Accra, July 30, GNA - Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana (UG), on Friday inaugurated science laboratory equipment for three departments to help improve academic performance.

In addition a residential facility was inaugurated to ease student accommodation problems on campus.

Prof. Tagoe said the authorities sourced funding to replenish the laboratories of Physics, Chemistry and Agricultural Departments with modern scientific equipment estimated at over six million euros (about nine million dollars).

It is to improve teaching and learning of the sciences, which had not been given much attention over the years.

Prof. Tagoe said that the authorities would ensure that the student population in the sciences is increases to at least 60 per cent.

"This; would propel Ghana to achieve her goal of becoming a middle income status through the application of science and technology," he added.

Prof. Tagoe later inaugurated a 1,824 bed student's accommodation facility and commended the contractor for completing the project on schedule.

He asked other contractors to work hard to complete their contracts by October to enable the University acquire accommodation for about 7,800 students on campus.

On the financing, Prof. Tagoe said in 2007, the authorities negotiated for a GH¢50 million loan facility from CAL Bank, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank Ghana, SG-SSB, Agricultural Development Bank and International Commercial Bank.

He said that the loan was for the construction of four separate four-storey students' hostels expected to accommodate about 1,600 students in each block.

Prof. Tagoe also inaugurated an office complex for the University of Ghana Alumni, and called for the registration of new members to help raise enough funds for programmes and projects for the University.