Ghana: A University Dedicated to Environment & Climate Change
The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD-Ghana) is a recently created university in the Eastern Region of Ghana, located in Trom-Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
The Government of Ghana (GoG) founded the institution through the Ministry of Education in order to provide equal “access for all” to education in Ghana. Ghana and the Italian government collaborated in the establishment of this institution.
President Akufo-Addo stated at the launching ceremony in Somanya on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, that the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), which was funded by the Italian Export Credit Agency, SACE, and the German bank; Deutsche Bank, is yet another example of the country’s commitment to providing quality education and skills training to Ghanaians.
Objective
The president noted at the launching that the establishment of UESD could not have come at a more opportune time in the nation’s history, at a time when the world’s attention is focused on the achievement of the seventeen (17) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, for which he currently serves as co-Chair of as one of the Eminent Group of Advocates.
He noted that the country is facing issues such as deforestation, coastal and marine resource degradation, destruction of biodiversity, climate change, pollution, sanitation, and the infamous illegal mining phenomenon.
The President expressed hope that UESD will provide strategic leadership on environmental and sustainability issues, and grow quickly to become a centre of excellence in teaching and research, not only in the country, but also on the international stage to help some of the problems holding back progress.
Facilities
Messrs Contracta Construzioni Italia, was the Italian firm that won the contract to build the university for €45,575,000 over a 24-month period.
The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences’ lecture hall block contains 13 halls, with a total seating capacity of 1,545.
These includes lecture Hall for School of Natural and Environmental Science; multi-purpose auditorium for School of Natural and Environmental Science; laboratory building for School of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship Development; faculty offices (administration block) for School of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship Development; Vice Chancellor’s residency; Pro-Vice Chancellors’ residency; and key officers’ residencies.
It has a video conference room with a seating capacity of 40, a computer research room with a seating capacity of 24; senior lecturers’ offices, students’ common rooms, telecom rooms, washrooms, and stores.
The multi-purpose hall was complete with a 252-seat multifunctional hall, control room, 100-seat dining room, cafe, kitchen, serving area, locker rooms, washrooms, and stores.
“Indeed, this is the first university in the country with the mandate to provide higher education, research and disseminate knowledge on matters of sustainable development, the protection of the environment, and a focus on developing agri-business.”
– President Akufo-Addo said at the launching
History
Ghana’s ex president John Dramani Mahama established a 12-member group in April 2013 to design a blueprint for the university’s formation, which will address the country’s significant environmental and sustainable development concerns.
Following that, a committee to oversee implementation was formed. President John Dramani Mahama cut the sod for the university’s development in December 2016.
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President Mahama said that Parliament had authorised a £45 million commercial agreement between the government and Contracta, an Italian construction business, for the creation and building of the university, and that construction would begin immediately.
Programs
Students are being admitted into the university’s three schools:
- School of Sustainable Development (SSD)
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES)
- School of Built Environment.
They will be reading programmes such as:
- Sustainable Development,
- Energy Sustainability,
- Environmental Economics and Policy,
- Aquaculture Management,
- Water Resources Management,
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene),
- Natural Environmental Sciences,
- Environmental Management,
- Geography and Earth Science,
- Chemistry and Biological Science,
- Nature Conservation Management,
- Built Environment,
- Architecture,
- Building Information Modeling /Management,
- Building Technology,
- Construction Technology,
- Infrastructure Planning.
Access information on how to apply for admission here
Contact
Phone: + 233 20 095 5020 | + 233 20 320 1140
Email: info@uesd.edu.gh
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
