We Will Create Our Own Medals if UG Won’t Give Us – Legon 3rd Class Students Cry Out

The significance of a medal during a graduation ceremony cannot be understated. It symbolizes achievement, hard work, and the culmination of years of dedication to academic pursuits. For many graduates, receiving a medal is a cherished moment, a recognition of their efforts in the academic realm. However, at the University of Ghana, Legon, this tradition seems to be different.

Unlike other universities like KNUST, UCC, and UEW, where medals are awarded to all graduating students, the University of Ghana, Legon, follows a practice of only awarding medals to first-class students. This discrepancy has left a section of the students feeling disregarded and overlooked as they watch their peers being celebrated.

Adding to their frustration, 2nd class lower 3rd class students find themselves seated outside the auditorium during the graduation ceremony due to limited space inside. This exclusion has led to a sense of dissatisfaction among these students, who believe they deserve recognition for their academic journey, despite not achieving the first-class status.

In response to this, a section of the 2023 graduating class has decided to “create their own happiness”. They plan to pool resources and create their own medals, intending to award themselves during the graduation day. Their motivation stems from the belief that while they may not meet the criteria for a first-class medal, their perseverance and effort to reach the milestone of wearing the graduation gown should be acknowledged and celebrated.