Stakeholders Forum On KNUST-Obuasi Campus Held In Obuasi

A stakeholders forum on the newly established KNUST-Obuasi campus has been held in Obuasi.

The forum which was held on the proposed campus of the University brought together Nananom, the Clergy, MMDCEs, Member of Parliament for the Obuasi East Constituency, Officials of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Media.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi Municipal who also doubles as the Chairman on the Knust Obuasi campus Establishment Committee seized the opportunity to brief Stakeholders on the processes leading to the establishment of the University campus.

He lauded the efforts by mining giant AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited to make the University dream a reality. He said AGAG's contributions in providing the facilities for the campus and also donating GH250000 towards its renovation cannot be overemphasized.

Honorable Adansi-Bonah again recounting his personal efforts and that of his colleague District Chief Executive for Obuasi East, Honorable Faustina Amissah said, their incessant pressure led to the swift interventions of former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Honorable John Peter Amawu and his immediate successor Honorable Asumah Kyeremeh to sign the Assets Relinquishment Agreement of Anglogold Ashanti to release the facilities for the University project.

Whilst asking the people of Obuasi and Adansi to own the University and help protect the facilities there, the Obuasi MCE again appealed to stakeholders to put their Shoulders to the wheel to make sure the University succeeds.

A representative of Anglogold Ashanti Ghana, Mr. Edmond Oduro Agyei said after feasibility studies conducted by the company in 2014, a key consideration was made to restructure the local economy of Obuasi towards a sustainable future. This he said resulted in a Social Management Plan which among other things proposed the establishment of a University in Obuasi to support the local economy.

He added that " a proposal was further made in 2014 to the Government of Ghana and recommendations made to the usage and ownership of AGA's facilities in our North Mine which now houses the University ".

He assured of AGA's commitment to further support the process till it comes to fruition and again pledged their resolve to make sure the communities which AGA operates in, are better off.

Revealing the nature of courses that would be taught at the school, the Dean of Students of the Knust-Obuasi campus, Professor Richard Boamah said, a total of eleven (11) first degree courses made up of seven (7) engineering courses in Mechanical engineering, Materials engineering, Civil engineering, Electrical engineering, Electrical engineering, Metallurgical engineering and Geomatics Engineering.

In Business Administration, Professor Boamah mentioned Finance and Marketing, Accounting and Logistics and Supply Chain as well as a course in Environmental Science as the courses that will be offered in the school.

He again said the University is estimating a total of 500 students to start school on Friday, 13th September 2019, the reopening day and called for the total support of stakeholders especially in providing the necessary security for the students and properties of the school.

In terms of quality of tuition and professionalism, the Dean of Students of the Obuasi campus assured stakeholders gathered that the University has always prioritized quality University education and promise to extend same to the Obuasi campus.

The Member of Parliament for the Obuasi East Constituency, Honorable Dr. Patrick Boakye-Yiadom and other speakers on the day assured of their unflinching support to the School.