{
  "id": 73583,
  "title": "When they come for you, send them to me – Sam Jonah’s message to new UCC Vice-Chancellor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/when-they-come-for-you-send-them-to-me-sam-jonahs-message-to-new-ucc",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T05:46:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/when-they-come-for-you-send-them-to-me-sam-jonahs-message-to-new-ucc-vice-chancellor/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a resounding endorsement, Sir Sam Jonah has pledged unwavering support to the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Aheto. Speaking at the installation ceremony on August 1, Sir Sam Jonah emphasized that the new leader's appointment was not about maintaining the current state of affairs, but rather, ushering in a transformative era for the institution in the face of a rapidly evolving world dominated by artificial intelligence.\n\nSir Sam Jonah cautioned that the road ahead would be fraught with criticism, as reformers invariably face such resistance. However, he encouraged Professor Aheto to rely on his own experience, having spent five decades advocating for what was deemed impossible. During his address, Sir Sam Jonah painted a vivid picture of the daunting task that lay before the university, declaring, \"I have not come here to hand you keys. I have come to hand you a storm.\"\n\nThe university's future, Sir Sam Jonah warned, cannot be defined solely by the transmission of information, as technology has irrevocably altered that role. He argued that universities now risk becoming obsolete if they continue to prioritize the mere delivery of knowledge. Instead, he championed the need for institutions to focus on equipping graduates with practical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to tackle real-world problems. \"The world our graduates are entering will not ask them what they know. It will ask them what they can do,\" Sir Sam Jonah stated emphatically.\n\nAddressing the pressing issue of African graduates possessing theoretical knowledge but lacking practical competence, Sir Sam Jonah lamented the consequences for nations comprised of people who know, yet cannot apply their learning. He challenged the University of Cape Coast to pioneer Africa's first faculty dedicated to vocational education, bridging the gap between academic qualifications and practical competence. Additionally, he advocated for stronger industry partnerships, project-based learning, AI innovation clubs, and mentorship from Ghanaian experts residing abroad.\n\nAddressing Professor Aheto directly, Sir Sam Jonah stressed the importance of safeguarding the university's academic standards while dismantling the barriers between theory and practice. He urged the Vice-Chancellor to preserve the university's integrity, stating, \"Guard the standards of this University with your life; a devalued degree helps no one.\" Furthermore, Sir Sam Jonah called for the recognition of lecturers with practical expertise on par with traditional academics, suggesting that they should be accorded the same respect and compensation.\n\nIn his concluding remarks, Sir Sam Jonah urged the university community to seize this defining moment in history. \"The old model of the university is passing. A new one is waiting to be built. Someone will build it. Let it be built here, by us,\" he said. He concluded by directing his final charge towards the new Vice-Chancellor: \"The storm is yours now. So is the honour. Lead us.\"",
  "summary": "Sam Jonah has thrown his full support behind the newly installed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Aheto, urging him to pursue bold reforms and promising to stand by him when resistance comes.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sir Sam Jonah pledges support to new UCC Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aheto",
    "Warns of challenges ahead, urges practical skills development",
    "Calls for vocational education faculty and industry partnerships"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}