FROM FORDHAM UNIVERSITY TO KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OFSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NEW YORK.....The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi Ghana, is to receive vintage science books and magazine from the department of Sociology and Anthropology of Fordham University in New York, United States of America.

The books and magazines which are rated number one in the United States are a thirty (30) year collection which has been digitized by the school. Making the presentation through Friends of Ghana, a non-profit organization based in the United States of America, the chairman of the department of sociology and anthropology of Fordham University, Professor Allen .S.Gilbert said “the department is extremely grateful that the books which are of great value has finally gotten to a group that has education as its vision and burden for onward delivery to the KNUST".

The department professor Gilbert intimated will work closely with Friends of Ghana to help other universities and colleges in Ghana to stock their libraries with the needed materials for growth and development.

The facilitator of this donation, Mr Kojo Ampah of the African Cultural Exchange and a student of the university was pleased he has been able to facilitate the deal to enable a university in Ghana where he comes from to benefit.

"I know that the materials will go a long way in the research work of KNUST and help solidify other science projects within the university and Ghana as a whole."

Friends of Ghana have been operating in Ghana since 2005 and have been playing an important role in the area of education, supporting some schools in Ghana with various educational materials.

The president and CEO of Friends of Ghana ,Joseph Johnson was full of praise for Fordham University and the department of sociology and anthropology in particular and says- this will enormously help in shaping up science and technology studies at KNUST and raise standards in science research in the university.

The organization settled on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology due to its role in science education and research in Ghana.

"Trust me. Currently science and Technology is being pursued all over not just because it builds a nation; But it sends a nation into the realm of technological advancement"

Mr Johnson was however quick to add that the challenges of his organization is securing funds on time to ship items it receives for shipment to Ghana. He cited an example of a fire engine for high-rise buildings it received but could not pay for the cost of shipment to Ghana so it is still sitting ideal at the fire station.

He thanked Professor Allen Gilbert for the gesture and hoped for more materials in the future.

The value of the 30year vintage collections is estimated at 350,000.00 us dollars.

Fordham University has recently become a center of African issues and its department of African and African-American Studies in collaboration with the African cultural Exchange will be hosting the first ever Africa week celebration in spring 2010.

In line with the Jesuit principles, the university is leaving "no stone unturned" in ensuring Africans within the university community have a platform for showcasing their culture and strengthening democracy.

Source: EKOW MENSAH-SHALDERS
Development / Accra / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com