The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive education during its 10th Sandwich Matriculation ceremony, as it welcomed a new cohort of students across its Ho and Hohoe campuses for the 2024/2025 academic year.
A total of **1,230 students**—both undergraduate and postgraduate—were matriculated in a landmark dual-campus ceremony, highlighting the University’s dedication to expanding access to healthcare education for diverse populations. Notably, the institution recorded a **significant gender tilt in favor of women**, with **938 female undergraduates** enrolled compared to 240 males. At the postgraduate level, women again led enrollment with 44 of the 52 entrants.
Vice Chancellor **Professor Lydia Aziato**, presiding over the main event at the Sokode-Lokoe campus, praised the courage and ambition of especially the female and postgraduate students. “Choosing to further your education—especially as a woman in healthcare—sets the tone for national transformation. We are proud to be part of that journey,” she said.
UHAS has historically positioned itself as a leader in promoting equity in education, especially in the health sector where female representation has often been under-acknowledged in leadership and technical roles. The strong female enrollment figures this year reflect the university’s continued efforts to bridge that gap.
One of the most powerful moments from this year’s matriculation was the enrollment of **Mr. Emmanuel Kojo Sackey**, a Level 300 Bachelor of Public Health (Nutrition) student, who became the **first visually impaired student ever admitted** to UHAS. His acceptance into the programme marks a historic milestone and reinforces the University’s vision of building a healthcare education system that is accessible to all—regardless of physical ability.
“Our university must be a place where every aspiring healthcare professional—regardless of gender, background, or physical ability—feels seen, valued, and supported,” said Professor Aziato. “Mr. Sackey’s journey here will inspire change not just in our classrooms but across the nation.”
The matriculation also coincided with the **10th anniversary** of the UHAS Sandwich Programme, which was launched in 2015 to provide diploma and certificate holders—particularly working professionals such as nurses and midwives—with a flexible pathway to earn bachelor’s degrees. This initiative has been instrumental in **widening access for women and non-traditional students**, many of whom balance education with careers and caregiving responsibilities.
At the Fred Newton Binka School of Public Health campus in Hohoe, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, **Professor Frank Edwin**, led the ceremony, echoing the call for student commitment and resilience. Student representatives across both campuses emphasized teamwork, service, and the role of public health education in community transformation.
In her address, **Registrar Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni** and other senior university leaders highlighted the strategic vision of UHAS to promote innovation and inclusion. UHAS remains the only institution in Ghana offering undergraduate degrees in niche healthcare fields such as **Orthotics and Prosthetics** and **Sports and Exercise Medical Sciences**—expanding opportunities for students to specialize in underserved areas of medicine.
As the university prepares to roll out new programmes—including a **Master’s in Nursing Leadership and Management**—it continues to evolve as a driver of inclusive healthcare education in Ghana and beyond.
With its growing student population, diverse academic offerings, and commitment to access, UHAS is not just training healthcare professionals—it is building a system that reflects the diversity and potential of the nation it serves.
