KNUST receives over million euros from Netherlands

The Centre for Biodiversity Utilisation and Development (CBUD) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has received 1,397,000 Euros from the government of the Netherlands for the second phase of the first five-year programme. This was in response to a request by the Vice- Chancellor, Professor John Sefa Kwadwo Ayim.

Receiving the document on the agreement from Mr. Bob Hensen, Second Secretary of the Netherlands Embassy on Monday, Prof Ayim said the programme had gained national and international recognition as an innovative approach towards the conservation, utilisation and development of biodiversity in Ghana.

The programme was addressing the problem of sustainable utilization of both plant and animal and non-timber forest resources towards poverty alleviation. "CBUD has established itself in the minds of the Ghanaian public as the centre developing and promoting indigenous biological food resources like snails, 'prekese', grasscutter and leafy vegetables as a means for sustainable livelihood towards poverty reduction".

Professor Ayim said the programme was operating in Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Central, Western, Eastern and Volta regions while a team was conducting field studies in the Upper East region to prepare the ground for the programme in the northern sector during the second phase.