In a renewed demonstration of institutional partnership and shared responsibility for community safety, the Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Seidu Al-hassan, has paid a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, at the Northern Regional Police Headquarters in Tamale.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Registrar of the University, Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, while DCOP Lavoe received the delegation together with senior police officers from the Northern Regional Command and the Tamale Metropolitan Police Command.

Welcoming the opportunity to engage the Police Command at the highest regional level, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan expressed profound appreciation for the longstanding relationship between UDS and the Ghana Police Service.

“We are here not only to pay a courtesy call but to reaffirm our deep appreciation for the professionalism and support the Police Service has consistently extended to the University over the years,” the Vice-Chancellor stated. “Security is fundamental to academic excellence. Without a safe and peaceful environment, teaching, research and learning cannot thrive.”

He commended the Northern Regional Command for its responsiveness to security concerns on and around UDS campuses, particularly the Tamale Campus, and called for a deliberate strengthening of the existing partnership.

“We believe the time has come to elevate this collaboration to a more strategic level,” he added. “UDS is expanding, and with growth comes new responsibilities. We look forward to working even more closely with the Police Service to ensure the safety of our students, staff and surrounding communities.”

In a robust and engaging discussion, senior police officers took turns to outline key areas where collaboration between UDS and the Police Service could be deepened. They highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, intelligence sharing, community policing initiatives, and capacity-building engagements between the University and the Command.

A major proposal that emerged during the meeting was the request for the University to construct a more permanent and modern structure at the current police post located on the Tamale Campus.

According to the officers, such a structure would not only enhance immediate security operations but would also position the facility for future upgrade into a fully-fledged District Police Station.

“With the growth of the University and the surrounding communities, the current police post is no longer adequate,” one of the senior officers noted. “If a more permanent structure is put in place, it will provide a strong foundation for converting it into a District Police Station in the future, which will significantly improve response time and operational effectiveness.”

The proposal was met with thoughtful consideration from the University delegation, who acknowledged the strategic importance of proactive infrastructure planning in supporting long-term security objectives.

In his remarks, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and his team for the visit, describing it as both timely and symbolic.

“I am particularly honoured by this visit,” DCOP Lavoe said. “As an alumnus of the University for Development Studies, I take matters concerning the security and wellbeing of the University very personally.”

He reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to prioritizing security issues affecting UDS and assured the delegation of continued vigilance and cooperation.

“The University is not just an institution; it is part of who we are as a region,” he added. “Its stability and growth directly impact the development of the Northern Region. We will continue to give security concerns relating to UDS the highest level of attention.”

Beyond campus security, DCOP Lavoe appealed to the University to leverage its extensive networks, partnerships and influence to support the Northern Regional Police Command in its infrastructure development drive.

“We have plans to construct a modern multipurpose building to enhance our operational efficiency, training capacity and public engagement,” he revealed. “We believe the University, with its strong connections and development-oriented philosophy, can play a key advocacy and facilitation role in helping us realize this vision.”

The meeting concluded on a note of mutual respect, shared responsibility and forward-looking optimism. Both institutions acknowledged that security is not merely an enforcement issue but a collaborative endeavour that requires institutional synergy.

For UDS, the visit reinforces its commitment to stakeholder engagement and proactive partnership-building in support of its academic mission. For the Northern Regional Police Command, it signals a strengthened alliance with one of the region’s most important educational institutions.

The courtesy call underscores a broader truth: that the safety of students, staff and communities depends on deliberate collaboration between academia and law enforcement. By deepening this relationship, UDS and the Northern Regional Police Command have taken a significant step toward ensuring a secure and enabling environment for development, learning and regional progress.

Story by:
Ayuba Ibrahim
UDS Media