The University Press of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has commissioned a multi-million cedi building and modern printing equipment valued at 6 million cedis. The commissioning was also used to launch the UPK Publishing Unit. The printing and binding equipment include a six-colour speedmaster, a folding machine, a binder and a heavy-duty generating set.
Professor Daniel Ohene Adu, Chairman of the Printing Press Management Committee, stated that it was unprecedented in the history of the University for a non-academic unit to internally generate funds to put up a new building and buy a set of new printing equipment.
He said the management committee formulated and implemented a five-year strategic plan. As part of the plan, the press was rebranded and given a facelift. In 2010 the press underwent refurbishing and reequipping which positioned UPK to deliver improved services to the University, corporate bodies and individuals.
Prof. Ohene Adu added that staff were promoted and motivated to increase productivity. At a management retreat five years ago, the decision to increase production and to cover a wider clientele was taken which had culminated in the expansion and the new equipment. He added that with the launch of its publishing unit, UPK was better equipped to publish books including some of the approved government textbooks.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor, stated that the world of business was undergoing dramatic changes day in and day out as a result of constant competition. It was therefore the responsibility of managers to develop appropriate strategies to continue to remain in business. It was therefore not out of place that management and the Board of the Press should expand facilities and install state of-the–art printing equipment to improve performance.
Prof. Ellis said this symbolised the determination to use the best technology found in any part of the world. He hoped customers would now enjoy attractive designs, faster delivery and better quality output.
He therefore called on all who had publishing work to consider UPK for professionalism and quality. The building was officially commissioned by Prof. William Otoo Ellis.
The University Press, Kumasi was founded in 1961 as an in-house press to basically provide the printing and binding requirements of the various faculties and departments and units of the University. The UPK is the first printing press in Ghana to generate and produce MCQ scannable forms. For the past seven years, the UPK has provided scannable forms for KNUST. It has extended the supply of customized scannable forms to the University of Ghana, University of Development Studies and the University of Education, Winneba.