Webster University Ghana Celebrates 6th Graduating Class

On the morning of Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, Webster University Ghana held the sixth annual commencement ceremony at its East Legon campus.

The graduates were graced by the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie Sullivan, and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Education, including the Acting Director in Charge of Tertiary, Mr. Nhyira Sarfo Adu-Amankwah, and the National Accreditation Board (NAB). Graduates from the Class of 2020 were furthermore inspired by the uplifting words of renowned speaker, Dr. Joyce Aryee.

The ceremony opened with a procession of members of Webster University’s administration, special guests, faculty and graduating students followed by the national anthems of Ghana and the United States and a moment of silence in honor of the late former president Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, whose family member was a part of the graduating class.

Webster Ghana alumni now represent 25 nationalities, and Class of 2020 grads studied abroad in five countries.

To date, Webster’s only campus location in Africa has successfully conferred graduate and undergraduate degrees upon students from over 25 nationalities. Graduates of the campus currently work in a range of sectors, including one who recently joined the campus as an admissions staff member. Members of the graduating class also had the opportunity to study abroad in the U.S., the Netherlands, Thailand, Austria and Switzerland.

Campus Director Christa Sanders warmly welcomed all, sharing her enthusiasm in finally being able to celebrate the 2020 graduates after having to postpone the ceremony twice due to COVID safety concerns. Sanders congratulated the students on their momentous achievements and expressed pride in this special class having succeeded in managing the particular challenges of completing a degree amidst a worldwide pandemic.

U.S. Ambassador Sullivan offered words of wisdom to the graduates, encouraging them to take the ideas and knowledge acquired and get to work in solving the current challenges for global prosperity, as they embark upon a promising new journey.

The audience then enjoyed heartfelt recorded messages from the heads of Business and International Relations departments – currently in the United States and South Africa, respectively – due to the pandemic. Both department heads urged the graduating students to be proud of their journeys, take advantage of the connections made while at Webster and to seek to make the world a better place.

The commencement speaker was the well-known Ghanaian politician and business executive, Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, who offered a resounding address laced with humor and aspiration. She called on the graduating class to aim to use their educational background and global experience to be exceptional leaders – persons who lead with integrity, vision, concern and courage.

After Aryee's remarks, each graduating student beamed with pride while crossing the stage to receive a Webster degree, followed by student addresses from the highest academically achieving students (GPA) representing undergraduate and graduate classes. They also heard from alumnus Noble Nazzah, who formed part of Webster Ghana very first graduating cohort in 2016.

The event concluded officially with closing remarks and a recession of the stage party, followed by a brief socially distanced reception for friends, family and staff in celebration of the new graduates.