The Distance Education Students' Association of Ghana (DESAG) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has launched its 10th anniversary celebrations under the theme “10 years of Distance Education and its Impact on Socio- Economic Growth and Development of the country: A Transformational Force.”

Speaking at the Launch, the Head of Academics at the College of Distance Education (CODE), Prof. Paul Ahiatrogah, commended the leadership of DESAG for the initiative.

He said over the years, the authorities of CODE had had fruitful and cordial relationship with the leadership of DESAG due to the fact that DESAG leadership had always displayed a lot of maturity in their dealings with management of the College.

Prof. Ahiatrogah said the attrition rate amongst teachers had reduced considerably in the country as a result of  the introduction of distance education.

He said a lot of headmasters, circuit supervisors and district directors were products of the College.

Since 2003/4, according to Prof. Ahiatrogah,the College had produced more than 40,000 teachers who were currently discharging their professional duties in the various sectors at the Ghana Education Service.

“Distance Education has transformed the lives of people to channel their energies into productive ventures...,” said Prof. Ahiatrogah, who represented the Provost of CODE, Prof. Isaac Galyoun.

He said the leadership of DESAG called on authorities to open more study centers to enroll more students, adding that “That is why we have more than 60 Study Centers countrywide.”

Prof. Ahiatrogah disclosed that CODE had recruited and given refresher courses  to more than 2000 course tutors who were facilitating Distance Education throughout the country.

He said the introduction of  distance education had reduced the burden on traditional universities as regards the limited space for enrollment.

In his remarks, Dr. Felix Kumadzro, the Co-ordinator of the Students’ Support Services Center, who chaired the function, said authorities of CODE were working tirelessly to make sure that Distance Students enjoy  the same benefits like the regular students.

To this end, he announced that authorities of CODE were in talks with management of the University to affiliate all Distance Students to the halls of residence.

“We are thinking of affiliating all Distance Students to the halls of residence so that you have that identity as a University student,” he said, to cheers from the students.

Some of the activities lined for the anniversary include annual zonal sports games, capacity building seminars, corporate social responsibility, inauguration of scholarship fund, visitation to less privileged individuals, annual congress, among others.