Seth Terkper Hails Ghana's Rapid Growth Amid Infrastructure Challenges
The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) is celebrating five years of growth while acknowledging significant infrastructure challenges.
Council Chairman Seth Terkper, a former Finance Minister, lauded the university’s progress during the second congregation ceremony in Somanya, but cautioned that uncompleted projects are hindering its full potential.
Mr. Terkper highlighted a remarkable increase in student enrollment, rising from just 78 in 2020 to over 1,330 this academic year. He also noted the introduction of new graduate programmes, an expanded staff, and strengthened academic partnerships as key achievements.
However, this growth has created pressure, particularly regarding student accommodation. Many students are forced to live off-campus, with some enduring long walks to lectures. “Community members have improvised solutions, converting commercial spaces or opening their homes to students at very short notice,” Mr. Terkper observed.
These challenges, he explained, have “slowed our start-up and limited our strategic momentum.” He revealed that critically uncompleted physical development projects are a major concern. The council has formally raised the issue of past funding disruptions and alleged diversion of resources with the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
“We do not recount these circumstances to sour a joyful occasion, but they are realities we must confront,” Mr. Terkper stated.
Despite these difficulties, the council chairman pointed to recent government commitments as positive steps. Approval for two new 450-bed hostel blocks was announced as an initial effort to address the accommodation crisis. He also commended the contributions of past and current Education Ministers, specifically mentioning Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh for his support during the university’s formative years.
Established in 2015 by Act 898, UESD was envisioned as a leading institution for environmental studies and a key contributor to Ghana’s Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Terkper affirmed that the university has, in its early years, lived up to that mandate, thanks to the dedication of its faculty and staff.
Addressing the graduating Class of 2025, he urged them to embrace sustainability in their future endeavors. “Your education is a tool for service,” he said. “Let the principles of sustainability guide your every action and decision. The world awaits your ideas, your energy and your integrity.”
Looking forward, the council is focused on consolidating the university’s progress through a review of its five-year strategic plan. “We took a cautious decision not to jettison progress under the old plan. We will build on what has been achieved to ensure the university remains agile and impactful,” Mr. Terkper added.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to community leaders, families, faculty, and government agencies for their ongoing support, emphasizing that their partnership is vital to UESD’s continued success. “With your partnership, we will continue to strengthen governance, expand infrastructure and attract investment in research and innovation. Our task is to nurture a university that contributes meaningfully to regional, national and international development.”
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