The Department of Laboratory Technology of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held stakeholders meeting to solicit views on its proposed Master’s programme in Safety and Emergency Response.
The consultative meeting, held at the Department of Physics Seminar Room served as a platform for stakeholders to present their inputs, contributions and concerns in order to shape the programme to achieve its objective of training competent individuals to handle emergencies.
The Dean of School of the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. David Kofi Essumang, pleaded with stakeholders to avail themselves to give their technical assistance when the programme was mounted in order to help students get the practical and technical knowledge. He noted that, “One of the aspect for this forum is to look through the programme at the various area specifics which may require additions.”
The Programme
The programme would be designed to train people to attend to all forms of emergency situations. The programme would be mounted during the sandwich session of the University’s academic calendar.
Stakeholders Inputs
Some of the stakeholders at the meeting proposed that the programme should start from the certificate to diploma, through first-degree levels, then the students could progress to the Master’s Degree level. This would give room for prospective students who do not qualify to directly enter the Master’s level.
The Central Regional Commander of the Ghana Police Service, Mr. Jonathan Lamptey, added that most of their officers were not qualified to apply at the Master’s level. Hence starting the programme at the master’s level would limit its patronage and impact.
Some Stakeholders also recommended some possible courses that were related to their areas of operation in their organisations which they believe could be included in the programme to help achieve its intended purposes. Some of the recommended courses were contingency Planning, Hazard and Disaster Mapping amongst others.
Responding, the Dean of the School of Physical Sciences said that “We cannot do things on our own and these inputs have been an eye opening and are very important for us to pursue it to help solve problems, so we are very grateful
Participants
In attendance were representatives from the Ghana Navy, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Ghana Red Cross, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, University of Cape Coast Security, Central Regional Police Command and Ghana National Fire Service
Source:ucc.edu,gh
