The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has reaffirmed her management’s commitment to addressing accommodation challenges on campus and improving students’ academic experience.
Speaking at the Day 1 session of the February 2025 Congregation, she emphasized her management’s continuous efforts to increase residential capacity and provide a supportive learning environment.
Acknowledging the longstanding accommodation issues, she cited the recent commissioning of the Diamond Jubilee Hall, which was completed two weeks ago using internally generated funds. The new facility, which houses 1,256 students, operates under the university’s randomized bed allocation system.
Professor Amfo also highlighted ongoing projects aimed at expanding residential facilities, including the construction of a PhD Hostel and the Ghana University Staff Superannuation Scheme Students’ Hostel.
“Our goal is to create a comfortable and supportive environment that fosters academic success and personal growth. We recognize the challenges associated with student accommodation, especially as yearly admissions exceed available bed spaces. The completion of the Diamond Jubilee Hall is a step towards addressing this issue, alongside other ongoing projects aimed at increasing capacity.”
Beyond infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor underscored the university’s commitment to global impact, citing its latest rankings as proof of significant progress.
“We continue to advance our mission of making a global impact through innovative research, teaching, and learning, driven by technology and a people-centered approach. Our recent ranking in the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan rankings reflects this progress—we are now ranked first in Ghana, first in West Africa, and fifth in Sub-Saharan Africa, a remarkable improvement from the previous year.”
On student admissions, Professor Amfo noted that gender equity had been achieved, with a slightly higher number of female students. She provided statistics on enrollment and encouraged prospective students to explore distance education and other study options available at the Kumasi and Takoradi City campuses.
“For the 2024–2025 academic year, 17,473 undergraduate students have accepted admission offers and enrolled across our colleges and campuses, comprising 53.4% females and 46.6% males. Admissions for distance education programs, as well as at the Kumasi and Takoradi City campuses, are still ongoing, and I encourage students, parents, and guardians to consider these options. At the graduate level, 4,523 students have enrolled, with 47.51% being female and 52.49% male. Overall, when combining undergraduate and graduate admissions, we have achieved gender parity, with slightly more female students.”
She also highlighted improvements in the university’s online learning platforms, including enhancements to the Sakai Learning Management System and the UG Library System, which have been upgraded to offer better access to academic resources.
“We have made significant strides in enhancing our online learning platforms. The Sakai Learning Management System has been upgraded with new features, improving the experience for both faculty and students. Similarly, the UG Library System has been enhanced, increasing access to intellectual resources on the UG Space platform.”
These efforts, she concluded, are part of the university’s broader strategy to improve student learning, enhance academic resources, and maintain a strong global presence.
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Story by: Wilhemina Naa Momo Nii-Moi | univers.ug.edu.gh
