3 hours More: Candles 🕯️‘Night at UEW Ajumako Campus: An Enlightening Evening of Camaraderie, Culture, and Community

   

Candle‑n‑Night at UEW Ajumako Campus: An Enlightening Evening of Camaraderie, Culture, and Community

By Campus Correspondent – Ajumako, Central Region

Under the soft glow of flickering candles and the soothing hum of student choruses, UEW Ajumako Campus transformed into a sanctuary of light, unity, and celebration tonight. The much-anticipated Candle‑n‑Night marked one of the signature events of the academic calendar—a celebration combining reflection, cultural expression, musical artistry, and campus camaraderie.

1. A Gathering at Twilight

As dusk descended over Ajumako town, the campus grounds began to glow. Students, staff, and guests gathered in clusters outside the administration hall of the College of Languages Education. The air was charged with anticipation, illuminated by lantern-lined pathways and soft candlelight reflecting off faces eager for connection.

A gentle breeze carried the faint aroma of incense and poems of welcome. Bunting in UEW’s signature scarlet, white, and ultramarine fluttered softly overhead, framing the forecourt in the university’s proud hues. The campus echoed with familiar greetings—“Akwaaba!” and “Meda wo akpeé!”—bridging Akan, Ewe, Ga‑Dangme, and Nzema cultures.

2. Opening Remarks: Unity in Diversity

At precisely 7:00 pm, the host—a charismatic student from the Akan‑Nzema Education Department—invited Principal Prof. Rebecca Atchoi Akpanglo‑Nartey to deliver the opening remarks. Drawing from UEW’s motto “Education for Service,” she emphasized how Candle‑n‑Night exemplifies that mission: bringing students together to celebrate learning, unity, and shared identity.

“Tonight, as we light candles,” she said, “we symbolise not only illumination of mind but also the warmth of our diverse cultures converging at Ajumako.” Her words resonated deeply across the multicoloured crowd, establishing the evening’s tone of dignity intertwined with delight. 

3. Procession of Flames and Cultural Expression

Following the keynote, students embarked on a candlelit procession, winding through the campus quadrangle. Wielding candles, lanterns, or torch‑like LED tubes, each faculty and department formed pride‑filled lines. Representatives wore traditional attire from Akan, Ewe, Nzema, and Ga‑Dangme regions—displaying kente cloth, Adinkra motifs, and vividly dyed fabrics.

Chants of unity—“Ɔmo adzeɛ biara yεn de ka!” (We bring something of each)—interspersed with rhythmic drumming and soft clapping. Some groups gently sang folk melodies in Ewe, while others recited Nzema poetry. The procession concluded at a prominent open courtyard under a canopy of LED festoon lights where students assembled to witness the next phase.

4. Candlelight Ceremony & Inspirational Messages

At center stage, dozens of candles flickered in a circle. Amid a hush, a designated student speaker from the Ewe Department delivered a moving reflection: “These candles symbolize hope—hope for our futures as educators, hope for our language and culture to endure, and hope for unity across the diverse communities we serve.”

A choir from the Ga‑Dangme Education department then performed a stirring tribute song adapted from “Nya Adofo” with gentle harmonies and lyrics about enlightening young minds. The choir’s soft voices and warm cadence heightened the emotional resonance of the moment.

5. Musical & Artistic Performances

What followed was an hour-long showcase of musical and creative talent. The Ewe Department led with an expressive drumming sequence accompanied by traditional Ewe dancing. Bright costumes—striped in red and black—flowed dramatically through choreographed circles. Each beat echoed purpose and cultural pride.

The Akan‑Nzema team offered a medley of Adowa songs and folk tales, while Ga‑Dangme students performed soul-filled gospel classics in Ga with heartfelt call-and-response choruses. Solo performances punctuated the program: a saxophone rendition of “Kotanɛ mu Awurade,” and a spoken-word adaptation of Nzema poetry, exploring themes of identity and education.

Students also shared short theater skits in English and Akan: one dramatization depicted a teacher from UEW returning to her village, teaching children to read their mother tongue. Another featured humorous campus life scenes that ended with a message of empathy and service.

6. Reflection and Affirmation: A Moment of Silence

At the crescendo of the program, the host invited everyone into one minute of silence. Lights dimmed, and only candlelight remained. This solemn moment was dedicated to remembering mentors, honoring lost loved ones, and recommitting to the ideals of teacher education and national service. Many attendees closed their eyes while holding their glowing candles close.

7. Community Reception and Fellowship

As the formal program closed, the atmosphere transitioned into relaxed fellowship. Outdoor lanterns and portable speakers played soft lounge-style Afro-jazz and highlife music. Small clusters of students and staff shared snacks—kɔkɔro (fried plantain), kelewele (spicy fried plantain), samosas, and chilled sobolo drinks—while reflecting on the evening’s highlights.

Friends posed for selfies under strings of warm fairy lights. New friendships formed between departments: Ewe and Akan students laughing together, Nzema and Ga‑Dangme groups exchanging numbers to plan cultural collaborations. Faculty mingled with students, reinforcing bonds beyond classrooms.

8. Symbolism & Strategic Significance for UEW Ajumako

For the Campus of Languages Education, which hosts the Departments of Akan‑Nzema, Ewe, and Ga‑Dangme Education, events like Candle‑n‑Night are more than tradition—they are tangible representations of the university’s mission to train culturally rooted language teachers. As the campus gradually transitions into the College of Languages Education, such cross-cultural acts reinforce unity in linguistic diversity. 

The event also serves as an annual morale booster—especially crucial in a residential campus like Ajumako, where students may feel isolated from Winneba’s main social hubs. Candle‑n‑Night builds a strong sense of belonging on-site.

9. Logistics & Planning Highlights

Organizing Candle‑n‑Night requires meticulous coordination:

• The Students’ Representatives Council (SRC) collaborated with security personnel to map processional routes and ensure fire safety and crowd control.

• Facilities staff supported setup of stage lighting, benches, and lantern stands.

• The University COVID‑19 protocols were observed where relevant: LED‑candles were encouraged, communal spaces ventilated, and sanitizer provided at handwashing stations.

Behind the scenes, faculties prepared rehearsals weeks in advance, with choreographers, musicians, and MCs refining their performances. The auditorium served as rehearsal space during the day before transforming into an outdoor stage by evening.

10. Closing Thoughts

By 10:30 pm, the candles were extinguished, the crowd dispersed, and the campus returned to peaceful quiet. Yet the glow of shared experiences and cultural pride would linger far beyond the night.

Candle‑n‑Night at UEW Ajumako wasn’t just a festive evening—it was a lantern of unity, shining across cultures, languages, and aspirations, illuminating the path ahead for future teachers committed to serving Ghana with linguistic and educational richness.

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