Madam Yaa Amankwaa Opuni
The University of Health and Applied Sciences (UHAS) has inducted into office its third Registrar, Miss Yaa Amankwaa Opuni at a special ceremony at its main campus (Green Valley), Sokode near Ho, the Volta Regional Capital.
As one of the first staff members of the 10-year-old University, Miss Opuni has been an integral part of the many transformations and successes chalked by UHAS, including it being adjudged third best university, consecutively in the country and 36th in Africa per the rankings of AD scientific index in the World Scientists and University Rankings this year.
Miss Opuni who takes over from Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo is a member of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants, Ghana and Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA).
She initially obtained a Bachelor of Education Degree in Business Education (Secretarial and Management option) from the University of Education Winneba, Kumasi Campus (now Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), and a Master of Public Administration Degree from University of Ghana Business School (UGBS).
As a foundation staff, she played a key role in putting systems and structures in place for a smooth take-off and running of UHAS when it was established in 2012. From planning of new academic programmes and their accreditation; recruitment of faculty, administrative and junior staff; admission of students and orientation; to arrangements for examinations and accommodation, she has been there. She also supported the planning, designing and presiding over the building of physical infrastructure from ground zero.
President Akufo-Addo in a Group Picture with UHAS VC – Prof. Lydia Aziato, UHAS Registrar – Miss Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, UHAS Council Chairman Justice Jones Dotse and other dignitaries
After her appointment as an Assistant Registrar in 2012, Ms. Opuni has held various schedules in UHAS, including assignment to the Office of the Registrar from 2012 to 2017. As Senior Assistant Registrar in 2017, she was transferred to the Human Resource Directorate to head the Recruitment, Promotion and Separation Unit.
She then served as School Officer in charge of Administration, Academics, Student Affairs and Human Resource Management of the Fred Binka School of Public Health in Hohoe, a satellite campus of UHAS. From there, she became the School Officer for the School of Pharmacy.
Her close knowledge and personal experience of the full range of the University’s administrative units and processes mandated under the Act and Statutes have been brought to bear on the University’s governance and administration. She has had the rare advantage of having been involved in all aspects of the University Machinery.
While handling her schedules, Ms. Opuni served on several boards including, Recorder to the University Council; Convocation Non-Professorial Representative on Council; Secretary to the Audit Committee and Recorder for the Appointments and Promotions Board of the University. She is also a member of the Media Commission Advisory Committee of the Peace Council in the Volta Region.
The occasion which also saw the investiture of Prof. Lydia Aziato as the new Vice Chancellor of the University was graced by President Akufo-Addo who assured that he will continue to be a lead advocate for the progress of UHAS.
UHAS is the first public university to be established in the Volta Region. It is wholly dedicated to health, medical and allied science. It currently runs eighteen (18) undergraduate programmes in seven schools and one (1) institute, namely; School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy, School of Sports and Exercise Medicine and Institute of Health Research. Others yet to be established are the School of Dentistry, Institute of Medical Education, and Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)