China's support breathes new life into Ghana's university

The Chinese government has pumped 20 million U.S. dollars into basic infrastructure for one of the newest state universities in Ghana.

Established four years ago, the University for Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), based in Ho, the Volta regional capital, about 160km north-east of the national capital, now has well-developed start-up facilities at its main campus thanks to China's support.

The institution was created by the government to train a cadre of health professional physicians, nurses, midwives, and biomedical science specialists, among others.

At its inception, the university had five classrooms, which it used in turns for the various courses, a hostel for 50 students, and an office for six.

However, with the support from the Chinese government, the UHAS has put up modern facilities on a land area of 10,386.25 square meters.

The facilities, constructed by the Yanjian Group of China, comprise 11 buildings, parking lots, basketball courts and outdoor ancillary facilities.

Among the main structures are two storey buildings, lecture theaters, laboratory, library, activity and service centers, and an administration block. Other facilities under the project also include a student hostel and staff bungalows, as well as a water storage system that serves the main campus.

"The Chinese government's support was very timely and has enabled us to operate from modern university facilities," the Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Professor Fred Binka, told a team of journalists who visited the school recently.

He praised the the Chinese contractor for the quality job delivered to the school.

Zhao Wenbin, Ghana Country Manager for the Yanjian Group, expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support received from the university, the Ghanaian government and the locals during the construction period. Enditem