The University for Development Studies (UDS) is to introduce the study of forensic science as a major course in the university.
The study of forensic science at the UDS, which would be the first in any tertiary institution in the country, would make the justice system, particularly the criminal justice aspect, more purposeful and responsive.
Dr. Abdulai Salifu, Chairman of the UDS Governing Council, said this at the inauguration of the council in Tamale on Thursday.
Members of the 14-member council include Dr. Steven Ayidiya, Kumbu-na Naa Abu Iddi, Hajia Fati Siedu, Prof Thomas Bayorbor, Prof Sagary Nokoe and Chief Awudu Abukari.
Dr. Salifu said "As Ghana gets more democratic with the rule of law as one of the pillars, so will there be the need for the justice system, particularly the criminal justice aspect, to be made more purposeful and responsive".
On the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for the UDS, Dr. Salifu said the Council would not compromise on the key criteria of academic excellence and managerial acumen in the search for a substantive Vice-chancellor.
He said such credentials were not easy to come by and appealed to the UDS community and other interested parties not to stampede the council into making any rash appointment.
Dr. Joseph Annan, a Deputy Minister of Education, said although some significant strides had been made in the provision of infrastructure for the UDS, these had been rendered inadequate relative to the high demand for student accommodation.
He said the government would continue to build adequate infrastructure for the UDS.
Prof Kaku Sagary Nokoe, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the UDS, said the present undergraduate student population of the university stood at 10,500 with 52 percent based at the Wa campus.
He said a shift in the increased population for science-based courses would require government policy-backing and massive government intervention in infrastructure, equipment and support towards recruitment of staff.