Some protesters
Some staff of the Ho Nurses Training College have staged a protest demanding the return of several institutional properties currently occupied by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), describing the situation as a long-standing injustice affecting the operations of the college.
The aggrieved staff took to the streets to draw the attention of the government and the public to what they say has been more than a decade of unsuccessful attempts to retrieve the facilities.
According to the convenor of the group, James Awudi, the affected properties were temporarily handed over to UHAS in 2012 when the University was established during the first term of President John Dramani Mahama.
He stated that the government at the time directed that some buildings belonging to the college be used as temporary “incubatory facilities” for the new university with the understanding that the properties would be returned once UHAS relocated to its permanent campus.
However, 14 years after the arrangement, the facilities remain under the control of the University. Mr. Awudi said the properties were originally constructed to support the effective functioning of the college and to provide accommodation and teaching space for both staff and students.
The facilities in question include staff flats reportedly converted into student hostels by UHAS, lecture halls belonging to the college, three-bedroom self-contained bungalows meant for the principal, offices for staff and the college library. According to the protesters, the continued occupation of the properties has severely affected the smooth running of the institution.
Mr. Awudi indicated that for more than a decade the college had pursued diplomatic means to resolve the matter, including writing several letters and petitions to relevant authorities, but the efforts had yielded no meaningful response. He further alleged that some of the facilities had been converted into hostels by UHAS and were being used to generate internally generated funds while the college struggles with accommodation and teaching space.
They called on the government, the Volta Regional Minister, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to intervene to ensure the properties are returned to the college and to help restore harmony between the two institutions.
They Protesters presented the petition to representatives of UHAS who received it on behalf of the University. Responding to the petition, Architect Ruth Xorladem Ayittey, Director of Works and Physical Development of UHAS assured the protesters that the matter would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities within the University.
By Daniel K Orlando, Ho