Accra: The Agona Nyakrom Campus of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has made an appeal to Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang’s Foundation for infrastructural support to ensure the sustainability of the campus.
According to Ghana News Agency, the campus has also urged its citizens, both at home and abroad, to urgently assist in providing hostel facilities to increase student intake for the upcoming academic year commencing in July/August. Professor Isaac Buabeng, Director of the Campus, made these remarks in an interview at Nyakrom in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.
He emphasized the importance of adequate infrastructural support to facilitate double admissions for students within the Nyakrom enclave, which is crucial for the campus’s sustainability. The courses offered at the Nyakrom campus mirror those at the UCC main campus, thereby necessitating the immediate expansion of hostel facilities to accommodate the students.
Last academic year, the campus admitted 325 students for BSC programs in Nursing and Nutrition. However, due to limited space, students are dispersed around the town. Prof. Buabeng highlighted the campus’s role in providing opportunities for students from Nyakrom Senior High Technical School and other schools in Agona West and East to gain admission to the University.
He called on the chiefs and affluent citizens of Agonaman, as well as others, to support the construction of hostel facilities. He noted the willingness of Okofo Katakyi Nyakoh Eku X, Omanhene of Agona Nyakrom, to release land for such projects.
Prof. Buabeng also appealed to the Swedru/Nyakrom Police Commanders to extend patrols to the campus to ensure the safety of students, particularly at night, due to its remote location from the main town. He suggested the establishment of a police post on campus to serve the community.
An Estate Development company has proposed constructing a 1,000-bed hostel facility on the campus to alleviate the accommodation challenges. Prof. Buabeng encouraged citizens of Agona Nyakrom to purchase shares in the company to support the construction and sustain the campus.
Mr. Samuel Kuffour, the administrator of UCC Agona Nyakrom campus, appealed to the MP for Agona West, Mrs. Ernestina Ofori Dangbey, Mr. Eric Gyamfi Odoom, and the Municipal Chief Executive for Agona West to facilitate the installation of streetlights on the campus road to ensure student safety.
The administrator mentioned that while the UCC administration has initiated vehicle procurement, donations of vehicles and logistics support from individuals would enhance effective administration. Ms. Yvonne Berko, a Lecturer in Nursing, called on NGOs, private companies, financial institutions, and real estate developers to assist in building hostels on campus. She noted the high number of female students attracted to the courses, which requires additional accommodation facilities.
Ms. Berko also mentioned the successful launch of the campus’s Students Representative Council (SRC) with activities including debates and talk shows.