Continuing his Resetting Ghana tour in the Volta Region, President John Dramani Mahama visited the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) to inspect progress on a long‑delayed state‑of‑the‑art laboratory complex designed to boost the country’s health research and vaccine capacity.

The project, which began in 2014, suffered repeated delays and cost overruns before recent work resumed. Mr Mahama said those setbacks underline the need for timely delivery of critical infrastructure to ensure value for public funds.

“We must deliver projects on schedule to maximise benefits for the nation,” the president said, welcoming improvements on the laboratory complex and urging continued focus on completion.

The facility will house specialised pathogen research and vaccine development capabilities, officials said, and is expected to support the National Vaccine Institute, strengthen disease surveillance and enhance Ghana’s readiness to respond to public‑health threats.

Mr Mahama reaffirmed his government’s ambition to position UHAS as a regional centre of excellence in health sciences education, research and innovation. He also acknowledged remaining infrastructure gaps at the university  including additional student hostels, lecture halls, a modern library and improved internal roads  and pledged continued government investment to address them.

Paying tribute to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, whose administration established UHAS, Mr Mahama said the university is steadily moving towards becoming one of Africa’s premier institutions for health training and research.

University and health officials said completing the laboratory complex will increase local research capacity, reduce dependence on overseas facilities and support Ghana’s broader public‑health and industrialisation goals.

By Blessed EDUAMOAH DADZIE