Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong has commissioned four major facilities to enhance teaching, research, and faculty welfare on campus,
He described the projects as “a strategic investment in the future of higher education.”
The facilities, which were commissioned on Wednesday on the UCC campus, include the Office of International Affiliation (OIA) and School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO), an Ancillary Building behind Ed Hotel, the Offices for Academic Staff Building, and the long-awaited Science Annex Building.
Expanding space for faculty
The five-storey Offices for Academic Staff Building was designed by the university’s Directorate of Physical Development and Estate Management.
It provides 120 offices, including 12 large offices, 102 standard offices, and a 60-seat open-plan office.
The facility also includes two conference rooms with a combined capacity of 105, ICT rooms, storerooms, kitchenettes, reception areas, and disability-accessible washrooms.
Prof. Boampong said the building was conceived to address office space constraints and to create a conducive environment for academic staff.
“These facilities are not just structures; they are enablers of impactful teaching, cutting-edge research, and mentorship. They reflect our commitment to faculty welfare and our determination to prepare the next generation of innovators and change makers,” he stated.
Science Annex milestone
The commissioning of the Science Annex Building marked the completion of a project that began in 2005 but was stalled in 2016 due to inadequate GETFund allocations.
In 2021, the UCC management resolved to pre-finance the project’s completion through internally generated funds, leading to its completion in October 2023. Offices became operational shortly after, with laboratories and specialized installations finalized later.
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The Annex houses nine state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, 40 faculty offices, 15 specialized research rooms, including preparation, code, dark, and explosive rooms, as well as a 160-seat conference hall, a 200-seat computer room, and a fully resourced laboratory.
Prof. Boampong explained that the facility would empower researchers and students to address global challenges such as climate change, public health threats, energy sustainability, and food security.
“This building is not just the end of a long-delayed project. It is a call to push the boundaries of knowledge, to embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, and to nurture the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,” he stressed.
Enhancing global partnerships
The commissioning of the Office of International Affiliation (OIA) and the School of Educational Development and Outreach (SEDO) was also highlighted as a step toward strengthening UCC’s international standing.
According to university officials, the OIA is expected to facilitate academic partnerships and exchange programmes with universities across the world, while SEDO will serve as a hub for training and outreach initiatives in teacher education.
The Ancillary Building behind Ed Hotel will provide additional administrative and academic spaces to ease congestion on campus.
Perseverance through challenges
Prof. Boampong acknowledged the hurdles faced during construction, including structural integrity tests, delayed supplies, and financial constraints.
He praised the collective effort of the University Council, contractors, architects, engineers, and the Physical Development Directorate in seeing the projects through.
“What we are building here at UCC is more than infrastructure. It is a culture of resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness,” he emphasized.
Building on momentum
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the new facilities add to a growing list of projects completed under his leadership, including the Central Administration Building, the School of Graduate Studies Building, and the School of Medical Sciences complexes.
University stakeholders present at the ceremonies described the commissioning as a testament to UCC’s determination to remain at the forefront of higher education in Ghana and beyond.
The events were attended by faculty, contractors, and invited guests, who hailed the developments as a significant milestone in UCC’s 61-year journey.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu & Eric Bentil Akyen/ATLFMNEW
