President John Dramani Mahama is considering establishing a branch of the University for Development Studies (UDS) at Builsa in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

During Mr. Mahama’s visit to the region as part of his Accounting to the People tour Tuesday July 12, the paramount chief of the area, Naba Azagsuk Azantilow II, surrounded by his elders and people, requested for a university to be established in the area.

He said: “Colonial governments recognised us. Today as His Excellency is here, we are asking for a tertiary institution. It is the only traditional area in the region that has no tertiary institution, yet it was the first in the pre-independence period to have a government middle boarding school.”

Responding to the demand by the chief, Mr Mahama said: “I’ve taken note of the request you’ve made with respect of a tertiary institution here (Builsa). I am going to take it up especially with the University for Development Studies and see if we can put one of the campuses of the University for Development Studies in your area.”

The president during the interaction with the people also touted the strides made so far in the health sector, saying government had built polyclinics, community-based health planning service (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and district hospitals.

He further disclosed that the Saudi Arabia government had approved funding for the second phase of the ongoing expansion project at the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga.

“The Bolga Hospital, we’ve almost finished the first phase. The Saudi government has approved funding for the second phase which we’ll build into a proper regional hospital so that if you have any referrals, you don’t have to go all the way to Tamale or Komfo Anokye. If you go to the Bolga Hospital, there will be all the equipment that you will find in Komfo Anokye or Tamale Teaching Hospital,” he said.

Earlier, the president had announced at Bawku his intention to raise funds for the construction of a new government hospital in the area.

“Bawku currently does not have a modern government hospital. And so we intend to build a modern government hospital that befits the status of Bawku in my second term in office,” he promised.