A 3,550-seater ultra-modern auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has been commissioned.

The auditorium was commissioned by Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State in-charge of Tertiary Education on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

In a speech read on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, Prof. Yankah said the ultra-modern auditorium was a testament to the vision and accomplishments of past and present leaders of the UPSA.

He said buildings on university campuses were more than brick and mortar; stating that they embody the quality of knowledge that had been constructed, disseminated and consumed over the years, and signal the generations of dialogue between the old and the young that often transpire to impact on the wellbeing of society.

“But buildings, as imposing as this one, also enhance the quality and aesthetics of the environment and inspire students and faculty alike to dream bigger and higher.”

He said since the edifice matches up to international standards, it should not only be an asset to the UPSA, but also a great asset to the nation as well.

The President congratulated the UPSA for being among the top universities in sub-Saharan Africa in a pioneering new global ranking by the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings.

President Akufo-Addo lauded the Council and Management of the UPSA for placing emphasis on courses that were relevant and critical to the needs and aspirations of Ghanaians, especially in the areas of management sciences, accountancy, marketing, banking and finance, communication and information technology (ICT), law and other related social sciences.

Prof Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey, the Vice-Chancellor, UPSA recalled that in 2016, the University obtained a loan facility of GHC77.9 million from Access Bank Ghana Limited, to construct the ultra-modern auditorium and their Student Centre, which was completed early on and commissioned last year.

“By the time I took office in January 2017, the University had repaid GHC16 million of the GHC77.9 million. Through prudent financial management of our internally generated funds, I am happy to announce that as we speak, we have paid the entire loan, and are waiting for few certificates to clear,” he stated.

He said the UPSA remained committed to significantly contributing to human resource development, job creation and reduction of unemployment in the country.

He said the University was working hard to contribute to the success of the Free Senior High School (SHS) scheme.

Prof Amartey announced that under the UPSA’s community action initiative beginning July this year, they were going to run free vacation classes for SHS students around Adenta and Madina environs.

Dr Kofi Ohene-Konadu, Chair, UPSA Governing Council described the auditorium facility as an invaluable national asset.

The auditorium has a main hall of the facility has a total seating capacity of 2,800 including the galleries.

Additionally, the auditorium has four ancillary conference rooms with adjoining lounges and a server.

Two of the conference rooms are on the ground floor with seating capacity of 200 each and two on the second floor with seating capacities of 200 and 150 respectively adding up to a total of 3,550 seating capacity.

Furthermore, the auditorium has two-storey underground car parking facility with a vehicle capacity of 138.

Other facilities include media and projection room, changing rooms, support facilities (storage and washrooms), offices, basement and lobbies that can be used for exhibitions, meetings and cocktails.

In attendance were Prof Joshua Alabi, former Vice-Chancellor, UPSA; Prof Charles Barnor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, UPSA; and Alhaji Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, Member of Parliament for Madina.