UESD needs better funding and infrastructure — Seth Terkper

The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya has marked its fifth anniversary, with Council Chairman and former Finance Minister Seth Terkper reflecting on the institution’s rapid growth while highlighting ongoing infrastructure challenges.

Speaking at the university’s second congregation ceremony, Terkper noted that UESD had expanded “from a modest beginning to a vibrant institution,” with student enrollment rising from 78 in 2020 to more than 1,330 this academic year. He added that the introduction of new graduate programs, an expanded staff base, and growing academic partnerships had strengthened the university’s reputation in environmental sciences and sustainable development.

However, the growth has created “significant pressures.” Many students have had to live off-campus due to stalled accommodation projects, forcing some to walk long distances to lectures. Community members have stepped in, converting commercial spaces into temporary housing or opening their homes to students.

“These challenges have slowed our start-up and limited our strategic momentum,” Terkper admitted. “We still have critically uncompleted physical development projects preventing us from achieving our full potential.”

He also cited funding disruptions, including diverted project funds, which the council has formally reported to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). “We do not recount these circumstances to sour a joyful occasion, but they are realities we must confront,” he said.

Terkper pointed to recent government commitments as signs of progress, including the approval of two new 450-bed hostel blocks, described as an “initial intervention” to ease accommodation challenges. He also praised past and current Education Ministers, particularly Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, for their critical support in navigating difficult periods.

Established in 2015 under Act 898, UESD was designed as a centre of excellence for environmental studies and to support Ghana’s pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Terkper said the university’s first five years had stayed true to that mandate, crediting faculty and staff for creating “a place where knowledge meets responsibility and innovation meets environmental consciousness.”

Addressing the Class of 2025, he encouraged graduates to carry the ethos of sustainability into their careers: “Your education is a tool for service. Let the principles of sustainability guide your every action and decision. The world awaits your ideas, your energy, and your integrity.”

Looking ahead, Terkper said the council is reviewing UESD’s five-year strategic plan, focusing on continuity rather than an overhaul. “We took a cautious decision not to jettison progress under the old plan and will build on what has been achieved to ensure the university remains agile and impactful,” he noted.

He concluded by thanking community leaders, families, faculty, and government agencies for their support. “With your partnership, we will continue to strengthen governance, expand infrastructure, and attract investment in research and innovation. Our task is to nurture a university that contributes meaningfully to regional, national, and international development.”