By Dennis Peprah
Kenyasi Number Two, (Ahafo), July 25, GNA-The government has spent over GHC900 million, under the “No Stress Free” policy, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education has said.
President John Dramani Mahama launched the “No Fees Stress” policy on July 4, 2025 to cover the academic user fees for first-year students in public tertiary schools.
Mr Iddrisu disclosed this when he commissioned the Kenyasi Number Two campus of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), is a public university specializing in mining, engineering, and technology education in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.
Initiated by the Kenyasi Number Two Traditional Council, the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF) constructed a four-storey lecture block for the commencement of the university.
Built at the cost of over GHC13.9 million, the facility, furnished with modern desks, has eight lecture halls, ICT laboratory and fixed with an elevator.
Mr Iddrisu announced that the government had earmarked GHC50 million for infrastructure development to facilitate the full operationalization of the Kenyasi Number Two campus of the UMaT.
He said the government was also finalising modalities for public universities to be established in Ahafo and other regions which did not have the universities.
Mr Iddrisu assured that establishment of those universities would be completed before President John Dramani Mahama ended his term of office.
The Minister commended the chiefs and people of the region for their cooperation and support and urged students in the area to take advantage of the university and learn hard to acquire high academic laurels.
Mr Alex Kofi Annin, the General Manager, Ahafo Mine of the Newmont Ghana Gold Limited said that: “The campus reflects what we can achieve when a community has a clear vision, when institutions collaborate and when development resources are invested with purpose”.
He said the campus and evidence of the company’s shared belief that education remained one of the most powerful drivers of national development, social transformation and economic progress.
“The UMat campus here opens access for Ghanaians, especially the people of Ahafo, to the same quality academic experience that has shaped many of our professionals leading Ghana’s mining industry today”, Mr Annin attested.
He said over the 20 years in Ahafo Newmont had provided scholarship opportunities to more than 15,000 young people from its host communities through the NADeF.
Professor Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of NADeF, explained that the foundation’s funding was from the commitment of $1 from every ounce of gold sold and one percent of annual pre-tax net profit from Newmont Ahafo Mine’s operations.
He said that the NADeF prioritized community participation, ownership and an independent governance structure, guided by the principles of integrity, respect, stewardship, participation, inclusiveness and transparency.
Odeneho Dadeako Nsiah Ababio, the Paramount Chief of the Kenyasi Number Two Traditional Area commended the government for the campus and called on the government to also expand physical infrastructure development at the OLA Girls Senior High School in the area.
GNA
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]