The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum on Tuesday commissioned a 1664-bed capacity hostel facility on the UPSA campus.
The newly constructed 10-storey hostel was financed through the University’s internally generated funds. It has been named after the designer of Ghana’s Coat of Arms, Nii Amon Kotei.
The ultra-modern hostel has facilities such as a recreational area, study/reading rooms, Junior Common Rooms (JCR), a laundry area, TV rooms, automated teller machines (ATM), a modern security system, CCTV cameras, an elevator, and other auxiliary amenities.
Dr Yaw Adutwum, speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, stated that the government recognises UPSA’s vision and tenacity in providing infrastructural development for its growing student population and faculty, as well as its zeal for continuous improvement.
He stressed that the government is aware of the infrastructural deficit in Ghana’s educational sector.
He pointed out that although the government was doing its part by investing heavily in education, it would still rely on institutions such as UPSA and the private sector for partnership to ensure quality and universal access to education.
“In an era where the Free Senior High School [policy] continues to churn out large numbers of high school graduates, it has become very challenging for qualified graduates to be admitted to various tertiary institutions due to limited infrastructure and resources,” the minister said.
“Government has recognised sustainable growth over the years in UPSA. This growth has been rewarded with increased student enrolment and your market-driven programmes worthy of the job markets.
“UPSA has [also] been consistent in the expansion and continuous improvement in providing teaching and learning as well as accommodation facilities to give students a memorable experience on campus.
“This institution’s progressive and resilient nature in funding these projects is worthy of being emulated by all tertiary institutions in Ghana, [and] I hope that many more public and private universities will emulate your example by adding to their infrastructure without relying solely on government,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Prof Abednego F. O. Amartey appealed to the government to support the infrastructural efforts of the University by constructing a drainage system and providing street lights around the hostel.
“This is to keep the students safe and to protect our community from rain and other drain-related issues,” he explained.
Prof Amartey disclosed that funding the construction of the hostel, together with other infrastructural developments, with the University’s internally generated funds, is a demonstration of UPSA’s commitment to self-sustenance and the Ghana beyond aid agenda espoused and championed by the President of the Republic.
“Today, our collective efforts have been crystallised into what this edifice represents,” he said.
He charged the students and managers of the hostel to put the facility to good use while ensuring the conservation of energy.
For his part, the chairman of the governing council of UPSA, Dr Kofi Ohene-Konadu, thanked the President of the Republic for his personal intervention in securing the land and the necessary clearance from the appropriate ministry for the construction of the hostel.
