Government through the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu has announced plans to rename the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) after late former President Professor John Evans Atta Mills.
The Tamale South MP disclosed this during the inauguration of UHAS’ fourth substantive governing council at a brief ceremony held in Accra on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The Minister described the move as “a posthumous honour for his contribution as a statesman, a former President of the Republic and a former academic of repute as well as his role in the establishment of UHAS.
“Therefore, UHAS in due course, will be known as John Evans Atta Mills University of Health and Allied Sciences,” he stated.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to higher education infrastructure development, he assured that all ongoing projects at the Ho and Hohoe campuses, including the UHAS laboratory complex, would be completed under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
He also announced that Minister for Roads and Adaklu MP, Governs Kwame Agbodza had promised to commence work on the internal roads of the University.
The newly sworn-in 17-member Council is chaired by Professor Kodzo Gavua, comprising prominent academics, professionals, and institutional representatives.
It also include; Professor Lydia Aziato (Vice Chancellor, UHAS), Professor Mark Appiah, Emeritus Professor Fred Newton Binka, Mr. Selorm Dey Esq., Dr. Kenneth Tachi, and Daniel Nii Noi Ashong, CA.
Other members are Dr. Edmund Nibeneeh Aalangdong (Representative of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission), Mr. Charles Evans Apreku (Representative of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools), Professor Peter Adatara (Representative of Convocation, Professorial), and Mr. Israel Tordzro Agudze (Representative of Convocation, Non-Professorial).
Representatives from within the University’s own community include Mr. Gabriel Agbanyo (UHAS Alumni Association), Mr. Jeffery Nii Otu Larkai (Senior Staff Association), Dr. Felix Kwasi Nyande (University Teachers Association of Ghana – UTAG), Mr. Felix Dolla Dimado (Graduate Students Association of Ghana – GRASAG), and Mr. Sefah Michael Debrah (Students’ Representative Council – SRC). The Registrar, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, serves as Secretary to the Council.
In a short remarks, Professor Gavua expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Education Minister, and the government for the opportunity and vowed to steer the affairs of the UHAS effectively.
“I will like to say with confidence that we shall work as a team based on mutual trust and respect to build upon what our forebearers have left, to ensure that UHAS does not only become a model university but a leading healthcare training institution in Ghana, across Africa and the world at large,” Professor Gavua said.
He pledged that accommodation for students and staff would be a top priority for the Council.
