The Evangelical Presbyterian University College (EPUC) in Ho is grappling with serious financial difficulties due to declining student enrolment and persistent non-payment of fees.

“Non-payment of school fees has also been identified as a major challenge, and some students have managed to evade fee payment over the years,” the President of EPUC, Professor Kenneth Nyalemegbe, revealed.

He made the disclosure at the university college’s 17th graduation ceremony held at Ho-Kpodzi on Saturday, March 28, a day after he assumed office as the institution’s fourth President.

Professor Nyalemegbe said the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), had recently intervened to clear a substantial debt incurred by the university college after it contracted a loan from the National Investment Bank and a private company to construct a classroom block.

He noted that management was taking steps to stabilise the institution’s finances by exploring alternative revenue streams.

“There is also an ongoing discussion with the EPCG authorities to institute budgetary allocation, to support the university college,” Professor Nyalemegbe added.

As part of efforts to improve its financial position, the university college is considering investments in agriculture and related ventures.

Professor Nyalemegbe disclosed that a proposal had been developed to support sustainable income generation through agricultural production, including high-value vegetable crops for both local consumption and export.

The proposed initiatives include greenhouse farming, cassava production for factories, mushroom and snail farming, beekeeping, and poultry production.

In all, 242 students graduated with degrees and diplomas in various disciplines, including Agribusiness, Animal Science, Crop and Soil Science, Environmental Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Governance Studies, and Basic Education.

Other fields included English, French, Christian Ministry and Leadership, Music Studies, Business, Business Administration, and Corporate Secretaryship.

Out of the total number, 24 students graduated from the School of Graduate Studies with Master of Business Administration degrees in Human Resource Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Accounting.

The Chairman of the EPUC Council, Dr G. M. Afeti, acknowledged the financial challenges but said more than 70 per cent of the university college’s graduates were in full-time employment.

He emphasised that although EPUC was established as a Christian institution, it remained open to students of all faiths and backgrounds.

Dr Afeti renewed the university’s appeal to the government, through the GETFund, for financial support to help stabilise its operations.

He also advised graduates to avoid ethical and religious bigotry and to strive for excellence in their careers.

A representative of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Mrs Sarah Darkwa, urged graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they had acquired to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Similarly, a representative of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Rebecca Akpanglo-Nartey, reminded them that academic qualifications alone were insufficient without practical impact.