Vice Chancellor Appeals to Government to Bridge UBIDS Infrastructure Gap through Big Push Programme

The Vice Chancellor of the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), Prof. Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, has appealed to the government to bridge the university’s longstanding infrastructure deficit through the Big Push Infrastructure Development Programme.

The Big Push policy, a central pillar of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) manifesto, is aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, boosting economic growth, and creating sustainable jobs across the country.

President John Dramani Mahama outlined his plan to invest $2 billion annually over the next five years in critical infrastructure projects. The initiative, he said, would target roads, major bridges, schools, healthcare facilities, and agriculture-related developments.

Speaking at the maiden congregation of the School of Law and a special congregation of the School of Graduate Studies and Research on Saturday, Prof. Derbile highlighted the dire state of infrastructural development at SDD-UBIDS.

He revealed that five key projects — including a library, two lecture halls, an auditorium, office complexes, and a hostel — have remained uncompleted for over a decade due to funding constraints.

“We are grateful to the government for starting some GETFund projects for the university, but many remain stalled for over 10 years. Although the recently announced GH¢10 million seed money by the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, is appreciated, we appeal to the President to consider bridging the infrastructure gap through the Big Push programme.”

The event marked a historic moment for northern Ghana, as 61 students graduated from the university’s newly established School of Law, while 71 postgraduate students were conferred degrees at the special congregation — the first of its kind in the region.

Representing the Education Minister, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing infrastructure needs. He announced that the GETFund had been uncapped to allow greater access to funding for critical projects.

“We believe uncapping GETFund is a step in the right direction. The Minister has pledged GH¢10 million each to four new universities, including SDD-UBIDS,” Prof. Ocloo stated.

“As soon as we get the green light, we will begin disbursement. I urge the Vice Chancellor and Council Chair to follow up with the Minister to expedite the release.”

Chairman of the UBIDS Governing Council, Dr. Benjamin Kunbour, also addressed systemic challenges facing the legal sector. He stressed the need to restore public confidence in Ghana’s judicial system and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms.

“The judiciary must be depoliticised. The NDC government is committed to reforms through the Legal Education Reform Bill, which is set to be laid before Parliament,” Dr. Kunbour noted. He also emphasised the need for a unique legal curriculum at UBIDS, tailored to national development needs.

Delivering a message on behalf of the Upper West Regional Minister, Pognaa Fati Issaka Koray, Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council, urged the graduating students to view their achievements as a call to duty.

“The law is more than rules — it is a powerful tool for change,” she said. “Use your education to serve the people and uphold justice.”

Best graduating student, Ms. Sherita Agnes Kwakye, captured the pride and resilience of the pioneering law class in a spirited valedictory speech. “Class of 2025, we did it. We are the maiden batch of law students that Northern Ghana will be producing. Let us go out there and make Ghana proud,” she said, while urging management to continue addressing the challenges faced by the first cohort.