$92 Million Deal to Revive UEAS Project

President John Dramani Mahama has secured a $92 million financing agreement with a Korean contractor to commence construction of the long-delayed University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (UEAS), marking a significant step in Ghana’s effort to expand specialised tertiary education and boost agricultural innovation.

The agreement, confirmed in early April 2026, is expected to unlock stalled works on the flagship university project, which had faced prolonged delays due to financing constraints linked to Ghana’s debt restructuring programme.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu indicated that the newly secured funding will ensure the completion of the institution and enable construction to resume in earnest after months of inactivity.

The University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences is a multi-campus project designed to bridge Ghana’s skills gap in critical sectors. The main campus will be located at Bunso in the Eastern Region, with additional campuses planned for Kenyasi in the Ashanti Region and Acherensua in the Ahafo Region.

Originally initiated under the previous administration, the project was conceived as a strategic investment in human capital development. However, construction stalled after the country entered a debt exchange programme, leaving outstanding payments to contractors and slowing progress on site.

With the financing now secured, government officials say the project will move forward toward its intended operational timeline, with an initial intake of approximately 800 students expected once the university opens.

The UEAS is expected to operate as an autonomous institution, focusing on engineering and agricultural sciences, while also promoting applied research and innovation. Authorities believe the university will play a critical role in modernising Ghana’s agricultural sector, where outdated farming methods continue to limit productivity and efficiency.

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, contributing between 20 and 26 percent of GDP and employing nearly half of the workforce. However, experts note that improving productivity requires a stronger integration of science, technology and data-driven farming practices, an area the new university is specifically designed to address.

Beyond education, the project is also expected to generate short-term employment during construction and long-term economic benefits through research, innovation and industry collaboration. Government officials have highlighted the institution’s potential to drive food security, enhance industrial competitiveness and support Ghana’s broader development agenda.

The agreement also underscores deepening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and South Korea, particularly in infrastructure development and education financing. Earlier phases of the project were supported by Korean funding institutions, including the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund.

As construction resumes, attention will shift to governance and institutional setup. The President is expected to constitute a governing council to oversee policy direction, financial management and strategic partnerships for the university.

The revival of the UEAS project is being framed as part of a broader national push to align higher education with industry needs, particularly in sectors critical to economic transformation.

If successfully executed, the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences is expected to emerge as a specialised hub for innovation; positioning Ghana to better respond to the challenges of food security, technological advancement and sustainable development.