The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences has dedicated its newly constructed auditorium in Accra.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, the Minister of Education, said the ceremony was historic because it took 55 years for the Academy’s vision of having an independent premise to be realised.

She noted that as a visionary, the Founder and first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah was clear about the need to promote the study and the extension and dissemination of knowledge of all the Sciences.

She said Dr Nkrumah promised to build a ‘Science Palace’ with the aim of bringing together all bodies in the Sciences and the Humanities to enable them to contribute more actively to the development of the country and Africa.

She said in 2009, when the 50th anniversary of the Academy was launched, an appeal for a befitting office complex was made to the government of the late Prof John Evans Atta Mills.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said on October 2, 2012, President Mahama had the opportunity to break ground to signal the commencement of construction of the edifice on the multi-million government-funded-project of a new five-storey building and a 520 capacity auditorium.

He commended all stakeholders for their commitment and determination in ensuring the progress of the edifice.

Mr Sam Garba, the Administrator of GETfund, said the GAAS sourced funding for the auditorium, and an amount of GH¢12,324,527.87, including consultancy fees, had been spent as payments for certificates generated through the processes of construction.

Prof Akilakpa Sawyerr, President of the Academy, commended government for the support, and assured the GAAS would work diligently to maintain the facility in an effective manner.