The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) on Saturday, July 13, 2019 held its 4th Congregation for 806 students who successfully completed their various programmes of study in the 2018/19 academic year.
The ceremony, which took place in the Cedi Auditorium at the main campus at Sokode-Lokoe, Ho, had graduands, from the Schools of Allied Health Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery including three foreign students all receives their scrolls and medallions to signify the accomplishment of their academic pursuit at the UHAS .
The colourful ceremony, which was chaired by Justice Jones Mawulorm Dotse, UHAS Chairman of Chairman, encouraged the graduands to always uphold the core values of the University and their profession.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor John Gyapong in his address, highlighted the progress of the University’s strategic plan, developments within the University during the academic year, evolvement of advantageous Research funds and grants in UHAS, which has culminated in its latest feat of being the 12th best University in Ghana, according to the Webometrics universities rankings.
He said the ranking by the Ranking Web of Universities worldwide, was an indication of the great strides being made by the young University and would serve as a morale booster for the dynamic staff and other aspiring students, as they work towards the fifth (5th) spot of the ranking within the next five years.
The Vice Chancellor also announced the promulgation of a number of policy document to guide the effective administration of the institution, including the UHAS Statute which will be effective from August 1st, 2019.
He indicated that, with the conversion of the Volta Regional Hospital into a Teaching Hospital, UHAS was fast attracting a lot more consultants and specialists, which would reposition it as a preeminent healthcare training institution within the West African sub-region.
He however urged government to precipitate action for the completion of the School of Pharmacy block and other Getfund projects at the Ho and Hohoe campuses, while they await the start of the Chinese sponsored UHAS Phase 2 project, which includes, a central administration and the school of Nursing and Midwifery.
In addition, the Vice Chancellor decried the poor nature of access roads to the main campus and called for an immediate intervention from the roads ministry.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Angela Ofori-Atta, Head of Department of Psychiatry at the University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry, encouraged the graduands to put their newly acquired knowledge and skills to service of all, irrespective of their social status, without compromising on their values.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa who was the Guest of Honour, opined that, UHAS was not only impacting the training of healthcare professionals in the country, but also projecting the name and image of the region to the rest of the world. He emphasized on the teething challenges of the university was not lost on government and assured that efforts are been made to address them, especially the road network.
The Minister, while urging the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of their alma mater, also pledged to institute an award scheme for the Best Medical Student in Paediatrics, at the congregation of the first UHAS trained medical doctors in the near future.
Presenting the valedictory address on behalf of the graduands, Mr. Elvis Nutifafa Agbley, congratulated his fellow graduands for successfully completing their programme of study in spite of the numerous challenges and wished them well in their future endeavours.
In all 17 awards were presented to outstanding graduands with Mr. Elvis N. Agbley sweeping the overall best graduating student award on the day. Present at ceremony were Professor Seth Owusu-Agyei, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo, Registrar, Mrs Abena Osei- Asare, deputy Minister of Finance, Deans, Directors, Members of Convocation, Special Invited Guests, Parents and Guardians and other well-wishers.