Volta Hall Management Pays Courtesy Visit to Chancellor, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse
Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse, received a delegation from Volta Hall, led by Hall Warden Dr. Margaret Amankwah-Poku, at her residence. The visit provided an opportunity to reminisce about the past, discuss current developments and address pressing issues, including accommodation challenges.
In her introductory remarks, Dr. Amankwah-Poku highlighted the importance of the visit while stressing the need to stay in touch with alumnae of the Hall.
‘As an alumna of Volta Hall, it is only prudent that we pay you a visit, check on you and find out how you are doing. As the years have gone by, leadership has also changed both for students and Management, so we are here to also introduce ourselves to you,’ she explained.
During the interaction, Mrs. Chinery-Hesse, an alumna of Volta Hall, warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed her gratitude for the thoughtful visit.
The Chancellor also shared fond memories of her time at Volta Hall, recounting the vibrant social life, strict rules and strong sense of camaraderie that defined her university experience.
"Due to how the Hall was organised in our time, we ate together. Especially late in the evening, we would study privately but afterwards everyone will walk to the JCR for the night cup. We would sit and chat during that time and it was fun. I just wonder what the situation is now," Mrs. Chinery-Hesse recalled.
She bemoaned the lack of togetherness and belongingness in this current dispensation and encouraged the Hall Management to organise events that promote a strong sense of community among Volta Hall residents, both past and present. Mrs. Chinery-Hesse also urged Hall Management to continue nurturing students who embody excellence.
In response to the Chancellor’s comments, Dr. Amankwah-Poku assured her of steps being taken to ensure that students integrate well into the Hall and have a sense of belongingness. She acknowledged the challenges posed by the University's new residential policy, which limits the duration of students' stay in the halls, making it harder for them to feel a sense of belonging. "This policy will make it more difficult for students to feel connected to the Hall. However, we encouraged the first-year students to buy the hall cloth, and we are planning activities to keep them involved," she added.
Dr. Amankwah-Poku also emphasised the ongoing accommodation issues, stating, "One of the pressing concerns, as we all know, is accommodation. We are here to seek ideas on how we might secure a hostel or annex for ourselves. We are eager to interact with the Chancellor and explore how the alumnae can support us."
Notably, Alumna and Akuaba Estates Founder, Mrs. Adusei-Herbstein, who was also present at the interaction, expressed her willingness to explore opportunities for augmenting accommodation at the Hall. She mentioned that her team would examine the abandoned Women’s Resource Centre, a Volta Hall project, to ascertain how they can help complete it.
Speaking exclusively to Public Affairs Directorate News Desk, the President of the Volta Hall Alumnae Association, Mrs. Lydia Amamoo, stressed the importance of reconnecting with alumnae, including those who have just graduated. "We need to reach out to those who have left, and to do that, we need to have their contact information. So, let's spread the word and connect with each other, so we can accomplish something significant for the Hall."
In another interview with Mrs. Edith Sapara-Grant of the 1968 Year Group, she expressed her deep commitment to ensuring that Volta Hall’s legacy of "ladies with vision and style" continues to flourish, even if that means expanding beyond the physical space of the Hall. "I hope that Volta Hall will continue to be a place for ladies of style and vision. I trust that the ideas we have discussed will come to fruition, allowing us to preserve its tradition," she added.
Other alumnae present shared experiences on their time as students in the Hall, commending the Hall Management for their dedication. These included Mrs. Genevieve Sohne, Dr. Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi and former Registrar of the University, Mrs. Mercy Haizel-Ashia.
The visit concluded with the presentation of a bouquet of fresh flowers and some yards of the Volta Hall cloth to the Chancellor.
The event was also attended by Dr. Mrs. Elizier Ameyaw-Buronyah, Director of Public Affairs, Ms. Pascaline Songsore, Senior Assistant Registrar at the Directorate, as well as some Volta Hall executives and other Hall Management members.
