The government is to construct two additional hostels for the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya, Eastern Region, under the GETFund project. The facilities, designated for male and female students, will be situated at the hostel site on the University campus.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Rita Adjei Awatey, announced this during a meeting in the University’s Council Chamber with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson; the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah; the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong; and other senior members of the University. She was accompanied by representatives from the two contracting firms—Paul-Pet Company Ltd and Dharmar Consult—as well as their consultants.
Hon. Mrs. Awatey stated that the construction of the hostels forms part of the government’s commitment to promoting quality education and improving infrastructure at tertiary institutions. She reiterated the government’s determination to enhance the image and capacity of UESD.
The Regional Minister commended the University Council Chairman, Hon. Seth Terkper, for his role in facilitating the project and ensuring that UESD benefited from it. She urged the contractors to engage local workers from the surrounding communities and to strictly adhere to safety standards, both on site and within the host communities.
According to the Minister, the visit was to formally inform the University’s management about the project and to introduce the contractors and consultants. She added that official letters of engagement would be issued by the end of November, to be followed by a groundbreaking ceremony.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson, expressed his excitement about the project, describing it as a significant milestone in the University’s development. He recounted the challenges the University had faced with previous contractors and appealed to the new ones to collaborate closely with Management to ensure quality delivery. He also briefed the gathering on the University’s progress since its establishment in 2021, noting that UESD currently operates two Schools— the School of Sustainable Development (SSD) and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES)—offering 27 accredited undergraduate and three postgraduate programmes.
The Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong, also expressed her delight about the development. She noted that the new hostels would not only improve accommodation for students but also contribute to the growth of the University and the Krobo area. She commended the Regional Minister for her efforts in supporting UESD, describing the institution as “the University of the future.”
As part of her visit, the Regional Minister toured the University’s science laboratory block, where a five-week training session under the government’s flagship programme, Adwumawura, was ongoing through the UESD Innovation Hub. She interacted with the trainees and encouraged them to take the programme seriously.
Hon. Mrs. Adjei also made a stop at the University’s sports field, where the 28th Inter-University Cross-Country and Minor Games were underway, and shared words of encouragement with the participating athletes. The team later visited the proposed site for the construction of the hostels.