President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to establishing a public university in the Oti Region.
He assured the chiefs and people of the area during his ‘Thank You’ tour on Friday, July 25, that the institution would be realised within his current tenure.
Speaking at the forecourt of the Dambai College of Education administration block, the President declared the university will become “a centre of excellence and a driver of regional innovation and economic transformation.”
The promise of a university for the Oti Region is a key component of President Mahama’s broader vision to expand access to higher education across Ghana’s six newly created regions.
The Oti Region, carved out of the Volta Region in 2018 following a referendum, is one of the administrative areas that has long advocated for its own tertiary institution to cater to the educational aspirations of its youth and drive local development.
Currently, tertiary education access in the Oti Region often requires students to travel to institutions in neighbouring regions like Volta (University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho) or further afield.
“During my campaign, I pledged that each newly created region would have a public university. I reaffirm that promise today: Oti Region will receive its university within my tenure,” President Mahama stated, to an enthusiastic reception from the gathered crowd.
He added that “work has already begun with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Education to identify the most feasible model and location.”
This indicates that preliminary planning and feasibility studies are already underway, signalling concrete steps towards fulfilling the pledge.
The president’s address also touched upon the broader economic progress under his administration, following the mid-year budget review presented by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on Thursday.
President Mahama highlighted the significant economic improvements in the past 199 days, including a reduction in public debt from 61.8% of GDP at the end of 2024 to 43.8% by June 2025, a decline in inflation from 23.8% to 13.7% in the same period, and Ghana’s credit rating improving from “junk status to B- with a stable outlook.”
Crucially, he noted the Ghana Cedi’s historic appreciation of over 40% against major international currencies, reversing previous depreciation.
Beyond macroeconomics, the president outlined a comprehensive development agenda tailored for the Oti Region, emphasising its strategic importance as a transit zone.
Infrastructure Development: A strong focus was placed on road and bridge infrastructure. The President assured that the completion of the Nkwanta–Kpassa–Oti Damanko stretch of the critical Eastern Corridor Road would not be delayed. He further announced that several key road projects are in procurement and will commence shortly, including the Construction of the Dambai Bridge, upgrading of the Okadjakrom–Kwamikrom Road, Abotoase–Atonkor Road, Kpasa–Tinjase Road, and Rehabilitation of the Hohoe–Jasikan Road and Nkwanta–Oti Damanko Road. The next phase of road projects for areas like Nkwanta-Dambai and roads in Kete Krachi, Krachi Nchumuru, and Guan districts are also undergoing technical costing. He re-emphasised that all constituencies in Oti are included in the national road upgrade programme. The promise of the Oti River Bridge, which will significantly cut travel time between southern Ghana and the north, also received a renewed commitment, with engineering designs nearing completion.
Healthcare Equity: Acknowledging that Oti is one of the few regions without a regional hospital, President Mahama declared this “unacceptable.” He stated that engagements are actively underway with the Ghana Health Service and development partners to establish a fully equipped regional hospital, offering specialist and emergency care and reducing pressure on facilities in Ho and Tamale. This will be complemented by a Universal Primary Healthcare Programme for broader coverage.
Safe Water and Public Health: To combat the high incidence of typhoid fever, the President announced directives to the Ghana Water Company Limited and Community Water and Sanitation Agency to establish a sustainable water system. He specifically announced the reconstruction of the Damanko/Kpassa water system, serving 13 communities and approximately 65,407 people, at an estimated cost of GH₵37,086,644.96, to be completed within 18 months. Water quality concerns in Bonakye are also being addressed.
Agriculture and Job Creation: The “Irrigation for Wealth Programme (IWP)” is already being implemented in Oti, with 7,200 hectares of irrigated land under development in Biakoye District and Krachi East Municipality. This initiative aims to transform agriculture into a “business of first choice” for the youth.
Civic Infrastructure: The President also addressed the long-delayed completion of the 2-storey Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) Administration Block, directing the relevant Minister to prioritize its completion. The absence of an official residence for the Regional Minister is also being addressed under the Government Accommodation Redevelopment Scheme.
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