Aliu Commissions Hostel for Methodist University

Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Saturday commissioned a 7.2 billion-cedi hostel for the Methodist University College with a pledge that the Government would maintain a healthy partnership with the Church to provide quality education and skills that would meet Ghana's manpower needs.

In line with this, the Vice President said the Government would provide the requisite support that would make the operations of private tertiary education institutions easier, while pursuing the amendment to the GETFUND law to make them beneficiaries of the fund.

Vice President Mahama the assurance that very soon, accredited private universities as well as the Ghana Institute of Journalism and the National Film and Television Institute receive buses to alleviate their transportation problems as the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports was selecting a company to procure the buses. "The gesture is in recognition of the invaluable role of private tertiary institutions in helping to develop the country's manpower," he explained. "Indeed, but for the support of these institutions the pressure for placement at public universities and other tertiary institutions would have been unbearable."

He cited the hostel as a good example of the contribution of non-public institutions, saying, the facility would be beneficial to the entire nation and advised the students to take good care of it. .. The 400-capacity hostel sited at Dansoman for the Accra Campus of the Methodist University was initiated by the Lay Movement of the Church and financed with a three billion cedi loan from the National Investment Bank and donations from members and philanthropists. The student population is about 200.

The Vice President commended the Methodist Church for producing some of the finest professionals, intellectuals and statesmen. "President J.A. Kufuor, Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations and the late Professor K.A. Busia, Prime Minster in the Second Republic, to mention only a few passed through Methodist educational institutions," he noted.

Mr Ato Essuman, President of the Lay President of Methodist Conference, talked about the difficulties faced in securing funds for the project but said they were overcome with determination and unity of purpose.

He thanked those who supported the project to its successful completion.

The Very Reverend Dr Robert Aboagye-Mensah, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Conference dedicated the building to the glory of God. The leadership of the Church attended the ceremony, also present were Sheikh I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister and Mr. Joe Donkor, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports.