The Dr. Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University (DHLTU) at Wa, in the Upper West Region, has held its 5th congregation since the conversion of the school into a technical university in 2020, amidst a myriad of challenges.Some of the challenges are uncompleted projects, including the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) residence, staff bungalow projects and the rehabilitation of the internal roads of the school.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the campus last Saturday, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Elias N.K. Sowley, explained that the contract for the construction of the VC’s residence was awarded over a decade ago, but is yet to be completed.
“The contract for the construction of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence was awarded on July 28, 2008 andended on June 2, 2010 and re-awarded on January 5, 2011 however, the project has still not been completed.
“The contract for the construction of ten (4 flats each) bungalows for staff was also awarded on October 10, 2008 to ten different contractors. Currently, all the contractors have abandoned the site”, he lamented.
Other hurdles the school has to cross are inadequate infrastructure such as lecture theatres and faculty buildings, as the school hasnow introduced degree programmes, which required additional facilities to aid smooth academic activities.
On student hostels, Prof. Sowley announced that the DHLTU had been selected by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to benefit a 400-bed capacity students’ hostel facility under the Tertiary Education Improvement Programme (TEIP).
According to him, though the project is supposed to start this year, the contractor is yet to commence work on the site.
The Vice Chancellor announced that the university has introduced new Bachelor of Technology programmes to meet industry demands and the evolving needs of students and society.
He added that plans were far advanced for the introduction of new graduate programmes at the university in the next academic year, to provide students with opportunities for specialisation and to meet the changing demands of the job market.
He mentioned some of the graduate programmes as Master of Science in Construction Engineering and Management; Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering & Management and Master of Technology in Irrigation and Conservation Agriculture.
Prof. Sowley advised the Congregants to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, as the current job market requires job creators and not job seekers.
The University Council Chairman, Chief Sulemana Nabila, appealed to the government to provide the needed funds and resources for the completion of the abandoned projects, as they are necessary for the development of the university.
He assured university management of the continuous support of the Council to ensure a peaceful working environment for the successful execution of its mandate in research, teaching and learning.
Naa Nabila advised the graduates to continue their education and pursue lifelong learning opportunities, either through further studies or professional development courses to expand their knowledge and skills.
The Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Mr Peter Maala, who represented the Regional Minister, urged the university management to strive to ensure that the university remained a beacon of academic excellence.
He also urged the graduates to remain steadfast and be committed to excellence, integrity and service to humanity in their future endeavours.
In her valedictory speech, Madam Amanda Addo Boateng said the university had equipped them with the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue their life dreams to overcome obstacles and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
She expressed gratitude to every person who played a role in their successful academic journey and thanked the lecturers and mentors for the guidance, wisdom and dedication to help in their academic success.
A total of 678 students, comprising 427 males and 251 females graduated from the university, with 41 of them graduating with First Class, 355 graduated with Second Class Upper, 277 graduated with Second Class Lower, whilst five students graduated with a Pass.
