The University of Cape Coast, UCC, is under threat as private developers are taking over the university lands.
The situation is at alarming proportions as measures put in place by the school authorities to end the problem are being completely disregarded.
The University is therefore sending an S.O.S to the relevant bodies to help end the wanton encroachment on the school lands, since it will affect future expansion of the university.
The University of Cape Coast, UCC, was established in October, 1962 on the recommendation of an international commission by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s government in December, 1960.
In 1963, UCC enrolled its first batch of students, numbering one hundred and fifty -five. Land for the University was acquired under compulsory acquisition in 1969 under Executive Instrument EI 87.
The area stretches from the river Kakum between Cape Coast and Elmina, all the way to the DVLA junction to Cape Coast Technical Institute then to the new Cape Coast stadium area, almost to the Ankaful hospital and back to the Kakum river.
The University is currently organized into five Colleges – the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences; College of Humanities and Legal Studies; College of Education Studies; College of Health and Allied Sciences, and College of Distance Education, as well as the College of Education Studies.
Documents from Land Valuation, show that compensation has been fully settled in the majority of claims to some sixty-three families and individuals representing 95 % of identified owners of the land.
The remaining five percent were not compensated as there were either conflicting claims of ownership or records unavailable.
From its initial 155 students, the population of the University today stands at over fifty thousand for both regular and distance education and a staff strength of five thousand plus.
Since its establishment, the University, has had no peace from encroachers.
GBCNEWS visit to the University could see the activities of these encroachers are evident.
Some have simply ignored any boundary indicators and are building right in the acquisition.
Even with this road visibly separating the university from the community, the offenders are not perturbed.
Not even patrols by the university security are deterrent enough. There are over seven thousand unauthorized structures scattered on the university lands.
Massive encroachment is ongoing in the acquisition- with new development projects springing up daily.
The area is also an avenue for palm kernel extraction a Sawmill, and a modern toilet facility sit comfortably at the north east portion of the acquisition.
Authorities are concerned that if this encroachment is not checked, future expansion of the university will be a major headache.
