President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned the Phase II expansion project of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) on Monday, 29th July 2024, emphasizing the importance of this development for Ghana’s healthcare sector.
Looking back on the project’s progress, President Akufo-Addo mentioned the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II that took place on September 10, 2021. He recognized the necessity for further infrastructure development at UHAS to effectively carry out its mission. With his guidance, the Ministers for Education and Finance, alongside UHAS management and the former Vice Chancellor Professor John Owusu Gyapong, secured $60 million in funding from the Chinese Government.
The President expressed his gratitude to the President, Government, and People of the People’s Republic of China for their support, strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. He also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Lu Kun, and his predecessor, the late Ambassador Her Excellency Sun Bahong, as well as the efforts of the contractors, Nantong Sijian Construction Group, and Ghana’s former Ambassador to China, Ambassador Edward Boateng.
The completion of Phase II will significantly increase UHAS’s capacity to educate more healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health practitioners. This expansion is crucial to meet the growing healthcare needs of Ghana’s population and the demand for a skilled workforce. With added facilities and resources, UHAS will be better equipped to provide comprehensive education and hands-on training, preparing graduates for the challenges of the healthcare sector.
Furthermore, the new facilities will support cutting-edge research and innovation, enabling scientists and researchers to explore new advancements in medicine and healthcare delivery. This progress is essential for developing solutions to health challenges relevant to the local context and positioning Ghana as a leader in health research in Africa.
To commemorate this special occasion, President Akufo-Addo announced a personal donation of ten desktop computers and ten laptops to UHAS. These devices will assist in administration and enhance the university’s ability to deliver quality education and services.
The President also took the opportunity to express his deep appreciation to the outgoing Chairperson of the University Council, the esteemed former Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse, for his outstanding leadership and contributions over the past six years. He wished Mr. Dotse blessings and success in his future pursuits.
The commissioning of the Phase II expansion project signifies a significant step in UHAS’s journey towards becoming a leading institution for health education and research in Ghana and beyond.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.