July 18, 2026
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Government's commitment to completing the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Multi-Purpose Laboratory Complex following an inspection visit to the University's main campus at Sokode-Lokoe in Ho, today, Thursday, July 16, 2026.
The visit formed part of the President's tour of strategic national infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening tertiary education and research capacity across the country.
Welcoming the President and his entourage, the Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Professor Lydia Aziato, described the laboratory complex as one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in Africa. She disclosed that the project, which commenced in 2014, is about 72 percent complete.
According to Professor Aziato, the complex will accommodate approximately 1,200 students and staff and will house specialized laboratories in medical imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, nutrition, prosthetics and anatomy, alongside an international-standard research laboratory designed to support advanced scientific research. She noted that due to inadequate teaching space, portions of the uncompleted facility are already being used for lectures.
Highlighting the University's growth from 154 students in 2012 to nearly 11,000 students today, Professor Aziato stressed the urgent need for additional infrastructure. While expressing appreciation for the construction of two 430-bed hostels, she indicated that the University can currently accommodate only about 2,000 students on campus and appealed for further investment in hostels, lecture halls, road infrastructure and the completion of other stalled projects.
The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, assured the University that Government had taken note of its infrastructure needs. He announced that hostel facilities and an auditorium would be considered under the 2027 GETFund allocation and revealed plans to establish an additional UHAS campus in the Keta-Anloga area to focus on pharmacology and biomedical engineering. Construction of the new campus is expected to begin in 2027.
Following a tour of the facility, President Mahama expressed concern over the prolonged delay in completing the project, describing the 12-year construction period as unacceptable. He observed that the delays had significantly increased project costs and emphasized the importance of timely infrastructure delivery.
Despite the setbacks, the President described the laboratory complex as a strategic investment that would position UHAS as a centre of excellence for health sciences education, innovation and research in the sub-region. He particularly commended the inclusion of a state-of-the-art research laboratory comparable to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, noting its potential to strengthen Ghana's capacity for pathogen research, vaccine development and scientific collaboration.
President Mahama further pledged Government's continued support in addressing UHAS' infrastructure challenges through successive GETFund allocations, including the provision of additional hostels, lecture theatres and a library. He also assured the University that ongoing road projects in the area would be extended to improve the campus road network.
Expressing optimism about the future of the institution, the President said the necessary investments would enable UHAS to realize the vision of its founders and emerge as one of Africa's leading health sciences universities within the next four to five years.
The visit underscored Government's renewed commitment to expanding higher education infrastructure and strengthening Ghana's capacity for healthcare professional training, research and innovation.