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Prof. Owusu-Agyei (middle) presenting documents to Mr Ampofo-Domfeh, while Mr Joseph Acheampong (right), the Director of Projects of the company looks on
Prof. Owusu-Agyei (middle) presenting documents to Mr Ampofo-Domfeh, while Mr Joseph Acheampong (right), the Director of Projects of the company looks on

UHAS, estate developer to address accommodation needs

The University of Health & Allied Sciences (UHAS) at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho in the Volta Region, has teamed up with a private estate developer, Augson Global Ltd, to address the accommodation needs of the university.

Under the arrangement, the company will pre-finance a 10,000-student capacity hostel and 550 units of staff accommodation under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.

Signing of MoU

Consequently, the university and the company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable the company to start the project, expected to be completed within three years.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the PPP Committee of the university, Prof. Seth Owusu-Agyei, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Augson Global Ltd, Mr Rudolf Schirmer Ampofo-Domfeh, signed for the university and Augson Global Ltd respectively.

Augson Smart Hostels

The design, construction and the amenities of the entire project of both the students and staff accommodation are expected to cost about $70 million.

Dubbed, “Augson Smart Hostels”, the proposed uses for the development of the two neighbouring construction sites are expected to be the same, integrated with the vision to promote residential diversity, foster education, and stimulate campus-level activity.

Speaking after the signing, Prof. Owusu-Agyei recounted that the Request for Proposals, Presentation and Evaluation processes were conducted by the university for the development of its lands, “and pursuant to the process, UHAS has earmarked Augson Global as the developer.”

Build-Own-Operate-Transfer

For his part, Mr Ampofo-Domfeh indicated that his company shall deliver a 10,000-student capacity hostel and 550 units of staff accommodation as part of their Augson Investment Programme (AuSIP) under the BOOT basis.
 
“Augson is excited to develop two transformative mixed-use projects for UHAS,” he said, adding that the project would create a true, transit-oriented residential mixed-use development with student housing and retail uses.

He said the project would offer various units’ types for its diverse tenant tailored to all demographics in search of urban living on campus.

“It shall provide students and staff with the widest variety of housing types and prices, proximity to lecture theatres, a range of transportation options, and the opportunity to live near the many amenities that the facility shall offer,” Mr Ampofo-Domfeh explained.

Lack of hostel facilities

Commenting on the MoU, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor John Owusu Gyapong,  noted that currently, in most universities especially young ones such as UHAS, the number of students admitted was not determined by the bed spaces available.

“This is as a result of high demand for higher education and the high number of SHS graduates who qualify for university admissions.

“This has created accommodation shortage such that each year students lack accommodation within the school hostel, Prof. Gyapong explained.

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