VC Hands Over Five Acre Land to SRC and GRASAG for Students’ Hostel Project
UG Management has formally handed over five acres of land to the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) at the University to commence the construction of a jointly-owned hostel facility. This initiative will contribute significantly to the University’s intent to expand accommodation stock.
Speaking at a brief ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo applauded the SRC and GRASAG for embracing continuity in leadership through the establishment of development boards, which allowed the hostel project to progress beyond one-year student leadership cycles.
She pledged Management’s full support to the project and urged student leaders to engage professional expertise to ensure proper governance, noting that funds channelled through the University become public resources requiring accountability.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA), Professor Gordon Awandare, traced the initiative to 2021, when the SRC and GRASAG executives voluntarily agreed to levy students to support infrastructure development, with hostels as a priority. He described the students’ recent decision to pool their funds and independently begin construction as transformational and visionary.
The Acting Director of the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD), Mr. Peter Abalansa, confirmed that two acres had been allocated to the SRC and three acres to GRASAG, bringing the total to five acres. He presented site plans to the Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor for formal handover to the students.
On behalf of the student body, the SRC Vice-President, Mr. Jeffrey Adu-Yeboah, expressed gratitude to Management, noting that the initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration between students and Management. He stressed that the fund represents a legacy for future generations, with the potential to provide over 15,000 beds and modern learning facilities.
GRASAG President, Mr. Bright Amansiah Twerefuor, hailed the event as evidence of collaborative student leadership. He thanked UG Management and past student leaders for laying the foundation for such a milestone project.
Present at the brief ceremony were the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Rosina Kyerematen, former Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and currently Director of ISSER, Prof. Robert Darko Osei, members of the SRC and GRASAG Development Fund Boards, Heads of the various halls of residence and other members of the University community.
The hostel project, to be funded through the University of Ghana Student Development Fund, is expected to serve as a model of student-led infrastructure development across Africa.