The department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, in the College of Science, KNUST has received a consignment of assorted laboratory and office equipments for the Molecular Biology laboratory. It was donated by the Plant Sciences Group of the Wageningen University and Research Centre in The Netherlands, under the Laboratory and office Equipment Transfer Initiative (LOETI).

The equipments which amounted to GH¢600,000.00 were to assist the University in both teaching and research works. They included: DNA Sequencer, PCR machines, assorted centrifuges and incubators, freeze dryer, growth chambers, flow cabinets, leaf area meter, spectrophotometers and fluorometers, among others.

At the official handing over and commissioning Ceremony of the equipments, Prof. W.O. Ellis, the Pro-Vice Chancellor who read the key note address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, expressed his sincerest appreciation to the donors for their generous support to the department. He indicated that, the donation was a fulfillment of the demands of facilities required by the department for teaching, learning and research purposes.

He added that, the Biotechnology laboratory having been furnished with modern standard equipments is now stronger to help train students and conduct research especially in areas of Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetic improvements of crops and animals, paternity testing and genetic diversity studies.

He was also gratified for the efforts being put by the College to help meet the objectives and mission of the University. He made mention of the clinical services and the Yoghurt production Facility offered to the public by the department which in turn generate income to support teaching and research works of the Department.

He was optimistic that, with the emergence of those world class facilities, the students and staff would take advantage of them to facilitate their teaching, learning and research activities. Prof. Ellis further showed gratitude to the commitment and enthusiasm and immeasurable contribution put forth by the following people to make the facility, a reality: Dr. Twumasi, Prof. Aboagye Menyeh, Prof. Kwasi Obiri Danso, Mrs. F. O. Mensah, and Prof. (Mrs.) Ibok Oduro.

Ending his note, the Pro V.C. extended an invitation to all companies, organizations and individuals with parallel interests to access the facility and partner with the department.

Prof. Aboagye Menyeh, Provost of the College of Science, who chaired the occasion, was also indebted to the donors and the architects of that great gesture. He subsequently registered the various donations received by the department from other benevolent organisations and individuals, and attributed it to divine providence. He further stated that, the college continues to attract scientists from abroad as a result of maintenance of high standards of research as well as teaching through the establishment of the state-of-the art facilities.

He noted that, though the facilities were donated freely, the College spent its own funds of about GH¢15,000.00 to secure the equipments to the shores of the country. He made mention of the MoU initiated by the College with the Wageningen University to collaborate on other identifiable areas that would be of mutual benefit. 

 
He also encouraged the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology to strengthen the syllabus as far as practical training for students is concerned, especially in modern courses of DNA and Food Technology and lay down the foundation for introduction of Molecular and Cell Biology and Forensic Science, among others. 
He hoped that the facilities would enhance visibility of the College and the University at large and appealed to the GETFund through the Vice-Chancellor to come and assist the College to furnish their new building complex.

Dr. Twumasi, a lecturer at the department who provided selfless support towards this great initiative and a representative of the Wageningen University gave succinct background information about the project. He said that, the donors decided to donate their laboratory and office equipments to training institutions and research laboratories at the time he was pursuing his Ph.D programme, so when he joined the University and saw the potentials of the department in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, as well as Food Science and Technology, he impressed upon the department to establish the LOETI programme and transfer the equipments to support research and teaching activities. 

Reading the address by the Director General of Plant Sciences Group of Wageningen University, said that, “Agricultural has a crucial role to play in reaching the millennium Development Goals (MDG). Since Agricultural is Ghana’s most important economic sector, this new strategy specifically is important for Ghana. Advanced Agricultural Research cannot be reached without collaborations”, hence, he encouraged Scientific partners in various regions of the world to join forces to reach their MDG’s goals.

In addition,he hoped the equipments would be used to full satisfaction for the intended purpose.