The Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) has entered into a landmark Public–Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with DODCARS LBG, an infrastructure development directorate of the College for Community and Organisational Development (CCOD) to address the University’s urgent infrastructure needs.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, welcomed the delegation, noting that the University “is rich in land but poor in infrastructure,” and that Council had given its approval to finalise the arrangement. He explained that the new facilities will help accommodate the growing student population, including over 1,200 postgraduate weekend and sandwich students, and will serve as a key revenue source to support cost recovery under the PPP.
At the brief meeting before the site verification ceremony on 18 September 2025, the CCOD President, Dr. Gabriel Gbiel Benarkuu, led the nine-member delegation, including Mr. Katey C. Adodoadji (Chief Executive Officer of STEELCORE Limited) and Mr. Jude Kwapong (Chief Operating Officer at OTHENIEL Limited), to the Wa Campus for a formal meeting and site inspection. Othniel Ltd is the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) with funding of the financier in Singapore, USA, Turkey, Dubai and Malaysia.
In his remarks, Dr. Benarkuu expressed delight at the agreement, which adopts a Build–Jointly Operate and Transfer (BJOT) model for the construction of two major projects; a three-Storey Hostel Block with a capacity of 47 rooms, each designed to accommodate at least two beds with an enclosed washroom, balcony, a business, a courtyard, a reception area, and an office, estimated at US $3,644,246.93. The two-Storey Lecture Theatre Complex would contain eight lecture halls, twenty-two offices, four lecturers’ common rooms, and seventy-eight lavatories, plus parking lot for 200 vehicles and landscaped surroundings, also estimated at GHS 31,910,778.77.
The COO of OTHNIEL Ltd, assured the University Management of its commitment to fund the projects through PPP-BJOT model with DODCARS as the Mandate organisation.
Management members of the University who were present included Professor Issaka Kanton Osumanu (Pro Vice-Chancellor), Mr. Job Asante (Registrar), Dr. Iddrisu Ngmenipuo Mohammed (Acting Director of Finance), Mr. Desmond Y. Zineyel (Acting Director of Internal Audit), Mr. Ophilius M. Yinyeh (Director of Information Management Services), Mr. Fidelis Z. Tang (Director of University Relations), Mrs. Yvonne Galaa (Assistant Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor), Mr. Sebastian Dakurah (Architect), Mr. Sarfo Gyan (Civil Engineer), and Mr. David Ackah (Estate Officer).
The CCOD-DODCARS and investors delegation also included Arhin Acheampong, Othniel group COO, Ing. Prince Baido, Ing. Alex Kello, Rev. Sr. Doroty Banyog-Enne, Sr. Agatha Igenkwe (HHCJ), Mr. Yahaya Bin Yahaya, James Messan, and Dennis Sa-uri.
The visit ended with both parties expressing optimism that the partnership will significantly enhance student accommodation and lecture infrastructure, while strengthening ties between academia and the private sector.
View more photos of the event.
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Directorate of University Relations
Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies
Wa Campus, Upper West Region, Ghana
+233 392 097 256 / +233 392 097 257
www.ubids.edu.gh
info@ubids.edu.gh | uro@ubids.edu.gh