The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, has called for an end to the encroachment by some individuals on lands belonging to the University.
He explained that the level of encroachment was affecting the future expansion of the institution.
He, therefore, called for support from all stakeholders to protect the lands acquired by the state for the establishment of the University.
Prof. Boampong made the call in an interaction with the media after members of the governing council of UCC had completed a tour of some sites encroached on by private developers.
The inspection of the University’s lands was to enable members of the governing council assess the extent of encroachment.
The team visited the boundaries of the institution with its neighbouring communities namely; Akotokyir, Ankaful, Apewosika, Kwaprow and Kakomdo.
The tour enabled members of the governing council of UCC to take a definite position on the protection of lands belonging to the institution.
During the inspection, it was established that some of the pillars indicating the demarcation of UCC lands had been removed and developers were putting up structures on the university’s lands.
A number of students were also living in some hostels which were originally demarcated as lands acquired for the establishment of the University.
Prof. Boampong further stated that places that the University had allocated for the construction of a teaching hospital had also been encroached on.
He explained that the University had a future and said the economy of Cape Coast and the Central Region depended on the institution.
The total work force of the institution, he said, was over 5000 with estimated number of students being over 65,000
For his part, Head of Architectural Encroachment Unit, Amankwaa Twumasi, also explained that the University had taken a number of measures comprising the mounting of huge pillars and building of fence walls to prevent the encroachment.
Additionally, he said legal actions had been taken against some private developers who trespassed on the University’s lands.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, CAPE COAST
