Parliament endorses establishment of two universities

Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday passed the University of Health and Allied Science and University of Energy and Natural Resources Bills.

Mr Mahama Ayariga, Deputy Minister of Education moved for the bills to be passed and was seconded by Mr Mathias Puozaa, Chairman of the Education Committee.

The University of Health and Allied Science is to be established in the Volta Region as a research and practical orientated health educational institution dedicated to community service.

The bill is government’s initiative supported by institutions and individuals who agreed that the university would contribute to the development of the needed human resources for national development in the health sector.

The academic component of the university includes schools of Allied Health Sciences and Basic and Biomedical Science, Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Medicine.

The university would also have a graduate School of Sports and Exercise Medicine and Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine and Institute of Medicinal Education and Health Research.

Facilities to be used for the start of the campuses in Ho and Hohoe have been identified and financial provision was made in the 2011 Budget for the establishment of the university.

The bill provides for the creation of an interim council for three years before the appointment of the Council under the Act.

A special recruitment programme would be developed to support the employment of citizens in the Diaspora and young graduates interested in teaching would be offered government sponsorship for training.

The second bill on the University of Energy and Natural Resources is to be establish in the Brong Ahafo Region to generate, advance and apply knowledge in energy and research sciences.

It would commence in phases, which would include the School of Natural Resources, School of Arts and Social Sciences and Graduate School of Management and Sustainable Development.

The university comprises seven schools including School of Natural Resources, Engineering and Sciences, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Agriculture and Technology, School of Geo-sciences and Graduate School of Management and Sustainable Development.

There is an interim Council for three years before the appointment of the Council under the Act and Special Recruitment Programme, which would be developed to support the employment of citizens in the Diaspora.