Akufo-Addo inaugurates $60m UHAS Phase II, Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

The inauguration of the Phase II expansion project at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) marks a significant advancement in healthcare education in Ghana.

With a generous $60 million grant from the Chinese government, the UHAS campus in Ho, Volta Region, is set to enhance its capacity to train a larger cohort of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health practitioners.
This expansion underscores the importance of international cooperation in educational development and addresses the critical need for a robust healthcare workforce in Ghana.
The expansion project, undertaken by Nantong Sijian Construction Group, is poised to equip UHAS with state-of-the-art facilities and resources essential for comprehensive education and practical training. This development follows the successful completion of the first phase of construction, also funded by the Chinese government at a cost of $30 million.
The initial phase, completed and handed over in September 2015, covered a significant land area and included lecture halls, libraries, staff residential areas, and student hostels. This foundational work set the stage for the current expansion, which will further elevate the university’s infrastructure and educational capabilities.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s commissioning of the project underscores its crucial role in addressing the growing healthcare needs of Ghana’s population.
The President highlighted the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Ministers for Education and Finance, UHAS management, and the then Vice-Chancellor Professor John Owusu Gyapong, in securing the necessary funding. This collaboration exemplifies how coordinated efforts can lead to substantial improvements in educational infrastructure.
The contribution of the Chinese government to this project not only bolsters Ghana’s healthcare education but also strengthens bilateral relations between the two nations.

The outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Lu Kun, his predecessor, the late Ambassador Her Excellency Sun Baohong, and Ghana’s former Ambassador to China, Ambassador Edward Boateng, deserve commendation for their roles in facilitating this vital support.
The bilateral cooperation reflected in this project sets a commendable precedent for future educational and infrastructural collaborations.
In addition to the infrastructural developments, President Akufo-Addo’s personal donation of ten desktop computers and ten laptops to UHAS aims to enhance the university’s administrative and educational capabilities.
Such contributions, though seemingly small in comparison to the overall project, play a critical role in improving day-to-day operations and the quality of education provided.
The new facilities funded by the grant, including a central administration block for the College of Nursing and Midwifery, a duty and equipment room, and various supporting amenities, cover a total land area of 29,200 square meters.
This comprehensive development ensures that UHAS is well-equipped to offer top-tier education and training, thereby producing highly skilled healthcare professionals ready to meet the demands of Ghana’s healthcare sector.
The UHAS Phase II expansion project represents a significant leap forward in the quest to improve healthcare education in Ghana.
By providing advanced training facilities and resources, this project will undoubtedly contribute to the production of a skilled healthcare workforce capable of addressing the nation’s healthcare challenges.
It is imperative to continue fostering international partnerships and investing in educational infrastructure to secure a healthier future for all Ghanaians.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has received the prestigious symbol of an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).

The award was conferred on the President at an exclusive congregation held at the commissioning of the second phase development of the University’s main campus in Ho, a $60 million project facilitated by the President.
The project is set to facilitate the expansion at the health-focused university, established by Parliamentary Act 828 in 2011. Justice Mr. Victor Jones Mawulorm Dotse, Chairman of the University Governing Council, constituted the special congregation and mentioned the President’s bond with the university, recounting numerous visits to the institution to share its glory and challenges.
The President had cut the sod for the China Aid Phase Two in September 2021, and the Council Chairman noted how he continued to support the project through to completion. “UHAS is determined to be a star in health education, and your constant interest in us gives us the zeal to pursue this great vision,” he said. The Council Chairman appreciated the support of all who contributed towards the project’s realization, including past leaders of the university, traditional rulers, and the people of the Ho Municipality.
Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice Chancellor, stated the broad impact of the campus expansion project, which would facilitate the admission of over 2,000 more students. A citation for the President read by Mrs. Yaa Opuni Amankwa, the Registrar of the University, chronicled the numerous achievements and international recognition for his work as a statesman dedicated to the development of democracy. His sterling dedication to holistic education development, with the 2017 Free Senior High School Policy, was also touted as an unmatched feat, which eliminated the cost of secondary school education and provided access to millions of youths.
“Today, the University of Health and Allied Sciences is set to confer on you the Honorary Doctor of Science for your exemplary leadership in making science education more accessible to Ghanaian families,” she said. The special congregation was attended by dignitaries from the nation’s political and academic classes, and the President was accompanied by officials, including Ministers, Members of Parliament, and heads of institutions. Former heads of the university were also present, as were traditional leaders in the region, led by Togbe Tepre Hodo, the President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs.
Prof. Lydia Aziato, together with the Council Chairman, adorned the President in the graduating gown and presented him with a certificate and citation to the loud applause of the packed Cedi Auditorium of the University. President Akufo-Addo, in his speech, said, “This latest honour is not just a personal achievement but the collective efforts of achievements of my administration and the efforts of every Ghanaian who supported the Free SHS.” He spoke of how the Free SHS had become “a transformative milestone in Ghana’s education journey,” saying 5.7 million Ghanaians have benefited since its implementation in 2017.
President Akufo-Addo reiterated his “strong commitment to STEM education in the country and emphasized the heavy investment in healthcare infrastructure, of which the development of the premier health training institution played a strategic role.” He said the completion of the Phase II campus of the university symbolized the growth of bilateral relations between Ghana and China and assured the needed support to the university. “I will continue to engage the highest interest of the university,” he said, and donated ten laptops and desktop computers to support the university administration.
President Akufo-Addo proceeded to commission the new campus development and officially opened it for use. The project provides 29,200 square meters of academic and administrative space that encompasses the UHAS School of Nursing and Midwifery, touted as one of the largest in Africa. It also includes the central administration block of the university and provides a lecture hall complex for 2,500 students. There is also a state-of-the-art simulation center with all the necessary facilities to aid practical health education.