University for Allied Health Science to take off in September 2012

Mr. Lee Ocran, Minister of Education on Thursday said the University for Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta region would take off in September 2012 with the admission of about 200 students into various schools and programmes.

He said this would take place when the structures and other arrangements have been put in place.

Mr. Ocran said this when answering questions on the floor of Parliament.

He said the University will start operations from the Regional Hospital in Ho, where incubator facilities (Offices for Key staff. Lecture rooms, a Library and a Hostel) were almost completed and also at the School of Nursing and Hygiene (Lecture rooms, laboratories, and housing) facilities on the Ho-Aflao road, where some of the facilities were almost ready for occupation.

The remaining facilities would be completed in time for use by September.

There are also housing facilities at the medical village near the regional hospital, additionally, two regional administration guest houses have been renovated for use by the Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor.

He said arrangements were far advanced to rent additional facilities from private individuals.

The Minister said the University campus in Hohoe would soon start after being provided space by the Oncocerchiasis Unit and the Midwifery School of the Ministry of Health at Hohoe.

Work has started at the permanent site of the University at Sokode Lokoe, with the development of a draft master plan for the campus, clearing of the access road to the site and soil tests by the Chinese contractors for the construction of the faculty building to start.

He said the university when fully established will have about 11 schools and institutions, and to ensure the smooth and early take-off of the university, the government established the interim council in February, 2012 chaired by Professor Kofi Anyidoho with other key members.

The council has since its inception recruited key officers for the University; Professor Fred Binka, as Ag. Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwame Wiredu as Pro-Vice Chancellor, as well as the Registrar; Director of Finance, Director of Works and Physical development; University Librarian, Director of Internal Audit, and Chief Information and Technology Officer, Mr. Ocran added.

He said Deans have been recruited and appointed for the following schools, Basic and Biomedical sciences, medical, nursing, and midwifery.

Professors Wiredu and Binka will also act as Deans for the school of Allied Health Sciences and Public Health respectively in the short term.**