Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, cut sod September 10 for Phase II of the China Aid construction project to commence at the UHAS Permanent Campus. The $68 million project will accommodate the Central Administration of the University as well as the School of Nursing and Midwifery. The project, to be undertaken by Nantong Sijian Construction Group Corporation Ltd. and China Urban Construction Design and Research Institute, will occupy a total area of 29,200 square metres — nearly three times the size of Phase I — and is projected to be the largest Nursing and Midwifery College in Africa.

President Akufo-Addo said the “young” university, which has already achieved massive laurels, requires additional infrastructural projects to deliver on its mandate, and he pledged the government’s support to the University.

The Government of Ghana has made available Ghc 6.2 million in counterpart funding for preliminary works that will cover the extension of electricity, municipal water supply, construction of storm and waste drains, and all ancillary services required for the project’s implementation.

H.E. Lu Kun, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, said his government is willing to promote education and health services in Ghana: “We believe education and medical care are areas related to national hope and well-being of its people.” He also noted that upon completion, the project will “significantly deepen delivery of quality healthcare delivery and boost access to healthcare services for all.”

UHAS Vice Chancellor Professor John Gyapong lauded the government for its constant support and interest in UHAS, noting that this second phase of the overall development of the Permanent Campus will help fulfil the promise of “adequate infrastructure development in preparation for admitting more students from the Free SHS programme.” When completed the UHAS student population is expected to grow from the current 6000 to over 10,000.

The VC also requested of the President to facilitate the acquisition of at least two high-volume buses to enable commuting between Ho Teaching Hospital and the Permanent Campus.

Enroute to Ho, the President stopped at Fodome in Hohoe municipality, where he inspected the first phase of the ultramodern, multipurpose building complex of the School of Public Health. Briefing the President and his entourage at the site, Vice Chancellor Gyapong indicated that the project is behind schedule due to delayed release of funds from GETFUND. He sought the President's intervention to facilitate release of the needed funding.