President Akufo-Addo has commended the Management of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) for complementing government’s efforts to ensure that the University becomes the best within a few years of its establishment.
The President, who was the Guest Speaker at 10th anniversary grand durbar of UHAS said, the institution has attained international recognition and ranked among the top three universities in Ghana, thus deserves to be commended.
President Akufo-Addo stated that UHAS has come a long way and is undoubtedly bigger than expected.
The President said when he arrived at the University to cut sod for phase two of the expansion project, he discovered that more needed to be done for it to deliver effectively on its mandate, so he directed the Finance and Education Ministries, along with Management, to secure funding of $60 million from the Chinese government for the project to be completed.
Phase I of the project, which covered a total construction area of 10,386 square meters, was completed and handed over to the University about six years ago.
President Akufo-Addo said government recognises that, in spite of all the numerous facilities, the University requires additional infrastructural projects in order to effectively deliver on its mandate.
“From a humble beginning, UHAS now boasts of a student population of 7,688 and spread across seven schools and this must be commended,“ President Akufo-Addo said.
He stated that as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the project, an amount of 6.2 million cedis has been set aside for the extension of electricity, water supply, and other services to enable the University function better.
He stated that eight months after the sod was cut, the phase two project to house the School of Nursing and Midwifery as well as the University’s Central Administration is progressing steadily. He added that he will be in the University to commission the project in April 2024.
President Akufo-Addo commended the Vice Chancellor and Management for their judicious use of the Internally Generated Fund in complementing government’s efforts to help with the infrastructure of the University.
He commended the former Council Chairman, Prof Kofi Anyidoho and the former founding members, the former Vice Chancellor, Professor Fred Binkah, and the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor John Gyapong for their continued support in making sure that the University becomes one of the best in the country.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor John Gyapong, enumerated the University’s many successes as well as the challenges it has faced over the years, some of which they have overcome through hard work and dedication to work.
Prof Gyapong noted that 10 years in the life of an institution is always worth commemorating hence the need for UHAS to celebrate the milestone. He said the objective among others, was to recognise the founding members and give thanks and glory to God for his grace.
“Ten years in the life of an institution is always worth commemorating and we at the University of Health and Allied Sciences [UHAS] do so to recognize our humble beginnings, recognise our founding fathers and mothers and give thanks to the Almighty God for his grace and mercy’’ Prof Gyapong said.
Prof Gyapong commended the founding members for the great work done during the early days of the University which has made it possible for them to be among the very best in the country and the world at large.
Prof Gyapong expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo and his administration for their efforts in ensuring that the University’s infrastructure and other developmental needs are met.
He also paid tribute to the memory of the late former President, Professor Evans Fiifi Atta Mills for the vision he had for the University.
He noted that UHAS would not have been what it is today without the dedication of the teaching and non-teaching staff who worked hard towards achieving success for the University.
Source: Ghana News
