faith in the power of knowledge to transform lives. Professor Anatsui has demonstrated to us all that regardless of how far we go in the world, our roots remain important. His gift will influence generations of students and scholars,” he said.
Prof. Mitchual also expressed gratitude for the timely support, noting that the donation would alleviate longstanding budget limitations. He remarked, “These books that have been donated to us are going to relieve us a lot,” emphasising that the University’s budget had often struggled to meet the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s standards, which require an annual allocation for essential academic resources.
Ms. Selasi Awusi Sosu, who played a key role in coordinating the process, was praised for her commitment to acting as the link between the donors and the university community. “Thank you so much for being the bridge between the donor and the university,” she was told. She responded by calling on colleagues and well-wishers to continue mobilising resources and fostering partnerships that advance the University’s mission.
In a message read on his behalf, emeritus Professor El Anatsui reflected on his longstanding association with UEW and his motivation for supporting its progress. “This is the school where my career started, right after university (i.e., from 1969–1975). It has, therefore, always held a special place in my practices both as a teacher and as an artist. After a long sojourn outside and coming back home after 50 years, I decided to render my gratitude to it and the city of Winneba for having given me the rich start which has taken me very far,” he shared.
He added: “It is an act of giving back so that it can continue to support both students and faculty to take off from here and keep soaring in their various roles in the future. I anticipate that the materials will be well cared for and used appropriately for the good of our nation Ghana, and indeed, the world.”
Prof. Hinneh Kusi emphasised the importance of ensuring that the books reach as many learners as possible. “We must ensure that they do not keep the books indefinitely, so that they can be shared and others can benefit,” he stressed, highlighting collective responsibility to maximise the impact of these materials.
Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku underscored the transformative potential of the donation. He observed that beyond their academic value, the books symbolise a shared commitment to empowering students and enriching scholarship across disciplines. “These materials will open new doors of inquiry and strengthen our culture of research and critical thinking,” he noted, encouraging faculty and students to make the most of the resources now at their disposal.
The event also featured words of encouragement acknowledging the challenges often involved in sourcing and delivering such support with speakers recognising the dedication and persistence of all involved.
As UEW continues to strengthen its position as a leader in teacher education and professional development, this generous contribution is expected to significantly enrich academic work across multiple fields while inspiring further collaborations that serve the broader educational community.
