The Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (Asantehene) has been conducted round to inspect the on-going projects in the University.
The first point of call was the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, at the main entrance to the University. The project which is being sponsored by Dr. Alhaji Asumah Banda is almost completed and would be commissioned soon.
Otumfuo and his entourage and other officials of the University moved to the College of Architecture and Planning to commission the postgraduate block. Addressing the gathering, the Provost of the College, Prof. S. O. Asiamah said the block was financed by the internally generated funds. He consequently presented a brief background to the construction of the building. He said “the problem that the college and in fact the entire University had faced over the years is competition for space between postgraduate and undergraduate students.” As a result, the College Management resolved to construct a postgraduate block that would provide classrooms and office spaces for students.
The GH¢775, 225.33 block which took 24 months to be completed, would provide accommodation for PhD students, Seminar Rooms for Masters Students, a computer laboratory, a Postgraduate resource Library, Geographical Information System (GIS) laboratory and offices for professors of the College. Prof. Asiamah also disclosed that the College had decided to construct another Lecture Theatre behind the Postgraduate block, this year. He said that the designs for the building were almost completed and it would provide a 1,200 seating capacity auditorium, four breakout rooms with a seating capacity of 100 and a cafeteria for both staff and students. The building is estimated at the cost of GH¢ 1,870,000.
Concluding his address, He invited the government, private sector and individuals to come to the aid of the University.
The next point of contact by the team was the College of Science Complex. The Chancellor and the officials were met by the Provost and taken round to see the progress of the project. The project is expected to be handed over to the University on 6th March, 2010.
At the Business School, the Site engineer assured the team that, its firm is working tirelessly for the building to be handed over by the end of February ending.
The next project was the four storey Examination Centre and offices complex. Otumfuo and his team were conducted round by the Director of Works with the assistance of the site engineer. The project when finished would have 10 large modern examination halls with seating capacity of 150 students each. They could also be used as lecture theatres. Other facilities which would be there are 120 spacious offices, 2 elevators to ease access to the top floors; CCTV would be installed to enhance security. He also ceased the opportunity to commend some people who worked towards the success of the project.
The newly refurbished Paa Joe stadium was the next point of call. The site engineer told Otumfuo and the officials that, work there was almost completed. Consar limited which is the contracted company was optimistic that the stadium would duly be handed to the University in March, 2010. The Chancellor therefore charged them to finish on time as they have promised. He said “this is one of the things the students need for recreational activities so you have to finish early”.
At the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Training Centre, when asked whether the contractor could possibly finish as he has already assured the University, he emphatically said yes. The company, Premier Shelter is expected to finish the work by the end of March.
Other projects visited were the Security Staff Quarters, Royal Parade ground and the VIP ward at the KNUST Hospital. At the KNUST hospital, it was noted that, funds for this project was internally generated.
The Chancellor planted a commemorative plant to mark the onset of the project, consignment of construction works on the V.I. P. Ward.
In an interview with the V.C. at the end of the tour, he anticipated that, all the projects would be completed around the clock to facilitate the performance of the University’s role with respect to teaching and research. He also commended the contractors for the work done so far. He said that, apart from the assistance from the Getfund, many projects were being financed through internally generated funds of the University.
