The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson has inaugurated Board Members of KNUST Bottling Company Limited (KBCL) and Enterprise Development Board (EDB) on Wednesday 16th March 2022 at the Council Chamber.
Mr Andrews Kwasi Boateng, the Registrar, putting across the roles of the Boards indicated that the EDB exists “to link KNUST to opportunities both within and outside to increase internally generated funds”, “to seek out and identify national and international opportunities to assist KNUST to achieve financial sustainability as set out in the Vice-chancellor’s vision”, “to liaise with existing businesses, enterprises on campus to facilitate the development of new enterprises” and “to positively and constructively offer and build on ideas to take action within the boundaries of the University with regard to enterprise development.”
He further outlined the roles of the KBCL Board as “overseeing the incorporation of the KBCL and other processes leading to its establishment including the appointment of the manager and other key staff in compliance with the University procedures,” “having oversight responsibilities on the operations of the company,” “ensuring the judicious application of resources” and “providing yearly reports to the council on the operations of the Company.”
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, in her address indicated that the Boards are timely groups instituted to oversee KNUST’s agenda in terms of financial resource mobilisation and commercialising key resources and research. She also urged them to be keen on the “One Department, One Start-up” agenda to push entrepreneurship as enshrined in the pillars of the University.
Professor (Mrs) Akosua Dickson further pledged Management’s support in the discharge of the boards duties. “KNUST is interested in taking practical steps to ensure that many start-ups and businesses come from the University. Therefore, management is ready to support you to succeed. When you succeed, we all succeed and KNUST wins. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We have no doubt that you will work diligently to push the outlined visions of KNUST and the respective boards,” she said.
The Enterprise Development Board, chaired by Professor Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, had Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong, serving as Vice-Chairperson and Dr. Kwasi Ohene-Yankyera, Professor Bylon Abeeku Bamfo, Professor Emmanuel Amponsah Donkor, Dr. (Mrs.) Yaa Asantewaa Osei, Mr. George Effah-Asamoah and Mrs. Eunice Adu Boahen as members.
KNUST Bottling Company Limited, also chaired by Professor Rexford Assasie Oppong, had Professor Otchere Addal-Mensah, Council Representative; Mr. Isaac Kofi Appiah, GUSSS Representative; Mr. Anthony Adjapong, GUSSS Representative; Mr. Frederick Kwame Essien, GUSSS Representative and Ms. Lucy Diawuo, Company Secretary, seving as members.
All members took an oath of office while the Chairpersons, Professor Rexford Assasie Oppong and Professor Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, expressed their gratitude to KNUST management and promised to work assiduously to ensure that the members of the Boards they preside over do what is expected of them.