Speaker Bagbin Pledges Support for UBIDS Growth as University Secures Pre-Bar Programme Approval

The University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) has reached a major milestone in its academic expansion, receiving official approval to run a one-year pre-Bar programme while garnering high-level support from the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. Speaking at a recent graduation ceremony, the Speaker lauded the institution for its resilience and steady growth despite significant infrastructural hurdles. This endorsement comes as the university solidifies its position as a hub for professional training in Northern Ghana, graduating 70 law students and 298 postgraduate students during the latest session, affirming its commitment to academic excellence and professionalism.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile announced that UBIDS is now among 19 institutions recognized by the General Legal Council under the Legal Education Act, 2026, to implement the pre-Bar initiative. This development is expected to significantly lower barriers for aspiring legal professionals in the region and enhance access to professional training. The university’s law faculty has already demonstrated strong academic performance, with 28 out of 42 candidates from its first cohort successfully advancing to further legal studies. Speaker Bagbin echoed the importance of these reforms, advocating for a legal education system that removes unnecessary obstacles for students while maintaining rigorous professional standards.

Addressing the university's "winner" spirit, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the institutional struggles with inadequate facilities but assured the management of forthcoming government intervention. He revealed plans for seed funding to assist distressed public universities, including UBIDS, to help bridge the infrastructure gap and alleviate financial pressures. Furthermore, the Speaker highlighted strategic partnerships, such as a collaboration with the Medical University of Ajman, to bolster academic offerings. These initiatives are part of a broader vision to establish a School of Medical Sciences and a robust School of Law, ensuring the university meets the diverse educational needs of the country.

The graduation of nearly 300 postgraduate students further underscores UBIDS's growing influence in the higher education landscape. As the institution prepares to launch its new legal and medical programmes, the promised financial and administrative support from Parliament and the executive will be critical to its success. By expanding access to professional education and addressing historical infrastructure deficits, UBIDS is poised to play a transformative role in the socio-economic development of Northern Ghana and the nation at large.