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The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has conferred a Honorary Doctorate Degree in Science on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, at a special congregation on the main campus of the university at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho, in the Volta Region.
The Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Prof. Lydia Aziato, said the honour bestowed on the President was in recognition of his relentless commitment to the infrastructural development of the university, coupled with his exemplary leadership in making science education more accessible to the citizenry through the Free Senior High School policy.
She said it was also in acknowledgement of Nana Akufo-Addo’s prioritisation of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and his role in the completion of the $60m UHAS-China Phase II expansion project on the campus.
The project includes the construction of the central administration complex, the largest nursing and midwifery school in West Africa, and a fully equipped state-of-the-art simulation centre.The VC said at the moment, student enrolment in the university was 8,240, adding that “this is expected to exceed 9,000 with new admissions in August this year,” she said.
Prof. Aziato, however, mentioned hostel facilities for students, staff accommodation, the construction of a 5.3 kilometre internal roads, and the completion of work on a laboratory complex at the Fodome campus, as some of the university’s crucial needs.
The Chairman of UHAS Council, Justice Victor J.M. Dotse, said despite the challenges faced by the university, it was making giant strides. He said the university had produced 8,915 health professionals over the years.
The chairman described the cordial ties between UHAS and the chiefs of Sokode, who are the landowners, and the amicable relations with neighbouring Adaklu Kodzobi, coupled with the support of the chiefs and people of Asogli, as gratifying.
President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to UHAS for the honour done him. “This is not only a personal achievement, but also evidence of my government’s achievements in the education sector,” he added.
The President said that UHAS was dear to the government because education was invariably the bedrock of development, and that science education in particular was crucial for economic growth.
He said some 5.7 million students now had access to education as a result of the Free SHS policy, adding that the policy was not only about increasing the number of students in classrooms, but also providing them with quality education.
President Akufo-Addo further said that the government was aware of the challenges faced by UHAS, and gave an assurance that more resources would be committed towards addressing those bottlenecks.
He made a personal donation of 10 desktop computers and 10 laptop computers to the university. Later, the President inaugurated the UHAS-China Phase II facility amid pomp and celebration.
The University of Health and Allied Sciences has honoured President Akufo-Addo for the government’s support to the university and the education sector in general.
Caption:
Pix: 1. 2. A section of the newly completed UHAS-China Phase II project
