The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sagnarigu, Hon. Abdulai Imoro Gong, has reaffirmed governmentβs commitment to strengthening tertiary education and youth empowerment, as he represented the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, as Guest of Honour at the April 2026 graduation ceremony of the University for Development Studies (UDS).
The colourful ceremony, held at the Multipurpose Auditorium of the Tamale Campus on Saturday, 25 April, 2026, brought together university management, traditional authorities, parents, graduands, and other distinguished guests to celebrate academic excellence and achievement.
Delivering the Ministerβs address, Hon. Gong conveyed warm greetings from the Government of Ghana and commended UDS for its sustained contributions to national development, particularly in the Northern Region. He described the occasion as a celebration of perseverance, discipline, and excellence, marking years of dedication by students, faculty, and families.
A major highlight of the address was the recognition of UDSβs recent global success, having emerged victorious at the . The MCE described the achievement as historic, not only for the university but for Ghana and the African continent, noting that it underscores the importance of holistic education that balances academics with extracurricular excellence.
He further praised the university for its growing reputation in teaching quality, research, and innovation, stating that its recognition among the top institutions in Ghana reflects a strong culture of resilience and forward-thinking leadership.
Hon. Gong also highlighted recent infrastructural developments on campus, including the commissioning of four major projects by the Paramount Chief of the Sagnarigu Traditional Area, Naa, Ambassador Yakubu Abdulai. The projects including a Nursing and Midwifery Complex, Twin Oval Auditorium, Science Laboratory Complex, and a Dental Clinic were described as transformative investments aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and service delivery to the wider community.
βThese facilities are not just structures; they are critical investments in Ghanaβs future,β he noted, adding that government remains committed to expanding educational infrastructure to support institutions like UDS in bridging regional development gaps.
The MCE used the platform to commend parents, guardians, lecturers, and university administrators for their unwavering support and dedication in nurturing the graduands. He described lecturers as βunsung heroesβ whose contributions are instrumental to the success of students.
Addressing the graduating class, Hon. Gong congratulated them on their achievement while urging them to view graduation not as an end, but as the beginning of a new journey. He encouraged them to embrace innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurship in navigating the increasingly competitive global landscape.
He further highlighted governmentβs 24-hour economy policy as a strategic initiative aimed at expanding job opportunities and boosting productivity, particularly for the youth. He, however, challenged the graduands to go beyond job-seeking and focus on job creation, stressing that entrepreneurship remains key to national transformation.
βGhana needs thinkers, builders, and problem-solvers, and you are the generation to lead that charge,β he emphasized.
The MCE also urged the graduates to uphold the values of integrity, community engagement, and service instilled by UDS, and to serve as worthy ambassadors of both the university and the nation.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Alhassan reaffirmed UDSβs commitment to continuous improvement, with plans to further invest in infrastructure, expand academic programmes, and strengthen research and partnerships.
As degrees were conferred, he expressed confidence in the graduatesβ ability to make meaningful contributions to society.
βGo out there and make us proud,β he charged, adding that the University remains focused on becoming a globally competitive and locally relevant institution.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed call for collaboration between government, academia, and traditional leadership to sustain the growth and impact of higher education in Ghana.
The April 2026 congregation of UDS once again showcased the institutionβs pivotal role in shaping human capital and driving development across the country.