The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has officially commissioned its Dominase campus in the Ashanti Region for studies, marking another significant milestone in the university’s efforts to expand equitable access to quality higher education.

Funded by the university’s College of Distance Education (CoDE), the facility has eleven lecture halls, twenty-seven offices, two libraries, one ICT laboratory, and three ultramodern science laboratories.

It also has two residential blocks for students, a market shed and group study spaces, giving it a befitting status.

Already, the campus runs a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology programme and is set to admit students for Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, and Home Economics from the next academic year.

Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, the Vice Chancellor of UCC, commissioning the projects, reiterated the school’s commitment to expanding access to higher education across the country.

“This stands as a beacon of academic excellence, innovation, and community development, a testament to what perseverance, collaboration, and vision can achieve,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor recounted how the project which commenced in 2012 and commissioned in 2016 with some significant defects, extensively deteriorated over the years for lack of attention.

In December 2021, the university’s management re-awarded the contract to expand the scope of the project and renovated it extensively despite financial difficulties.

“Among the major works undertaken are a complete replacement of the roof structure, including timber, ceiling noggins, joists, and roofing sheets, and the full rehabilitation of all electrical systems,” he said.

“The compound and parking areas were paved, two septic tanks constructed, and a security post and perimeter fence built to enhance safety,” he added.

Prof Boampong entreated the students, faculty, staff, and the Dominase community to protect, maintain, and fully leverage the facility to advance scholarship and development.

“Let us ensure that this investment yields lasting impact, for our learners, our communities, and our nation,” the Vice Chancellor reiterated.

Prof Anokye Mohammed Adam, Provost of CoDE, highlighted the prospects of the new campus, indicating it had been fully accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

He assured that they would continue to work to position the campus as one of the best campuses of the university.

“We will expand because gradually, we will be adding more facilities to a point where it could stand as a university on its own,” he re-assured.

He thanked the chiefs and people of the Esumaja Traditional Area for accepting to host the university and urged their continuous support.

Prof Siaw Frimpong, the Director of the Campus, urged prospective students to choose the campus for their academic pursuit, indicating that the place was conducive for learning.

Nana Ntim Banahene, Krontihene of the Esumaja Traditional Area, expressed gratitude to UCC for establishing the community’s first-ever university campus and urged them to provide the same quality as was in Cape Coast.

The new campus adds to a raft of projects completed and commissioned under the tenure of Prof Boampong.