By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
President John Mahama has reaffirmed government’s commitment to transforming the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) into a leading centre for health research, innovation and vaccine development in Africa, following an inspection of the university’s newly completed state-of-the-art laboratory complex in Ho.
The President acknowledged that the laboratory project, which began in 2014, took 12 years to complete, resulting in increased costs due to the delays.
“If we had completed this project on time, we would have spent far less resources in bringing it to completion. But as they say, better late than never,” President Mahama said.
He described the completion of the facility as a major milestone in Ghana’s health research agenda, stressing that strong research infrastructure is essential for the growth of universities.
“Universities require strong research infrastructure, and laboratories are at the heart of that vision,” he noted.
President Mahama said the facility, which is one of the largest laboratory complexes in the sub-region, will enhance Ghana’s capacity for pathogen research, vaccine development and disease surveillance.
He was particularly pleased that the complex includes a laboratory dedicated to pathogen research and vaccine development, similar to the work undertaken at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
“This laboratory will work closely with the National Vaccine Institute and will contribute greatly to Ghana’s ability to conduct research into diseases, develop vaccines and strengthen our health security,” he said.
Reflecting on earlier vaccine research efforts in the Volta Region, President Mahama said the country has now reached a stage where advanced scientific facilities are being established to support research and innovation.
“Today, we have reached a point where we are building advanced research facilities in the same region to study pathogens and contribute to vaccine development,” he said.
He expressed government’s determination to support UHAS to achieve its founding vision of becoming a world-class health sciences university.
“We want UHAS to become a university that is strong in innovation, research and the development of solutions that respond to the needs of Ghana and Africa,” President Mahama stated.
The President assured the university community that government would gradually address outstanding infrastructure needs, including additional student hostels, lecture complexes and a modern library facility.
He explained that government has restructured the GETFund arrangements and removed the cap on the fund to allow more resources to support priority projects in educational institutions.
“Going forward, the needs of UHAS will be addressed year by year, and every funding formula will capture important requirements of this university,” he assured.
President Mahama also announced plans to improve roads within the UHAS campus, saying government is assessing the internal road network and will explore extending the ongoing UHAS Bypass project to cover campus roads.
He expressed confidence that over the next four to five years, many of the university’s infrastructure challenges would be addressed.
“Our objective is to ensure that UHAS has the infrastructure required to support teaching, research, innovation and the overall development of a world-class university,” he said.
President Mahama paid tribute to the late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, whose vision led to the establishment of UHAS, saying the institution must continue to grow into the centre of excellence envisioned by its founder.
“We want Professor John Evans Atta Mills to rest well knowing that the university he envisioned has become one of the best not only in Ghana but across the African continent,” he added.
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