The Management of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has treated two teaching staff and five non-teaching staff at the main campus, Kumasi of the University, to a fitting farewell party upon reaching the statutory 60-year retiring age on September 30, 2021.
The retirees are Prof. Joseph Mbawuni, Associate Professor; Dr. Kofi Yeboah Asiamah, Senior Lecturer; Mr. Gabriel Homenya, Principal Security Officer; and Mr. Dominic Adongo, Chief Steward; Mr. Yelibo Yiteng and Mr. Francis Adongo (both Senior Headman) and Mr. Inusah Seidu, Security Guard I.
Each of them received a parting package of a certificate, citation, and assorted gifts worth about GHC6,000.00. The gifts included electronic appliances, furniture, building materials, etc.
The Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick K. Sarfo, highly commended the retirees for their various contributions to the development of the University in his farewell message at the October 2, 2021 party.
He observed that not all the times of their service in the University were joyous but, in the moments of sadness, anxiety, disappointment, etc., they showed resilience and braced those moments for the good of the University.
“I wish to encourage you to be good ambassadors for AAMUSTED, even as retirees,” he said as he appealed to them to keep the University in their hearts, and as much as possible, explore ways to help its development.
He said the University would be calling on them for guidance and support occasionally because of the depth of knowledge and experiences they mustered during their years of service in the University.
In that regard, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the Management would be organizing Exit Interview Sessions to allow the fresh retirees to speak their minds about the prevailing conditions of the University and criticise where necessary, but most importantly, share their experiences. The retirees could also propose workable means to improve decision-making in the University. He hoped that the 2021 batch of retirees would avail themselves generously when invited.
Again, he said the Management had created the AAMUSTED EXIT Platform intended to offer the opportunity for fresh retirees to interact with experienced ones to help them (fresh retirees) to adjust and adapt smoothly and expeditiously to their new life as retirees.
He touched on opportunities that the retirees could still tap from the University and particularly mentioned the University Healthcare Policy that allows retirees and their spouses to be cared for by the University until death. While encouraging them to maximise the available opportunities, he said Management was still looking to enhance the healthcare policy.
For those in active service, he advised them to commit themselves to hard work to help AAMUSTED develop faster. He also touched on the tightening regulatory regime that the leaders of public universities now have to manage institutions. In that regard, he appealed to workers to be patient with Management as they made tireless efforts to address their felt needs and concerns.
One of the retirees, Prof. Mbawuni, expressed appreciation to the Governing Council, Management, and staff of the University on behalf of the retirees. He said the honour done to the seven retirees would remain a valuable memory that they would cherish for the rest of their lives on earth.
He assured the Management that he and his colleagues would avail themselves to support the University in any capacity their services might be required and urged staff to endeavour to live in harmony and cooperation with the Management to move AAMUSTED forward.
