The Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University (HTU), Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, has appealed to the Government of Ghana to partner the University in scaling up its groundbreaking Baobab research initiative, while also seeking support to address student accommodation challenges and transportation needs.
The appeal was made on Friday, July 17, 2026, when the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, visited HTU as part of his Resetting Ghana Agenda Tour and participated in a Citizens’ Engagement and Town Hall Meeting in Ho. The nationwide engagement provides a platform for the President and his administration to account to citizens on the utilisation of public resources, discuss national development priorities and receive feedback from the public.
Addressing participants, Prof. Honyenuga highlighted one of the University’s most significant research breakthroughs; the Baobab Initiative. He explained that researchers at HTU have successfully developed techniques that enable baobab trees, which traditionally take more than two decades to bear fruit, to begin fruiting in as little as 27 months.
He noted that the innovation has enormous potential for agriculture, nutrition, climate resilience and economic development, particularly for communities in the northern and savannah ecological zones where baobab thrives naturally. The Vice-Chancellor therefore appealed to the Government to support the initiative to facilitate further research, large-scale cultivation and commercialisation for national development.
Prof. Honyenuga also drew the President’s attention to the University’s growing student population and the inadequate hostel facilities available on campus. He explained that many students are compelled to seek accommodation off campus, exposing them to numerous inconveniences that may affect their academic experience. He appealed to Government to support the University in expanding hostel infrastructure to improve student welfare. He further appealed for a functional bus to support the University’s academic, administrative and outreach activities.
Responding to the Vice-Chancellor, President Mahama described the Baobab Initiative as a remarkable scientific breakthrough, stating that reducing the fruiting period of baobab from over 20 years to just 27 months presents significant opportunities for agriculture and agro-industry. He assured the University that the initiative would receive the necessary attention for possible support and expansion.
On the issue of student accommodation, President Mahama acknowledged that inadequate hostel facilities are a challenge confronting many public universities across the country. He disclosed that Government intends to work collaboratively with universities to identify suitable lands for hostel development while partnering with private sector investors to construct additional accommodation facilities. He stressed that appropriate measures would be put in place to ensure that the hostels remain affordable for students.
Responding to the University’s request for transportation support, President Mahama assured the University that arrangements would be made for HTU to receive a fully functional bus by the following week.
As part of his visit, the President toured an exhibition mounted by the Faculty of Art and Design, where he was presented with a sculpture crafted by students of the Faculty. He commended the exhibition, describing it as an excellent demonstration of practical, hands-on learning and creativity.
The President’s visit provided HTU with a valuable opportunity to showcase its research, innovation and academic excellence while engaging Government on key institutional priorities aimed at advancing teaching, learning and national development.