Participants from across the World Converge in UG for 8th School of Social Sciences International Conference
The School of Social Sciences held a two-day international conference under the theme ‘Resilience, Growth and Sustainability in the Post-COVID-19 Era: The Role of Social Sciences.’
The gathering addressed vulnerabilities that exist within societies and provided strategies to mitigate risks, enhance preparedness and promote inclusive and sustainable development.
Opening the Conference, the Dean of the School, Prof. Mavis Dako-Gyeke, explained that the conference will tackle the theoretical and practical complexities of the post-pandemic era. She also added that the theme was derived because of the tremendous transformations the global landscape has undergone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Given that the pandemic has caused and uncovered the vulnerabilities in our economic structures, health care systems and overall social fabric of societies, it is crucial to harness the potential of the social sciences to build resilience and provide the impetus for growth and sustainability for the future.” she said
The Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare, in an address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, urged stakeholders to deliberate on measures that tackle the challenges the world faces by finding long-lasting solutions.
“Although the pandemic is over, many global challenges remain. Indeed, there’s a threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. There is a growing rate of non-communicable diseases at our doorstep,’’ he mentioned.
He expressed the belief that the conference would provide the platform to develop new ideas and disseminate research findings.
Delivering a Keynote Address on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Nii Quao Donkor II, Asere Tsono Mantse stressed the need for all to champion and improve global innovative programmes that foster unity and elevate livelihoods.
“In our Ga tradition, resilience is not just about survival but about the ability to rebuild and transform. As we emerge from the pandemic, we must focus on strengthening the social structures that support our people, making them more adaptable to future challenges,” he said.
Nii Quao Donkor II emphasised the need to adapt our systems to meet the demands of the modern world, while staying true to our cultural values. He further acknowledged the role of social scientists in building systems to tackle future challenges.
Provost of the College of Humanities, Prof. Joseph Awetori Yaro, Chairperson of the opening ceremony, expressed gratitude to the School of Social Sciences for mobilising constituents across Africa and the world to deliberate on an important theme. He also anticipated fruitful discussions in all the sessions, which will translate into societal impact and transformation.
He urged participants to stir up ancestral wisdom to deal with contemporary challenges, through respect for history and social systems.
The two-day conference also featured a keynote address on day two by Prof. Festus Ebo Turkson, Department of Economics, on “The Role of Monetary Policy in Managing Ghana’s Inflation Dynamics Post COVID-19.” There were also panel discussions and parallel sessions featuring experts on various topics.
