Abstract:

This study has sought to critically investigate the relevance of the academic work (i.e., academic programmes and research) of University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale to contemporary development needs of Ghana using as proxy the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs, 2015-2030). As a member country of UN, Ghana is mandated to achieve the SDGs by 2030, and the role of higher education is indispensable or pivotal in this light. The study is largely qualitative with descriptive statistics. Both primary and secondary data have been used. Using key informant interview, primary data was gathered from the Deans of Academic Affairs and Research, and University’s Public Relations Officer. The results showed that UDS, as the first ever Public University in Northern Ghana which was established in 1992, has produced credible and quality research output to inform development policy formulation, and quality human resource to support effective administration and/or implementation of development policies. For instance, two-third of development planning officers working in the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the Northern Sector of Ghana were trained in UDS or are alumni of UDS. These findings constituted a fulfilment of its mandate as a pro-poor University, which is working assiduously in research and training of quality human resources to boost Ghana’s efforts to attain the sustainable development goals. To a large extent, UDS is truly development-oriented. In conclusion, therefore, Government of Ghana and benevolent private organizations and individuals should intensify assistance to UDS to beef-up its physical infrastructure and financial resources to boost its role in Ghana’s efforts to attain the SDGs.

Keywords:

UDS, Sustainable development, SDGs, Ghana, Higher Education, Tamale, Northern Region.