Ghana’s planned University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences is expected to admit its first students in October 2026, following renewed government assurances that outstanding debts holding up construction will be settled.
The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the timeline during a visit to the project site, saying the government remained committed to completing the university and making it operational.
Construction of the institution, which began in 2022, stalled after Ghana entered a debt exchange programme that constrained public spending and delayed payments to contractors. The project is estimated to cost about $90 million and is being developed with financial support from the South Korean government.
Mr Iddrisu said unpaid obligations currently stand at nearly $30 million, including close to $10 million owed through the Ministry of Finance. He expressed confidence that the outstanding amounts would be cleared to allow work on the project to resume fully.
According to the minister, the university’s facilities will include schools of engineering and agricultural sciences, lecture halls, laboratories, student accommodation, a cafeteria and an exhibition centre.
He said the institution is expected to begin academic activities with an initial intake of about 800 students, evenly split between agricultural sciences and engineering-related programmes.
The education minister added that the formal establishment of the university depends on the passage of enabling legislation by cabinet and parliament, which he expects to be completed before the end of March.
The government is also considering additional concessionary financing to expand the project. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to discuss further cooperation with South Korea during a planned state visit later this year.
The university is intended to boost Ghana’s capacity in engineering, agriculture, research and innovation, while strengthening academic ties between Ghana and South Korea.
