The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, has reiterated her administration’s commitment to tackling student housing challenges with the official inauguration of the newly constructed Diamond Jubilee Hall, a modern facility designed to offer affordable and comfortable accommodation for over 1,200 students.
The 448-room hostel was built under the supervision of the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD), in collaboration with a private consultancy team led by Dr. George Menz.
Speaking at the commissioning event on January 30, 2025, Prof. Amfo reaffirmed her administration’s focus on implementing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to address the university’s housing needs.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of the University of Ghana as we inaugurate the Diamond Jubilee Hall. This remarkable project stands as a testament to our collective commitment to providing innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions to the pressing issue of student accommodation.”
“The operationalization of this facility is directly aligned with our first strategic priority, which is to enhance the transformative student experience.”

The Vice-Chancellor further announced that the Diamond Jubilee Hall is now officially open and ready to accommodate students. She assured the university community that management would soon release guidelines on how students can secure a place in the newly commissioned hostel.
“In the coming days, you will be duly informed of the modalities for securing a bed. We could have done this earlier, but I did not want a situation where we commission this facility, only for it to take several months before being put to use. The University Management has given approval for the Diamond Jubilee Hall to be jointly managed by UGEL and PDMSD.”
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Acting Director of PDMSD, Peter Abalansah expressed pride in successfully delivering a fully functional, modern hostel facility while significantly cutting down costs.
He revealed that strategic measures were taken to reduce the initial budget of GHC 120 million to approximately GHC 55 million.
“The initial estimated cost for this project was around GHC 120 million, but through strategic cost-cutting measures, we have successfully completed it at about GHC 55 million. One of the major strategies we implemented was sourcing materials directly from manufacturers rather than purchasing from retailers. This approach allowed us to acquire building materials at factory prices, significantly reducing overall expenses.”

The GHC 55 million Diamond Jubilee Hall features 448 fully furnished rooms, consisting of 264 double-occupancy rooms and 184 four-person rooms. Each room is equipped with study desks, comfortable bedding, ceiling fans for ventilation, and shared washrooms.
The facility also offers kitchens, reading rooms, and TV lounges, providing an ideal environment for both academic pursuits and relaxation.
In addition to these living spaces, the hostel includes a range of essential amenities, such as a maintenance unit, a spacious laundry bay, JCR tutorial and executive offices to support student leadership, and eateries and shops to improve convenience and enhance student life on campus.
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Story by: Gabriel A. Asiedu | univers.ug.edu.gh