Aryeetey Inaugurates UPSA Hostel

Front view of the hostel
Justice Aryeetey, Chairman of the Council of the University for Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), has inaugarated a eight-storey hostel for the university.

Speaking at the inaugurtion ceremony in Accra on Thursaday, Mr  Aryeetey said the hostel would reduce accommodation problems facing the students and improve academic work.

In  a welcome address, the Council Chairman said the hostel was built with a loan facility from Access Bank.

Mr. Aryeetey said he was pleased with the timely completion of the project since it would alleviate the plight of all students.

He commended all who contributed in making the project a success, especially the Vice Chancellor.

'I want to give special thanks to the Vice Chancellor whose tenure has seen huge transformation of the university,' he said.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Alabi, explained that the university pulled down the previous hostel because of continual students' agitattion over conditions at the facility.

He said although his office saw the need for a new hostel, acquistion of land for the project was a major challenge.

After presenting a proposal to the University of Ghana, a 2.9 acre land was leased for 35 years, with an option to renew for further 15 years, he added.

Prof. Alabi said, 'UPSA is the only university in Ghana that government never gave seed money or land, this land must, therefore, be utilised properly.'

He said the total cost of the project is  GHC31,126, 000 and payment of the loan facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

Prof. Alabi used the opportunity to thank students of the university for their contribution towards the building of the hostel.

According to Prof. Alabi, students voluntarily contributed 2.09 percent of the total cost of the project.

He advised students to adopt a good maintenance culture to properly manage the facilities.

The Group Head of Business Banking of Access Bank, Kwabena Appiah-Gyimah said the bank was proud to be associated with UPSA.

He said the relationship dates back to 2007 and has strenghtened over the years.

'The bank has a strong desire to invest in the educational sector and we believe the project has a significant bearing on students' academic work,' he added.

Some students expressed their appreciation to the school's management for executing the project.

They disclosed the hostel has a generator which would help address the eratic power supply in the country.

By Elikem kwaku Ahialey