Moves to relocate Environmental University campus spark controversy

Moves to relocate the campus of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development from Donkorkrom to Bunso by government appear to have sparked controversy in the Eastern region.

A speech read on behalf of the President by Prof. Gyan Barfuor, Minister for Planning during the 23rd National Best Teachers and 3rd Best School Awards ceremony held in the Eastern regional Capital, Koforidua, stated that government is committed to expanding access to Tertiary Education indicating that the University of Environment and Sustainable Development would have its campus in Bonsu and Somanya instead of Donkorkrom.

“Expansion of access to tertiary Education, for Instance, the Somanya and the Bunso Campuses of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development,” parts of the President’s statement said.

This contradicts the initial plan of the University which was expected to have its main campus in Somanya and a second campus in Donkorkrom in Afram Plains North.

It is not clear if the campus of the already existing private University, the University of Environment and Agriculture established by the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin at Bonsu will become the campus of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Proposal by the past government to establish the University in Somanya with campus in Afram Plains was kicked against by some key figures in the current government, particularly the Minister of Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea, who is also the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, who is on record to have said that Akyem Abuakwa was better deserving of the campus than Somanya.

Former President John Dramani Mahama on December 29, 2016, cut sod for the construction of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development at Somanya, in the Eastern Region at the cost of 45 million Pounds Sterling.

The President mentioned that Parliament had approved the contract for the construction of the modern university, which would offer degree programmes in environmental studies, climate change, urban development, Water Resources Development, Energy Sustainability, Energy Economics and Agriculture.

The University is to have four undergraduate Schools – the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, the School of Sustainable Development, the School of Agriculture and Agriculture Entrepreneurship and the School of the Built Environment.