[ 2016-06-29 ]

Mahama promises infrastructure development for Technical Universities
President John Dramani Mahama is promising massive
infrastructure developments in four polytechnics
that will not be part of the take-off in the
conversion to a technical university process.

According to President Mahama, this will enable
them catch-up with the six other polytechnics
already approved to be converted into technical
universities.

He says government will also support lecturers
and faculty members with scholarships to enable
them upgrade themselves to meet the requirements
of full-fledged technical universities.

“We are going to fast track the development of
infrastructure in the polytechnics that are yet to
begin technical university programs.

We are going to give their lecturers and faculty
scholarships to go and top up their degree
programs so that they are able to achieve the
standard to be able to teach in these technical
universities.” President Mahama has said.

Government, through the Ministry of Education has
so far approved for conversion, six out of the ten
polytechnics.

President Mahama in the State of the Nation
address on February 25, 2016 announced the six as
Kumasi, Ho Takoradi, Sunyani, Accra and the
Koforidua polytechnics.

President Mahama has been addressing a durbar of
chiefs and people of Piase in the Bosomtwe
District of the Ashanti where he inaugurated
Center for Renewable Energy and Entrepreneurship
Village for the Kumasi Polytechnic is promising
massive infrastructure development for yet-to-be
absorbed polytechnics.

“And so for the polytechnics that will not
immediately start the technical university
program, there are many good things to come. New
structures would be built in their campuses in
order to enable them catch up with the rest and be
able to start their programs as soon as
possible.”

As part of the Accounting to the People tour in
the Ashanti region, he also cut sod for the
construction works to begin on the main Kumasi
Technical University campus at Piase near
Kuntenase in the Bosomtwe District.

According to President Mahama, government is bent
on converting all polytechnics into technical
universities as it lays the Technical Universities
Bill before parliament.

“The bill covers all the ten polytechnics in
this country, and so all the ten polytechnics are
the 6 that we adjudged to be ready and the four
that needs some further works are all contained
and would be mentioned in the bill so that we pass
the law once and for all.”

Meanwhile, authorities at Kumasi Polytechnic have
appealed to government to help build a faculty
structure for the new campus to meet increasing
student population.

Rector, Professor Nicholas Nicodemus
Nsowah-Nuamah fear student population could rise
from about 30 to 50 per cent of the current 10,
021.

“Your Excellency, the polytechnic lacks space
to operate as a Technical University. In fact, it
will be tight if we do not move some facilities
immediately to our new site,” he warned.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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