The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Enoch Adjei Osekre, has issued a call for support from stakeholders to enhance the faculty’s infrastructure. The appeal specifically targets the expansion of the lecture theatre and the refurbishment of the library to accommodate the rising number of students.
Prof. Osekre emphasized that the faculty’s current student population exceeds 5,000, positioning it as one of the largest faculties at KNUST. He urged private sector entities, faculty alumni, and public-spirited organizations to contribute to the expansion efforts, ensuring the facility meets the growing needs of its students.
The appeal was made during the launch of the 70th-anniversary celebration of the faculty, held under the theme “Celebrating 70 Years of KNUST’s Global Impact in Agriculture.” In addition to the infrastructure projects, Prof. Osekre revealed plans to establish a legacy project as part of the anniversary activities.
The estimated cost of the project is GHc 33 million, and the Dean encouraged corporate entities to support the university in realizing this ambitious initiative. Prof. Osekre suggested that organizations adopting specific aspects of the project could have those components named after them.
Former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, commended the Faculty of Agriculture for its significant contributions to agricultural development in Ghana. He highlighted the crucial role of academic institutions, such as the faculty, in various strategic areas, including human resource development, crop and livestock research, and collaboration with national and international institutions.
Addressing the country’s challenges related to over-reliance on foreign debt, Dr. Akoto underscored agriculture’s potential to alleviate poverty, ensure food security, and generate resources for the agro-sector of the economy. He proposed the establishment of an Agricultural Management Team (AMT), led by the President, to prioritize and oversee the sector’s development, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts across key ministries.