Somanya: President John Dramani Mahama, during his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Eastern Region, inspected ongoing students' hostel projects at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya. Of the 1,599 students' population of the university, only 70 of them are currently resident on campus. The two hostel projects, when complete, will accommodate over 1,200 students.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President also inspected two additional students' hostels at the university, which were at the foundation level. President Mahama stated that building hostel facilities was part of the government's programme to improve teaching and learning in all the nation's tertiary institutions. Emphasizing the need for on-campus accommodation, he noted, "We have a situation where the student numbers are increasing. And it's always, you get the best outcome when the students are in situ in the tertiary institution."
He further remarked, "Because then there it makes teaching and learning easier and safer for the students. And so, I'm happy that this project is coming up well." President Mahama highlighted the importance of comfortable living spaces for students to facilitate their concentration and learning, urging for the timely completion of the projects and commending the quality of work.
Reflecting on the university's origin, he shared, "This university is our baby. And I remember that it was one of my last actions as President to cut a sod for the start of this University. I'm impressed with how far we've come, and I can assure you that we will look at the additional facilities that you need so that we can establish it properly."
President Mahama also mentioned plans for expanding the university's reach, explaining that when the University for Environment and Sustainable Development was established, there were intentions to create another campus at Donkorkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District. However, this was eventually brought to Bonsu, creating the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences. He emphasized the need to focus on expanding the programmes at UESD in Somanya to align with the university's mission and name.