The forum for executive heads of Public Universities in Ghana, Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG) was established in 1965 as an informal consultative meeting of the three universities at the time- UG, UST and UCC. The organization currently consists of the sixteen public universities in the country, including the University for Development Studies, UDS.

The VCG holds regular meetings to interact with management and faculty members of public Universities to obtain first-hand information regarding their operations and general welfare as institutions of higher learning. The meeting involves the Vice Chancellors, Finance Officers and Registrars of all sixteen public Universities in the country. This year’s meeting was held in the Northern Region, tamale.

The VCG team was led by the Chairman, who doubles as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UNIMAC), Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, The Chairman of the Committee of Registrars and Finance Officers-VCG and Ag. Registrar of the University of Media, Arts and Communication, Dr. Sika Akoto, Chairman of the Committee of Finance Officers, VCG, and Ag. Director of Finance of the University of Media, Arts and Communication, Mr. Francis Obeng, and other executives of the VCG.

The VCG team, on their arrival, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Professor Seidu Al-hassan in his office at the Central Administration of the University. Their visit, among others, was to learn more about the UDS, its operations, prospects and challenges.

The Vice Chancellor of UDS, Professor Seidu Al-hassan, briefed them on the journey of UDS. He stated that the University began in 1993 on the Nyankpala Campus with thirty-nine students under one faculty, the Faculty of Agriculture, however, the University now boasts of over twenty-five thousand students, three campuses, with two more campuses yet to be operationalised.

Professor Seidu Al-hassan intimated that the overlord of the Dagbon Traditional area, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II, had provided UDS with a large parcel of land to establish a campus in Yendi. He also stated that the University has not only provided tertiary education for the people within the areas where it has established campuses, but has also helped to open up socio-economic activities in areas that previously had very little to show economically.

The Chairman of VCG, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UNIMAC), Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, applauded the University for its Journey and the impact it has made in three decades. He described the University as one of the stars of the country.

Professor Kwansah-Aidoo said universities do not only serve as a tool for providing tertiary education, but also a serves as a source of socio-economic development for the people and the country at large. He also stated he was looking forward to working more with the university in the future.

The Executive Secretary of VCG, Dr. Sena Kpeglo-Freiku, commended UDS for its ability to bring education to the doorstep of many vulnerable and poor people.

The VCG held a two-day, closed-door meeting after which the VCG secretariat, together with the Vice-Chancellor of UDS, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan and the Director of Finance at UDS, Dr. Mohammed Hardi Shaibu, paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Dagbon Traditional area, Yaa Naa Abubakari Mahama II. Given the many challenges faced by prospective students in northern Ghana, the Yaa Naa appealed to VCG to make special provision for people from remote parts of Northern Ghana who apply for admissions into the various universities. He added that when this is done, it will help to bridge the developmental gap between the north and south of the country.

Story by:
Salma Abdul Rashid (University Relations)