By Dennis Peprah
Kenyasi Number Two, July 25, GNA – The Government has earmarked GH¢50 million for the full operationalisation of the Kenyasi Number Two Campus of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in the Ahafo Region.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education, announced this when he commissioned the university campus at Kenyasi Number Two in the Asutifi North District.
The campus project was initiated by the Kenyasi Number Two Traditional Council, while the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) financed the construction of a four-storey lecture block for the commencement of academic activities.
Constructed at a cost of more than GH¢13.9 million, the facility comprises eight lecture halls, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory, modern furniture and an elevator.
NADeF also presented a Toyota Hilux pickup vehicle to the university.
Mr Iddrisu said the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) was procuring buses for educational institutions and assured that the Kenyasi Number Two Campus of UMaT would benefit from the distribution.
He commended the chiefs and people of the area for supporting the establishment of the campus and urged students to take advantage of the opportunity to pursue academic excellence.
Responding to an appeal from the traditional authorities, the Minister pledged to facilitate the expansion of infrastructure at the Kenyasi Number Two OLA Girls Senior High School.
He said the Government would rehabilitate the school’s dormitories, construct laboratories and provide it with a new bus.
Mr Iddrisu also lauded Newmont Ghana Gold Limited for its sustained support for community development through NADeF and urged the company to increase its contribution to the Foundation.
“Making optimum and judicious use of the resources, Newmont must adjust its US$1 contribution from every ounce of gold sold and one per cent of annual pre-tax net profit committed to the Foundation,” he said.
Mr Alex Kofi Annin, General Manager of the Ahafo South Mine of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, said the company believed that the true value of mining should be measured by the lives it improved and the opportunities it created for sustainable development.
He said many employees of the Ahafo South Mine were graduates of UMaT and currently occupied positions as underground and surface mine managers, technical services managers, health and safety professionals and other key roles.
“Their careers reflect the strong academic and professional foundation that UMaT provides,” he said.
Mr Annin said, together with its host communities, NADeF had pursued a deliberate strategy to strengthen education and skills development in the Ahafo Region through investment in training and critical infrastructure.
He said key investments included the Ntotroso College of Nursing, the Kenyasi Police Training School and the proposed College of Education being championed by the Kenyasi Number One Traditional Council.
Professor Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of NADeF, explained that the Foundation was funded through Newmont’s commitment of US$1 from every ounce of gold sold and one per cent of its annual pre-tax net profit from the Ahafo Mine.
He said the Foundation prioritised community participation, ownership and independent governance, guided by the principles of integrity, respect, stewardship, participation, inclusiveness and transparency.
Odeneho Dadeako Nsiah Ababio, Paramount Chief of the Kenyasi Number Two Traditional Area, commended the Government for supporting the establishment of the UMaT campus and appealed for expanded infrastructure development at the Kenyasi Number Two OLA Girls Senior High School.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]