President Mahama Inspects UHAS Laboratory Complex, Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Health Research Infrastructure

President John Dramani Mahama has inspected the Multi-Purpose Laboratory Complex at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), describing the facility as a major investment that will strengthen Ghana’s health research, scientific innovation, and vaccine development efforts.

The visit formed part of the President’s two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Volta Region and his inspection of strategic national infrastructure projects aimed at improving tertiary education and research capacity.

During the visit, President Mahama noted that construction of the laboratory complex began in 2014 but had experienced significant delays over the years. He expressed concern that prolonged implementation periods increase project costs and stressed the importance of completing public infrastructure projects within their scheduled timelines.

Despite the delays, the President described the laboratory complex as a strategic national asset capable of positioning UHAS as one of Africa’s leading centres for health sciences education, research, and innovation.

He highlighted the facility’s advanced laboratories, particularly its pathogen research and vaccine development capabilities, which he said would complement the work of the National Vaccine Institute and strengthen Ghana’s ability to develop local solutions to public health challenges.

President Mahama reaffirmed Government’s commitment to completing the project and addressing other infrastructure needs at the university, including student accommodation, lecture theatres, a modern library, and improvements to the campus road network.

He explained that recent reforms to GETFund financing arrangements would allow more resources to be directed toward priority projects in tertiary institutions, helping bridge infrastructure gaps across the country.

Welcoming the President, UHAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lydia Aziato described the laboratory complex as one of the largest and most advanced facilities of its kind in Africa. She revealed that the project is currently about 72 per cent complete and, when fully operational, will accommodate approximately 1,200 students and staff.

According to Prof. Aziato, the complex will house specialised laboratories in medical imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, nutrition, prosthetics, anatomy, and an international-standard research laboratory designed to support advanced scientific research.

She also highlighted the University’s rapid growth from 154 students in 2012 to nearly 11,000 students today, noting that inadequate infrastructure continues to pose significant challenges.

Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu assured the University that Government had taken note of its concerns. He announced that additional hostel facilities and an auditorium would be considered under the 2027 GETFund allocation and disclosed plans to establish a new UHAS campus in the Keta-Anloga area, focusing on pharmacology and biomedical engineering.

Following the inspection, President Mahama expressed confidence that with sustained investment in infrastructure and research, UHAS would realise the vision of its founders and emerge as one of Africa’s leading health sciences universities within the next four to five years.