Head of the Teaching and Examination Unit at the University of Ghana, Frederick Yourkuu, has defended the conduct of the College of Health Sciences’ computer-based entrance examination, assuring applicants that measures were put in place to ensure a fair and efficient admission process.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive on Radio Univers, he said personnel were stationed at the examination centres around the clock to assist candidates who encountered difficulties during the exercise.
His comments follow concerns raised by some applicants over challenges they experienced during the entrance examination, which was held from Monday, August 4 to Friday, August 8, 2026.
Mr. Yourkuu acknowledged that technical difficulties affected the start of the first batch on the opening day but explained that the issues were promptly resolved.
“We did not want to open the exams until 7:30 on the start day, that was a Monday. So when we went to publish the exams, there were some technical challenges, so we had to work on the technical challenges and then later we were able to rectify that,” he said.
According to him, the delay did not deprive candidates of the opportunity to complete the examination, as sufficient time was provided for affected students.
“The students were still given enough time. It was just that it added to the 9:30 batch, but eventually people finished, we brought in others and then we were able to run this examination very smoothly,” he added.
He explained that the University deliberately adopted a computer-based examination to reduce reliance on manual processes and minimise human intervention in what is a highly competitive admission exercise.
“It is a challenge because we’re trying to take out human interventions in these things. This is a very competitive examination. It is just because we are not used to change or we don’t like change sometimes when there is a change then, you know, it becomes a problem,” he explained.
Mr. Yourkuu also dismissed concerns that the University’s admission process could disadvantage applicants from less-endowed schools.
He said the University has a policy for applicants from less-endowed schools and has undertaken outreach programmes across the country to help prospective students understand how to apply and avoid mistakes during the admission process.
“There were times that the university went to every region to do outreach, not necessarily to advertise our programs but to take applicants through how to apply because when you are in that and you see some of the mistakes that people make, it can be so, so, so disturbing.”
He maintained that the University remains committed to merit-based admissions and would not discriminate against applicants based on their educational background, further stressing that the University would not compromise its admission procedures because it receives a large number of applications.
“This is a public university and if you deserve it, regardless of where you come from you should be able to get in. There are times that some of the programs don’t even get the number of people that they want, so the university is not going to undermine the processes of admitting people and they are not going to treat people unfairly because we think no matter what we are going to get people.”
The College of Health Sciences conducted the entrance examination as part of its admission requirements for prospective students seeking entry into its various health-related programmes for the 2026/2027 academic year.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom | univers.ug.edu.gh
