The two-storey complex, to aid in quality teaching and research, would be financed from ISSER's Internally Generated Fund.

It will have 20 offices, a 40 to 50-seater research library, a 50-seater computer lab and other social facilities, including a gymnasium.

The construction will span 18 months and expected to be ready by May 2021.

Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in a speech read on his behalf, said the University approved ISSER's application in 2017 for permission to undertake the project.

Another approval was given in August 2019 when Antarctic Contract Works Limited, a construction firm, won the tender to build the facility.

He commended the leadership of ISSER for the prudent management of its resources from which they would solely fund the project.

The Vice-Chancellor lauded the Institute for its dedication and continuous commitment towards providing quality teaching, research and dissemination.

The dissemination of research outputs and flagship publications by ISSER such as the State of the Ghanaian Economy and the Social Development Outlook has enhanced the interface between the University and its stakeholders.

This has also made the Institute paramount in the University's strategic objective to become a research-intensive university.

He said the completion of the project would create an improved enabling environment for the execution of ISSER's mandate.

Prof. Oduro Owusu urged the Physical Development and Municipal Services Directorate (PDMSD), the supervising agent, to ensure that the project was executed to the highest standards and completed on time.

He said Management should keep a close eye on every stage of the project's implementation to ensure it got real value for money.

Prof. Peter Quartey, the Director of ISSER, said the idea to construct the facility was conceived in 2016 due to the increasing number of staff and students, which called for extra space in terms of library, computer lab, and offices, among others.

He called on PDMSD to ensure that the deadline for the construction was met and gave the assurance that funds would be used judiciously to ensure the completion of the project.

Mr Charles Kofinti, the Director of PDMSD, said the outfit would ensure that the contractor adhered to all rules and regulations to produce quality work.

Mr Kwame Dankwah, Contractor, Antarctic Contract Works Limited, expressed his appreciation to the University Management for accepting the bid to undertake the project.

He pledged his company's commitment to completing the work on time and said it would cooperate with Management to make it a success.

There was a tree planting exercise at the construction grounds by Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs), and Prof Samuel Agyei Mensah, Provost for the College of Humanities.

Others who joined in the exercise were Prof Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER, assisted by Prof Felix Asante, immediate past ISSER Director, and Prof Michael Tagoe, Acting Provost of the College of Education.