President Nana Addo DankwaAkufo-Addo on Friday cut the sod for the construction of the second phase of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) campus in Ho.
The event formed part of the activities of his one-day tour of the Volta Region.
Funded by the Chinese Government with 438.06 million Chinese yuan, the project would be completed in 2024.
The project once completed, would increase students population from the current 6,000 to about 10,000.
The project entails the construction of the University’s Administration Block, the School of Nursing and Midwifery with lecture halls, skills laboratories, a library and offices.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony,held at the main campus of the university, President Akufo-Addo noted that his administration was keen to facilitate the training of more health professionals for national development.
“As government expands the infrastructure of UHAS, it is expected that more qualified health professionals would be turned out,” he said.
The President said UHAS remained as one of the critical health institutions in the country and should be given the needed attention for it to achieve its goals.
He commended the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Lu Kun, for his commitment and support in making sure that the second phase of the project become a reality.
According to him, the bond of mutual and economic relations between Ghana and China would continue for the benefit of the two countries.
He commended the university management, lecturers and workers for their hardwork and commitment towards the growth of the university.
“Government would forever be grateful to them,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Rev NtimFodjour, noted that the government would continue to expand infrastructure in tertiary institutions as a testimony to its commitment to the health sector and the wellbeing of its citizens.
The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, for his part, said in September 2015,the phase one project of the university, also funded by the Chinese government, was officially handed over to the Government of Ghana.
“As a country,we believe that education and medical care are areas that are critical to the development of every nation.Therefore the Chinese government would continue to partner and assist in constructing the second phase of this university,” he said.
Mr Lu noted that Nantong Si Jian Construction Group Co Limited would execute a quality job to the satisfaction of the two countries.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor John OwusuGyapong, thanked the government and itsChinese counterpart for their interest in the development of UHAS.
He said UHAS was determined to be the star in tertiary education in the country, adding that the constant interest of the government to improve infrastructure fuelled the zeal to push the agenda to provide quality health manpower to solve the country’s health needs.
FROM KAFUI GATI, HO
