The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council - Kyebi to jointly implement and facilitate the ‘Sustainable Smart City Development Project’. The meeting was held on Thursday 19th August 2021 at the Susu Biribi Palace, Kyebi.
The objective of the MoU is to establish a collaborative partnership in research that creates a pathway towards developing the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area into a Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sustainability, Tourism, Health Rehabilitation, Education, Research, ICT, Sports Development and develop Kyebi into a Smart Sustainable City. The MoU is for a period of Ten years, and it is subject to renewal.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor (Mrs) Rita Akosua Dickson expressed gratitude to the Okyehene for the warm welcome and stated that the purpose of their visit was to collaborate with the people of Okyeman to uphold the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) as outlined by the United Nations (UN). She revealed that the University thrives on quality teaching and learning, impactful research, entrepreneurship training and community engagement.
Professor Akosua Dickson on behalf of the Chancellor and Management of KNUST assured the Okyehene of the University’s unflinching support in ensuring that the project is successful.
In his remarks, the Okyenhene and President of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin recounted the excellent work done three years ago by over 100 third year students and staff of the Department of Architecture of KNUST, led by Dr. Marful. They lived and studied the communities for ten days as part of their peri urban studies. The result of that study is the basis for the current collaboration. He thanked the KNUST team for their dedication and said posterity will judge them positively.
He hoped that Kyebi would become one of the developed towns in the country after the successful implementation the project. He charged Ghanaians to always raise the bar when it comes to comparison between Ghana and other African countries in terms of development.
Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, Mr. Andrews Kwasi Boateng, Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin and Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta signed for KNUST and Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council respectively.
Present at the meeting were the Registrar, Mr Andrews Kwasi Boateng; the University Relations Officer, Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe; Dr. Ing. Alexander Boakye Marful; Senior Lecturer Department of Architecture, Dr. Daniel Y. A. Duah; Senior Lecturer Department of Architecture KNUST, Members of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, Chiefs among others.
