Counselling services Centre

The idea of having counselling services in the University of Cape Coast dates back from the 1970s. In 1976, the Hall Counselling System was instituted, after a recommendation by the Committee of Halls. Some fellows of each Hall were appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as “Hall Counsellors” while some academic staff were appointed as “Academic Counsellors” to help students with their personal and academic difficulties respectively.

A 1991 study by Duku revealed that the Hall Counselling System was not effective. According to the study the students were not satisfied with the services rendered by their hall counsellors. Besides, the counsellors were not available when they were most needed. Another study by Irvin, Essuman and Montford (1996) also revealed that 94% of the respondents never met their counsellors or met them either casually or for entertainment purposes only. Only 6% actually met their counsellors. This study confirmed Duku’s study that the Counselling System had not been effective for counselling purposes. The 1996 study also indicated the desire of the students to have a counselling centre run on professional basis.

Subsequently, a proposal for the establishment of a counselling centre was submitted to the university authorities in February 1996. Approval was soon given for the setting up of a Counselling Centre. From August 1996 up to May 1997 six workshops were run on Career Services for counsellors in three tertiary institutions, namely University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and University of Ghana, Legon. These career workshops stimulated the establishment of the UCC Centre. By April 1997 a place had been allocated for the Centre and in November 1997, an Acting Director was appointed to administer the centre.

Major Aims

The Counselling Centre was established to:

1. Render counselling services to students and staff of the university and to the community outside the university,
2. Provide crisis counselling on demand,
3. Organise relevant guidance/counselling – oriented seminars, workshops, conferences, orientation courses for the university community and beyond,
4. Collect and disseminate educational, vocational and personal social information to students (and staff),
5. Conduct relevant research on pertinent counselling and guidance issues,
6. Provide psychological testing services,
7. Write relevant counselling/guidance materials for use by students, university staff etc.,
8. Organise outreach programmes within the Cape Coast Municipality (especially in the schools) and beyond,
9. Work in collaboration with the offices of the Dean of Students and the Registrar in providing counselling/guidance services to students,
10. Provide a source for post-graduate counselling practicum,
11. Take on any other counselling services which pertain to the goals and objectives of the university.
12. Organize Post Graduate sandwich courses in Guidance and Counselling,
13. Provide tuition in Guidance and Counselling for students in the Faculty of Education.

Staff of the Centre

The centre has:

• A Director
• Six qualified (professional) Counsellors
• Four Senior Research Assistants
• A Principal Administrative Assistant
• An Administrative Assistant
• A Messenger/Cleaner and
• A Driver.

Programmes of the Centre

The centre runs the following services:

• Counselling services for students and staff.
• Collection and dissemination of academic, career and personal-social information for student use.
• Organisation of workshops, seminars and talks (eg. Career Conferences).
• Writing workshops to produce counselling materials.
• Outreach programmes for secondary schools in Central Region and beyond.
• Research on relevant counselling issues.

Counselling Services

The centre renders counselling services in the following areas.

• Academic/Career Counselling
• Personal-Social Counselling
• Marriage and Family Counselling
• Group Counselling.

Psychological Testing Services

The centre provides psychological testing services for students, staff and their families, to aid their career, academic pursuit and personality improvement.

Organisation of Workshops, Seminars and Talks, Orientation Courses

• The centre organises workshops, conferences and seminars on various guidance/counselling topics for students and staff (senior and junior).
• Career and educational conferences are organised for students to enable them have more insight into the careers they are preparing for.
• The staff of the centre assists the office of the Dean of Students in mounting orientation for fresh students.
• Special workshops and seminars on marriage and family issues as well as on career and academic issues are organised.

Sandwich Programme and Post-Graduate Students' Practicum

The Centre in collaboration with the Department of Educational Foundations runs two Sandwich Post-graduate programmes namely M.A and M.Ed in Guidance and Counselling. The Centre also organizes counseling practicum for 2nd year MA/ MED/M.Phil students. Graduate students assist in organising talks, seminars and career conferences and other counselling activities appropriate for their practicum.

Study Clinic

The Centre through the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (TALIF) Project has established a Study Clinic. A schedule of professional counsellors and senior research assistants keep the clinic active.

HIV/AIDS Resource Unit and Voluntary Counselling and Testing Facility

The Centre through the TALIF Project has established an HIV/AIDS resource unit at the Counselling Centre and a Voluntary Counselling and Testing Unit at the University Hospital. In collaboration with the hospital staff counselling services are offered at the VCT Unit. A schedule of professional counsellors and senior research assistants run the clinic.

Life Planning Skills Programme (Young and Wise)

The Centre in collaboration with Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) runs a Life Planning Skills (LPS) programme dubbed “Young and Wise” for students. Students who participate in the programme are awarded certificates by the Counselling Centre and PPAG. The training is offered to the youth to equip them to:

• recognize the importance of adhering to high moral values
• deal with sexual and reproductive issues
• think about and plan for their future.