The University of Professional Studies (UPSA) is a public university in Accra, Ghana that was formerly known as the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS).
The main campus is located in East Legon, a peaceful and well-developed suburb of Accra, the capital city of Ghana.
Established in 1965 as a private professional business education college, UPSA was the first university in Ghana to provide both academic and business professional education. It was taken over by the government in 1978 and now has a student body of around 11,000 students, teaching in three main areas: business development and skills training, research and community service and teaching and learning.
The surrounding area of the university boasts a wide array of restaurants and shopping centres for students’ convenience. The campus is also equipped with a full medical clinic, a canteen for students, a state-of-the-art five-storey library complex, counselling services, and a hostel for students within walking distance.
Home to over 2.2 million people, Accra is a modern metropolis with architecture that reflects its history. It served as the capital of the British Gold Coast between 1877 and 1957, with the remaining 19th Century colonial architecture in contrast with contemporary skyscrapers. East Legon has a great shopping scene, with many boutiques, convenience stores, book shops and the main shopping centre.
Widely considered one of Africa’s safest cities, there are a number of public and private universities. UPSA’s chancellor is currently Professor Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey.
The university has decided to rename itself after its founder and first director, Nana Opoku Ampomah. The UPSA will then be known as the known as the Opoku Ampomah University of Professional Studies (OAUPS) when the process is complete.