Dr. Archibald Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, said during a surprise visit to UHAS on July 21 that “the government is very grateful to the management and staff of the university” for progress being made on the various projects the university is undertaking. The Minister’s stopover on the Main Campus was part of a working tour of all ongoing projects in Ho Municipality. The former Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Prosper Pi Bansa and some chiefs from the Ho, Sokode and Kodjobi Traditional Areas were part of the entourage.
Led by Vice Chancellor Professor John O. Gyapong, the entourage inspected ongoing and completed projects on the UHAS Main Campus, starting with the Sokode-Titrinu Dual Carriage Bypass project. The Regional Minister assured those gathered that the government has secured funds for FirstSky Construction firm to be able to complete the project, which includes UHAS internal roads, on schedule.
The entourage then inspected the university’s central laboratory, which is also being constructed by FirstSky with funding from the GETFund, estimated at over GHC30,000,000.
At the site of the China Aid Phase II project of UHAS, Mr. Yhang Jingcheng, Business Manager of the Chinese construction firm Nantong Sijian Construction Group, informed the Regional Minister and other stakeholders present, that the project — construction of the university’s School of Nursing and Midwifery and the General Administration block over an area of 29,00 square meters — is funded by China Aid. He said, although there are pertinent issues that have delayed the clearance of their shipments from Tema Harbor, the firm is embarking on excavation works and other site preparatory activities.
Dr. Letsa was visibly impressed with work already done by the contractor and expressed the Ghanaian government’s appreciation to the People’s Republic of China. He hinted that the President of Ghana would be in the region by October to cut sod for the official commencement of the project. Professor Gyapong indicated that the GoG counterpart funding for the project, which covers the construction of pipes for water supply, is also underway.
The minister also inspected a site designated for construction of student hostels. The VC explained that this project, which has been awarded to four local contractors, is the university’s initiative, financed through bank loan arrangements.
The entourage ended the tour at UHAS Basic School, where the Vice Chancellor briefed them on the rationale for the construction of a Basic School. He specified that the Basic School project was a self-financed project of the university. He added that although the school is currently only accepting the wards of UHAS employees, there are plans to open intake to residents of Ho Municipality in the near future.
Dr. Letsa had earlier visited other ongoing projects in Ho Municipality, including Ho Main Market; a bridge reconstruction project near Ola Senior High School; the Solid and Liquid Waste Treatment Plant at Akrofu; Sokode Abattoir; and the Sokode-Ho Dual Carriage Road project.
