On March 7, 2023, UHAS was honoured with a Special Visit by Torgbui Seth Albert Francis Nyonyo, Member of the Council of State for Volta Region. The visit was to enable him experience first-hand some of the challenges facing the young but promising University. During the visit, Torgbui Nyonyo, on behalf of Nyonyo Foundation, donated GHC200,000 to UHAS. “The Nyonyo Foundation will therefore support you with an initial GHC200,000 to commence a relationship with the University,” he told the audience comprising management, staff and students of UHAS.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato, presenting the state of the University to the venerable Member of the Council of State, said although UHAS has chalked some laudable achievements, among which is taking first place on the AD Scientific Index’s World Scientist and University Rankings 2023 for Ghana, its challenges are far too many. She cited insufficient space for either lectures or hostel facilities, noting that it was costing the University and by extension the nation, the opportunity to train as many health professionals as possible: “This year we received a total of 13,410 applications but we could only admit 1,775 students representing 12 percent, due to inadequate infrastructure to absorb many who were qualified,” she said.
Torgbui Nyonyo also interacted with the student body, listening to them present their challenges and suggestions, and sharing nuggets of wisdom with them. He acknowledged that although having great prospects with a vibrant dream, UHAS is saddled with a myriad of problems. He also announced plans for a public-private partnership to renovate the Dr. Christian Ayebeng Botchway UHAS Guest Complex located at Teshie-Nungua.
He said the University’s vision of developing into a pre-eminent research and practically oriented health educational institution dedicated to community service needs to be supported; he promised to also lobby some major donors to come to the aid of the University.
Justice Victor J.M. Dotse, Chairman of the UHAS Governing Council, expressed appreciation to Torgbui Nyonyo for his generosity.
The day-long visit saw Torgbui Nyonyo and his entourage tour various projects, both completed and ongoing, on the main campus.