The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has asked government to help it resolve its accommodation challenges as many of its staff and students cannot be accommodated on its campus.  

According to the University, the skyrocketing rents charged by landlords coupled with poor housing conditions students and staff are saddled with have become a big challenge around its neck.

Speaking at the University's graduation ceremony, a member of the Governing Council, Dr Abena Asomaning Antwi, called on government to assist the University in completing abandoned hostel facilities on the University’s campuses.

In the year under review, the University introduced 62 new academic programs. 

The programs, the University explains, were introduced as part of its vision to expand its institutions to meet various professional interests and areas of specialization including the demand of the contemporary global environment.

Addressing students and staff of the University at the congregation, Dr Abena Asomaning Antwi, highlighted the challenge of accommodation and called on the government to intervene to complete stalled hostel facilities.

“The University continues to ask the government for assistance in resolving its accommodation challenges. The University, for some time now, has been unable to accommodate a large number of students and staff. Unfortunately, some landlords in Winneba and its environs are charging exorbitant rates for accommodation,” she explained.

She states that what is even more worrying is the fact that in several places, the conditions and the environments of such facilities are not the best for students and learning.

Dr. Abena Asomaning Antwi says, all these are a big challenge for the students and staff of their campuses at Winneba and Ajumako and want the government to intervene by helping it complete the stalled hostel projects. 

She stated that the University has embarked on a few hostel projects, which have stalled due to a funding gap. These hostel facilities are at various stages of completion and would require the government’s assistance to help complete them.

Beyond the government’s intervention, the University is also calling on interested estate developers to partner with the University in providing decent accommodation for students and staff.

Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Andy Ofori Birikorang revealed one of his pursuits as a leader of the university community, after he was notified to act as Vice-Chancellor, is to foster unity and build bridges for a peaceful academic environment.

He says he would stop at nothing to ensure a sound academic environment that would promote scholarship.

“Since I was notified to act as the leader of this academic community, my major preoccupation has been to deepen the process of reconciliation, inclusion, and healing at our university in a very progressive and pragmatic manner,” he assured.

Prof. Andy Ofori Birikorang is convinced that to move the University towards attaining its vision, there was the need to harness and resourcefully manage all its potential and resources to the collective benefit of all.

He said, “We, therefore, are determined to foster an atmosphere of peace and harmony in furtherance of the development of our Universityrsity.

The University of Education, Winneba, in its inclusion education drive has established a braille library and resourced it for the visually impaired students of the University.