The new Head of the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy in Ghana, Roberto Quiroz II, has visited the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. The Public Affairs Officer’s visit was to officially introduce himself to the Vice-Chancellor and by extension the University.
Mr. Roberto Quiroz II stated that the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is the finest institution in Africa which his outfit had a long-standing partnership with. He said the United States of America continues to partner African institutions in staff and student exchange and pledged his support to strengthen the existing relationship.
Mr. Quiroz II noted that Ghana has challenges relating to unemployment, poverty, lack of quality education which all stem from corruption and that institutional cooperation and support could help reduce these problems.
He noted that the U.SA. has a vibrant agricultural sector and would assist the Ghanaian agriculture sector to feed Ghanaians and beyond in order to reduce poverty and provide employment. He further said the youth should be encouraged to take up farming.
Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso, Vice-Chancellor, thanked Mr. Quiroz II for the visit and said KNUST has several partnerships with the Embassy and American institutions and called for more to help build capacity of both students and faculty. He also called for more funding to encourage females in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes as the University has increased enrolment of females by 36% of the total population.
The Public Affairs Officer was accompanied by some members of staff and the Head of Education U.S.A. , a private educational consult, Mrs. Marilyn Owusu.