the initial plan was to upgrade the presbyterian training college at akropong to a full-fledged university like fourah bay college but that did no come into fruition. more than a century and a half later, the synod of the presbyterian church during its 1996 conference voted to establish an actual university culminating in the setting up of an implementation committee in 1998. the university sought to augment higher education services to meet to increasing demand for college education. despite its religious affiliation, the university college welcome students of all backgrounds, ethnicity, religion and geography. the school runs a fee-paying, multi-campus, residential or hostel system in partnership with private enterprise. its academic programs are in humanities and social sciences, particularly theology, language and mission studies. the school also offers programs in science and technology including health sciences, medicine, dentistry and nursing.