By: Abdul Hayi MOOMEN
What began in 1992 as a bold vision rooted in humility and national service has, over 33 years, blossomed into one of Africa’s most remarkable academic institutions – The University for Development Studies (UDS).
Born from a dream and seeded by the prize money from an international leadership award presented to Ghana’s then-President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, UDS has become a beacon of hope, resilience and innovation in higher education, particularly in northern Ghana.
A humble beginning, a powerful legacy
At its inception, UDS stood alone at Nyankpala in the Northern Region with a single faculty – the Faculty of Agriculture – charged with addressing food security and development issues through research and hands-on training. Few could have imagined that this modest beginning would spark a revolution in tertiary education across northern Ghana.
As the years unfolded the university rapidly expanded, establishing additional campuses in Wa (Upper West Region), Navrongo (Upper East Region) and within Tamale itself. The Tamale City Campus, developed from a repurposed administrative complex near Tamale Technical University, stands as a testament to UDS’s resourcefulness and commitment to community-based growth.
Autonomy and expansion: a turning point
In 2018, under the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Wa and Navrongo Campuses were elevated to full-fledged autonomous universities: the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) and the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) respectively.
This decision, while a nod to UDS’success, also came with a presidential pledge to support infrastructure development at the Nyankpala Campus.
The silver jubilee building: a symbol of progress
Fulfilling that promise, the Silver Jubilee Building was commissioned. This architectural marvel – initiated by UDS’ 4th Vice-Chancellor Prof. Gabriel Ayum Teye and completed under the leadership of current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan – stands as a proud symbol of institutional growth. Housing spacious lecture theatres, staff offices, modern ICT labs and conference facilities, the building has played a pivotal role in accommodating the surge in student numbers caused by the Free Senior High School policy.
With its enhanced capacity, UDS recently introduced several new programmes including the long-awaited Faculty of Law that admitted over 120 students in its maiden year. This marks a significant stride in diversifying academic offerings and meeting national developmental needs.
A philosophy that transforms: the TTFPP experience
Central to UDS’ uniqueness is its pioneering Third Trimester Field Practical Programme (TTFPP). This model sends students into rural communities during their third trimester to undertake development projects and gain firsthand experience in community engagement.
Over three decades, TTFPP has equipped UDS graduates with a deep understanding of Ghana’s socio-economic fabric; making them more adaptable, solution-oriented and willing to serve in underserved areas.
Academic excellence and global recognition
The impact of UDS’ innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. In the latest Times Higher Education rankings, UDS was ranked 35th in Africa, 10th in West Africa and, impressively, 3rd in Ghana – surpassing expectations and proving that a university’s strength lies in its relevance, resilience and reach.
The university’s academic achievements stretch across fields from agriculture and climate resilience to public health and entrepreneurship. UDS scholars are shaping policy and improving lives through groundbreaking research.
Alumni now occupy strategic positions in academia, civil service and international organisations.
UDS and sporting glory
UDS has also carved a niche in sports. The university has over the years produced top athletes and footballers who have represented Ghana at international events.
In 2024, the UDS men’s football team won the African Universities Soccer Competition held in Lagos, Nigeria – an incredible feat that qualified them to represent Africa at the upcoming World Universities Football Tournament in China this September.
Track and field athletes from UDS have also donned national colours in tournaments like the All-African Games and Commonwealth Games, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to holistic student development.
Innovation and entrepreneurship: growing future leaders
Through its Business Innovation and Incubation Centre (BIIC), UDS is empowering students to become job creators rather than job seekers. Several student-led startups have emerged from this initiative, gaining recognition and winning awards at prestigious competitions like the Ghana StartUp Summit, National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP) pitch series and the Hult Prize.
The UDS Africa leadership lecture series
A key intellectual and visionary platform is the annual UDS Africa Leadership Lecture Series, established to engage the continent in critical dialogue about leadership, governance and development.
Distinguished African leaders such as H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Festus Mogae of Botswana and Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires of Cape Verde among others have graced this platform, offering thought-provoking reflections on the continent’s trajectory.
The lecture series 7th edition is slated for Friday, April 25, 2025 and promises to continue this tradition of excellence and continental discourse. It will be addressed by Her Majesty, Queen Nozizwe Mulela of Eswatini.
Planning the future
As a human institution, UDS is not without its flaws. However, one of its hallmarks is the responsiveness of its leadership in addressing challenges promptly; be they infrastructural, administrative or academic. The university has never shied away from owning its mistakes and implementing reforms where necessary.
Looking ahead, UDS is advancing plans to establish new campuses in Gbanyamli, a fast-developing suburb of Tamale, and Yendi in the Northern Region. These expansions are aimed at easing congestion and improving access to higher education for communities in northern Ghana and beyond.
A legacy still unfolding
From a lone campus in Nyankpala funded by a leadership award to a multi-campus university with global recognition, UDS has stayed true to its mission: using practical, demand-driven education to drive national development. Its journey mirrors Ghana’s own story of resilience, hope and transformation.
As it celebrates 33 years of shaping minds and transforming communities, the University for Development Studies remains not only an academic institution but also a living testimony to what visionary leadership, commitment to development and community engagement can achieve.
The story of UDS is far from over, but what a glorious story it has already become.
