The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has reaffirmed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council’s (ARCC) commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), particularly in youth development, education, security, research and regional development.
Dr Amoakohene made the commitment when the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Christian Agyare, members of University Management and representatives of the KNUST Global Alumni Association paid a courtesy call on him at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council in Kumasi on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The visit was to introduce Professor Agyare, the newly appointed 13th Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, to the Regional Minister and reinforce the longstanding partnership between the University and the Regional Coordinating Council.
Dr Amoakohene congratulated Professor Agyare on his appointment and described KNUST as a key institution whose development and expertise could contribute significantly to the transformation of the Ashanti Region.
He said several features of KNUST’s campus environment demonstrated the kind of development the region aspired to achieve.
“Many of the things we want to see for our cities, we find at KNUST,” he said, citing the University’s green environment as an example of the potential for Kumasi to reclaim its identity as the “Garden City of West Africa.”
Dr Amoakohene also highlighted flooding as a major challenge requiring stronger institutional collaboration. He said recent flooding in the region had exposed the need for greater attention to development control and the effects of activities upstream and downstream.
He called for closer collaboration among relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions to the challenge.
The Regional Minister assured the University of the Regional Coordinating Council’s support, particularly on security, and encouraged KNUST to continue engaging the Regional Administration whenever support was required.
On healthcare infrastructure, Dr Amoakohene said the government had adopted the KNUST Medical Centre for support through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), reflecting its commitment to improving healthcare delivery at the University.
He also emphasised youth empowerment, saying the Regional Administration was committed to creating opportunities for young people and supporting initiatives that would promote their socio-economic development.
Dr Amoakohene expressed his willingness to engage students on university campuses and work with KNUST to create opportunities that would equip young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of the region and the country.
Professor Agyare thanked the Regional Minister and the Regional Administration for their support and for attending his investiture.
He recalled the longstanding collaboration between KNUST and the Regional Coordinating Council and expressed hope that the partnership would be strengthened further.
Professor Agyare said the University was particularly interested in expanding collaboration in education, research and youth development.
He also invited the Regional Minister to participate in the upcoming KNUST Alumni Global Congress, part of activities marking the University’s 75th anniversary.
The Global President of the KNUST Alumni Association, Dr Herman Yobo Addae, said the 14th Biennial Global Congress would be held from October 22 to 25, 2026, on the KNUST campus as part of the anniversary celebrations.
He described the congress as a homecoming for KNUST alumni from across the world and said it would feature activities aimed at strengthening alumni engagement and supporting students.
The programme will include a mentorship session during which alumni will interact with students and share experiences to prepare them for life beyond the University.
Dr Addae said His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chancellor of KNUST, had agreed to participate in the opening ceremony and host distinguished alumni at the Chancellor’s Hall as part of efforts to raise funds for the KNUST Alumni Endowment Fund.
Saturday’s programme will focus on youth development, with alumni engaging final-year students and young graduates on career development and preparation for life after university. Alumni will also visit selected second-cycle institutions in Kumasi to mentor students.
Dr Addae said the activities were intended to help position KNUST and the Ashanti Region as a preferred destination for tertiary education.
He formally invited the Regional Minister to the congress and appealed to the Regional Coordinating Council to host an Akwaaba Cocktail and Thanksgiving for visiting alumni, in keeping with a tradition associated with previous KNUST alumni congresses.
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by the Registrar, Mr Benjamin Owusu; Nana Ansah Sasraku III, Mamfehene and Chair of the KNUST Endowment Fund Board of Trustees; Dr Herman Yobo Addae, Global President of the KNUST Alumni Association; Prof. Mrs Sophia Pardie Ocran, Global General Assistant Secretary; Kwame Saarah-Mensah, Global Advisory Council Chairman; Prof. Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei, Global Vice-President; Samuel Danjuma Mubarak Atimodu, Global Treasurer; Dr Eric Manu, Vice-President of the Campus Chapter; and Professor Charles Adams.
Story and Photos: Emmanuel Offei
