The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, has renamed its School of Public Health, Hohoe Campus after Professor Fred Newton Binka, the University’s Foundation Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Binka, prior to joining UHAS in 2012, was the Dean of the School of Public Health, University of Ghana and was instrumental in establishing the Association of Schools of Public Health in Africa (ASPHA)of which he was the founding president in 1992.

Fred N. Binka School of Public Health

The School of Public Health is now referred to as the “Fred N. Binka School of Public Health,” with a sculptured bust unveiled in his honour at the forecourt of the campus.

Prof Binka, addressing the gathering during a ceremony in Hohoe, recounted his childhood, family and professional journey and was grateful to all who played a role in seeing him succeed in life.

He commended all who played vital roles, and their selflessness in the establishment of UHAS and all who were doing great jobs to see the University and its School of Public Health thrive.

Prof Binka noted that there was a need for more collaboration to enable the School of Public Health to expand, grow the population, and to make the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health a destination for Public Health studies.

He said the first goal of his family was to sponsor 10 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students at the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health to augment some of the areas where the school’s strengths were weak.

Also, some equipment for the Ebola laboratory would be donated to the School of Public Health.

Prof Binka said he would, within his networks, solicit resources and establish a chair for accomplished people to raise the profile of the University, which he deemed visible.

He promised to donate the rest of his time to work with faculties and staff of the UHAS and the School of Public Health to raise funds and make sure that they built the scientific basis while developing the structure as well as be creative and spread their nets wider.

Professor John O. Gyapong, Vice-Chancellor, UHAS, noted that the renaming of the School of Public Health after Prof Binka was an honour done to him because of the role he played in the establishment of UHAS.

He said Prof Binka was a man who left his comfort zone and impacted the vulnerable populations and was useful at the inception of UHAS.

UHAS Faculty & Students

Prof Gyapong noted that UHAS and Fred N. Binka School of Public Health had been growing with 40 full-time lecturers at the school and other lecturers serving part-time, while student enrolment stood at 1,997, Sandwich students 913, Masters 38 and PhD 17.

Professor Paul Amuna, Dean of the School, noted that Prof Binka’s passion for UHAS and the School of Public Health “goes beyond any doubt.”

He said although there were plans for the school to build its permanent campus at Fodome, there were plans to build its presence at the original site, Hohoe.

Dr Charity Binka, Wife of Prof Binka on behalf of their children, described him as hardworking, passionate, selfless, committed, dedicated, and believed in his vision.

As Foundation Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Prof Binka oversaw the establishment of the initial, major infrastructural projects in the University, including the School of Public Health in Hohoe, where he continues to teach, mentor and lead as a research professor in clinical epidemiology in his retirement years.

His passion for public health and his desire to see the establishment of an internationally recognised Fred N. Binka School of Public Health fueled his continued involvement in developing the school and expanding its portfolio, including the establishment of the MPH, MPhil and PhD programmes which were rapidly gaining recognition.

Prof Binka is currently mentoring postgraduate students and staff and leading the establishment of strong international partnerships to bring inward investments to support the next stage of the school’s growth.

As an internationally renowned expert in his field, Prof Binka has published widely and served on various peer-reviewed journals’ editorial boards.