UWR: DHLTU faced with infrastructure deficit, calls for government intervention
The construction of a number of projects as part of strategic plan to meet the infrastructure needs of Dr Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU) in Wa suffered a setback and have not been completed.
According to the newly inducted first Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Elias N.K Sowley, the construction of a Vice Chancellor’s residence, 10No. Staff accommodation, hall of residence and a faculty building have stalled for many years.
He made these known during the investiture of the First Vice Chancellor and the third congregation of the University on Saturday, 7th May, 2022 at the forecourt of the Universities library.
The program was attended by members of the governing council led by the Chairman-Chief Sulemana Nabila, Vice Chancellors of Sister Universities, the Upper West Regional Minister, Members of Regional House of Chiefs, the Clergy, Staff, Alumni and Graduands.
The third congregation of DHLTU saw a total of 311 students conferred Higher National Diplomas (HND) in the fields of: Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, Applied Arts and Business Management.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Elias N.K Sowley bemoaned that DHLTU is the only Public University in Ghana without student’s accommodation facilities which is affecting student enrollment rates.
The newly inducted first Vice Chancellor added that an amount of GHC 347,462.83 and GHC 3,994,366.31 have been spent on the construction of a 2-storey Vice Chancellor’s residence and 40 Units 2- bedroom staff accommodation respectively and are yet to be completed.
The inner roads according to the First Vice Chancellor have been awarded on contract but the contractor has abandoned site after completing works on the drainage due to lack of funds.
Prof Elias N.K Sowley pledged among other things to promote good governance and management saying “a higher education institution like ours cannot flourish without good governance.”
He underscored the need to administer the University in a transparent manner by the status of the university backed by the relevant policies which must also be developed.
He also indicated his resolve of exposing the institution to the rest of the world through international linkages by setting international relations office, supported research and publication in reputable journals and collaborating with other TVET institutions and industry while adopting best practices from other higher education institutions.
For his part, the Chairman of the governing Council of the University, Chief Sulemana Nabila used the opportunity to reaffirm Council’s support to the growth and development of the DHLTU for it to attain the aims and objectives of technical education in Ghana.
“The Upper West is endowed with lots of natural resources such as clay, water bodies, fruits that places the University strategically to support and promote the governments policies on job creation” he stated.
He noted that government’s commitment of retooling the laboratories and realigning programs of the technical universities which is currently ongoing is aimed at properly placing technical universities to operate effectively and efficiently to promote self employability and reduce graduate unemployment.
Chief Sulemana Nabila assured council’s resolve of providing the needed platforms that will interface the institution and its stakeholders so as to guarantee smooth administration and academic work.
He urged everybody to support the new vice chancellor in his quest to bring the University to its desired place.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih appealed to the University to develop tailor made programmes and courses directed at artisans to update their skills and upgrade their output.
“Let us look beyond the usual entry requirements into the university and create a window for our brothers and sisters who have not benefited from formal education.” the Minister urged.
In line with the current status and mandate, the University is set to introduce nine Bachelor of Technology Programmes in the 2022/2023 academic year. The new Bachelor Programmes to be introduced are in their final stages of accreditation.
