Wa, Nov. 29, GNA - The Vice President has denied speculations that the government would close down the University for Development Studies (UDS) Medical School at Tamale.

He said: "It was a negative political propaganda being used by our political opponents to drag our name into mud to win cheap political points." Alhaji Aliu made the denial when he addressed staff and students of UDS, at Wa campus, as part of his three-day tour of the Upper West Region.

He said the government was looking for acceptable alternatives that could help sustain the University for the benefit of the students and the country. Alhaji Mahama added: "It will be the last thing for the government to close down the Medical School as it could be an indictment on my career as a politician and the entire presidency".

The Vice President said as an interim measure to the sustenance the Medical School, government had awarded parts of the Tamale Regional Hospital on contract for rehabilitation while more funds were being sought to put up permanent structure for the School.

Alhaji Aliu said: "I totally sympathise with you, but you will also agree with me that beginners are always sacrificial lambs or guinea-pigs and I assure you that you will one day come back to see a totally transformed school in the next few years."

Dr Daniel Bagah, Dean of the Faculty of Social Integrated Studies, UDS, said though the campus had a total number of 1,010 students, inadequate infrastructure, accommodation, water, vehicle among other logistics were still hindering academic work.

Alhaji Aliu who later visited the Catholic Bishop of Wa, the Most Reverend Paul Bemile, commended the Catholic Church for its tremendous contribution to the development of education in the area.

"The Catholic church has been a long time good partner of the government of Ghana and we shall urge the Church to continue with its good work here". Bishop Bemile appealed to the government to build more roads in the region to facilitate economic activities.

Mr Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister, accompanied the Vice President on his tour.