By Princetta Williams, Information Attaché, SLHC Accra
The High Commissioner of Sierra Leone in Ghana, His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, during the first flag-raising ceremony in honour of international students at the Accra Technical University, said that studying in a foreign country requires courage, resilience, adaptability, and determination.
He was speaking as the special guest of honour at the important and symbolic event.
According to High Commissioner Kaisamba, seeing the flags of many nations proudly displayed on one campus is both inspiring and reassuring, as each flag tells a unique story, history, culture, and a set of aspirations.
“Choosing to study outside your home country is not always easy, as you’ll leave behind familiar surroundings, family members, and friends in pursuit of education, personal growth, and opportunity,” H.E. Kaisamba continued.
He said the theme for the ceremony, dubbed as “Raising Flags, Building Bridges: Promoting International Understanding and Cultural Exchange,” speaks directly to the purpose of higher education in our modern world, adding that education is not merely about acquiring knowledge and professional skill, but broadening horizons, embracing diversity, and building meaningful connections across nations.
H.E. Kaisamba commended the Accra Technical University for instituting this ceremony, which he described as a visionary initiative that recognizes the richness of cultures and the value that international students bring to the university community.
Speaking on behalf of the international students of Accra Technical University was the president, Abdulai Daboh, who said the event was more than a ceremony and expressed gratitude to all invited dignitaries for gracing the maiden edition.
Daboh said that, as students far from their home countries, the presence of their country’s High Commission and Embassies makes them feel closer.
He encouraged his fellow students to be steadfast in pursuing their purpose at the university while thanking authorities for their hospitality and the knowledge that is being imparted to them.
The Vice Chancellor of the Accra Technical University, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, appreciated all the guests and students of the university.
He said the ATU remains an institution that caters for its students no matter the country of origin.
He admonished them to keep their heads high, promote their cultures, and promote unity, always in the great continent of Africa.
The presence of the international students, he said, adds spice to the university and enriches the classrooms with diverse cultures.
The programme was wrapped up with the raising of flags of different countries such as Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
