The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) on the 5th of August, 2025 launched its 5th anniversary Celebrations with the unveiling of the anniversary logo. The unveiling was led by the Vice-Chancellor’s representative, Dr. Emmanuel Newman, assisted by the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Adjei Awatey, and the Minister for Public Sector Reforms, Hon. Lydia Akanvoriba.
The colourful ceremony, held at the Auditorium, Multipurpose Building brought together government officials including development partners, the traditional leaders, the clergy, members of the University community was on the theme: Strategic Environmental Initiatives Towards Securing Ghana’s Environment—The Gateway for Sustainable Collective Action, Engagement, and Policy Making.” It was moderated by the Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong.
Address by Vice Chancellor
In an address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson recalled the University’s establishment in 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic, describing its founding as a strategic response to environmental and socio-economic challenges. He said, over five years, UESD has positioned itself as a leader in environmental sustainability, launching pioneering undergraduate and graduate programmes that align with national and global development priorities.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson highlighted UESD’s milestone rise to 20th place in the 2023 Webometrics University impact rankings in Ghana, the rollout of 27 Bachelor of Science programmes and three graduate programmes, and its recognition as Public University of the Year (2022/2023) by the National Union of Ghana Students and the launch of a five-year Strategic Plan in 2023 which has guided the University’s advancement in infrastructure, academic development, staff growth, and community engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor also celebrated UESD’s partnerships with more than 50 institutions and its involvement in major initiatives such as the Mastercard Foundation-funded Nkabom Collaborative Project, which aims to equip three million youth with dignified work. Community outreach efforts, including the Community-Based Experiential Learning (CoBEL) and the Community Development Challenge Awards, have extended UESD’s environmental mission into surrounding communities.
Notwithstanding the achievements, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the challenges facing the University. He noted infrastructure deficits, including the halted Phase II construction works due to funding issues, inadequate lecture halls and offices. He appealed for government support to resolve these constraints, emphasising their impact on student enrolment and service delivery.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson expressed confidence in UESD’s continued evolution. He outlined plans for deeper integration of sustainability in operations, expanded use of technology in education, green campus development, and stronger strategic partnerships. He urged the University community to reflect, recommit, and remain resilient as they build on the foundation laid over the past five years.
He expressed gratitude to the Government, the Ministry of Education, members of the University’s Governing Council, staff, students, institutional partners, and the Somanya community for their unwavering support. He gave special recognition to the members of the 5th Anniversary Planning Committee, chaired by Dr. Shine Francis Gbedemah, for their dedication and hard work in successfully organising the launch.
Address by Chairman of Governing Council
In his address delivered by Prof. Paul Dela Ahiatrogah, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon. Seth Terkper emphasised the sense of unity and shared purpose that has guided UESD’s development over the five-year period. He was impressed about the progress made by the University since the rollout of its first undergraduate programmes in the 2020/2021 academic year to the recent introduction of specialied graduate programmes. He described the students as UESD’s greatest legacy; future scientists, leaders, and change-makers who are already serving as ambassadors for environmental stewardship.
The Chairman recognised the important role of the University’s faculty in advancing impactful research, shaping policy, and contributing to practical solutions to pressing environmental challenges. He also highlighted UESD’s growing partnerships both locally and internationally as key to enriching knowledge exchange and collaborative learning.
He acknowledged the obstacles involved in starting a University from scratch. These include resource and staffing constraints, infrastructure development, and the need to adapt within a fast-evolving educational landscape. The Chairman also called for collective action to secure the resources needed for future growth, pledging Council’s commitment to engage government, development partners, the private sector, and philanthropists to support UESD’s mission.
Guest Speaker’Address
In his address, delivered on his behalf by Mrs. Patience Lartey, the Guest Speaker, Mr. Kwame Ntow Amoah, the acting Chief Executive Officer of GNPC extended heartfelt congratulations to the University’s leadership, faculty, and partners for five years of impactful contributions to research, education, and community development. He emphasised the importance of securing the environment in the face of rapid urbanisation, increasing resource demands, and global climate uncertainties, praising UESD’s leadership in helping Ghana answer these pressing questions through research, education, and action.
Highlighting GNPC’s evolving role in environmental sustainability, Mr. Amoah explained that the Corporation’s operations are now guided by a commitment to innovation, responsibility, and partnerships. GNPC integrates rigorous environmental standards across its activities, including biodiversity protection, water resource monitoring, flood reduction, and forest conservation. The corporation also supports grassroots sustainability initiatives through afforestation projects, coastal clean-up campaigns, and environmental education.
He assured the University community of GNPC’s readiness to partner with UESD in research, knowledge exchange, and talent development aligned with Ghana’s broader environmental and energy transition goals.
Address by Guest of Honour
The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey in her address described UESD’s five-year journey as a beacon of innovation, hope, and commitment to sustainability. She emphasized that the university’s establishment was a bold and strategic response by the Government of Ghana to the global environmental crisis and a testament to national priorities in sustainability, research, and skills development.
She lauded UESD’s evolution from its modest beginnings into a dynamic institution offering critical programmes in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, water resource management, and climate change. She noted that these fields are not only academic pursuits but essential building blocks for Ghana’s survival and prosperity. She highlighted the University’s role in nurturing students who are becoming the next generation of policymakers, scientists, and sustainability leaders.
The Regional Minister acknowledged UESD’s growing impact on the Region, describing it as a catalyst for social and economic development; attracting talent, driving demand for services, and enhancing cultural life. She emphasised the Regional Coordinating Council’s partnership with the University and expressed high expectations for research breakthroughs and practical solutions to regional and national environmental challenges.
Mrs. Awatey also recognised challenges, including infrastructure deficits, limited funding, and staffing constraints of the University, commended Management for navigating the hurdles and assured it of continued government support through collaborative efforts with key stakeholders. She congratulated the Vice-Chancellor, Council, Management staff members, and students on their contributions to UESD’s success and called on stakeholders to use the 5th anniversary as a moment for reflection, renewal, and recommitment to building a more sustainable and inclusive future for Ghana and the wider sub-region.
A series of activities have been lined up for the rest of the year to celebrate UESD’s journey. These include a float, public lectures, 2nd congregation ceremony, and a durbar in December to climax the event.
A message from UESD key partners for the 5th Anniversary, Dwumfour Foundation, by Dr. Michael Kwesi Dwumfour, which was delivered on his behalf noted that as proud collaborators of the University’s 5th Anniversary, they consider it a privilege to lead the implementation of the anniversary programme through extensive stakeholder engagement. The engagement spans the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, traditional authorities, corporate institutions, religious organisations, professional bodies, academia, and industry and in the quest for environmental restoration, their most powerful tool must be teamwork and unity.
By: Eric Smart Anumah