By Edward Williams
Hohoe (V/R), Jan 17, GNA – Mr Prosper Kumi, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has held a stakeholder meeting in ensuring the operationalisation of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) permanent campus at Fodome Helu in the Hohoe Municipality.
The meeting provided the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to ensure meaningful development to enable students to transition to the permanent site.
Mr Kumi noted that education remained a key priority since assuming office and gave assurance of being committed to supporting the growth of tertiary institutions within the Municipality.
He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for the work done so far on the UHAS Hohoe Campus project.
Mr Kumi said he was satisfied with the fruitful deliberations and pledged to make significant progress on infrastructural development on the UHAS Fodome Site before the next general elections in 2028.
Professor Kodzo Gavua, Chairman of the University Council, appealed to the Assembly to consider allocating part of its internally generated funds to support the University to demonstrate its commitment towards the University.
He called on all stakeholders to advocate for the development of the Fodome Site and called on private investors and government agencies to invest in student accommodation for the use of the University.
Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of UHAS, expressed appreciation to the MCE for initiating the engagement which was the first of its kind concerning developments at the Fodome Site.
Professor Frank Baiden, Dean of UHAS Fred N. Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH), noted that the prospects of the University were being constrained by inadequate lecture halls and student accommodation due to the slow pace of work at the main site of the Campus at Fodome.
Madam Ruth Xorla Ayitey, Director of UHAS Works and Physical Development, noted that measures were taken to expand lecture rooms at the incubating site of the FNBSPH to accommodate increasing student numbers.
She said the poor condition of existing student hostels and other facilities posed safety challenges to students, staff and the public.
Madam Ayitey noted that work on the 12-year ongoing Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) project was progressing sturdily however the contract was undergoing a rate-review which ought to be fast-tracked to enable the contractor to complete the work and hand-over within the next 12 months.
Dr Kenneth Ahorsu, Fodome Traditional Area’s Focal Person on Education, recounted the contributions of Volta intellectuals, both at home and abroad. towards the establishment of UHAS and pledged to continue making efforts towards the development of the Hohoe Campus.
Togbe Buami IX, the representative of the Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, Togbega Gabusu VII, commended all stakeholders for their commitment towards the development of the UHAS Hohoe Campus.
He urged them to persevere towards achieving the goal and aspiration of operationalising university work at the Fodome Site within the next 12 to 24 months.
Togbe Adze II, the representative of the Paramount Chief of Fodome Traditional Area, Togbega Gbedegbleme Akpatsa II, assured all stakeholders of the total cooperation of the Area in ensuring that the Site became a reality.
The stakeholders appealed to government through the MCE to make tangible commitments at the main site of the campus to enable university operations to commence at the site within a year or two.
It was agreed at the meeting that a substantive Joint UHAS Hohoe Campus Development Stakeholders Committee be put in place for a sustained commitment towards the development of the main site of the UHAS Hohoe Campus at Fodome-Helu.
It would be a collaborative effort between the UHAS Management, the government, the Hohoe Municipal Assembly and the Gbi and Fodome Traditional Areas.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah