VALCO Trust Hall, the sole graduate student hall of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has been given a massive facelift.

The renovation works saw the fitting of all washrooms, replacement of wash basins, repair of leaking ceilings, and refitting of all kitchens.

The rest are the provision of temporary emergency lighting, the addition of new bath and toilet cubicles, as well as polishing and painting of all internal and external wall surfaces.

The renovated hall is expected to provide a conducive and inclusive space for graduate students.

Appreciation

Commenting on the rationale for the renovation, the Hall Master, Prof. Stephen Ocansey, said the renovation came on the heels of a proposal by the Hall Management to the University Management in April 2023 to address the deteriorating condition of the hall and ensure it was in line with the standards befitting graduate students.

The proposal, according to him, was also aimed at expanding the initial renovation scope of the washrooms to a full-scale overhaul of the hall's facilities.

"The renovations were necessary to uplift the status of the hall and provide a conducive living environment for our graduate students. We are grateful to the University Management for their support and the loan facility extended to cover the renovation costs. The loan will be repaid by the hall from its proceeds", Prof. Ocansey noted.

He commended the management of the University for the facelift.

The Hall Master called on all graduate students to care for the hall to prolong its lifespan.

For his part, the President of the Graduate Students Association of UCC and a member of the Hall Management Board, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, expressed satisfaction with the completed work.

"The VALCO Trust Hall now truly befits the status of graduate students at our university", he said.

Valco Trust Hall

The VALCO Trust Hall, formally known as the VALCO Trust Fund Graduate Hostel, was constructed with funds from the VALCO Trust Fund to alleviate the accommodation challenges faced by graduate students at UCC. Before its establishment, graduate students were housed in traditional halls of residence. The increasing number of graduate students due to the expansion of graduate programmes necessitated the need for a dedicated hall.

Commissioned on January 29, 2003, by Dr. J.A. Bukoo-Allotey, on behalf of the VALCO Trust Fund's Board of Trustees, the hall was a significant milestone in the University's history.

The hall is designed to accommodate 120 graduate students, with an equal split between male and female residents.

The hall's mission is to provide a well-maintained and community-oriented facility where residents and staff are empowered to learn, innovate, and succeed. Its vision is to become a first-class accommodation facility on UCC campus.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC