President to cut sod for two university projects

Tamale, (N/R), Feb. 6, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills is expected to carry out two ground breaking ceremonies on February 7 and February 8, for the construction of two universities in the Volta and Brong Ahafo Regions.

The Brong Ahafo University, which would be known as University of Energy and Natural Resource Management would admit the first batch of students in September for the 2011/2012 academic year. Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister made this know= n at Nyankpala in the Northern Region on Saturday when he addressed the Central Executive Committee meeting of the Brong Ahafo Students Union (BASU), which was attended by executives of the union throughout the country.

He said courses to be run by the university included wildlife management, forestry, environmental management and energy conservation. Mr Nyamekye who was accompanied by the Volta Regional Minister Mr Joseph Amenowode, said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) was th= e only government to have brought universities to the two regions to accelerate development.

He said education was the major priority of the government and within two years the in power the NDC had initiated a number of interventions and budgetary support to improve the educational sector. Mr Nyamekye said the Brong Ahafo Region had benefited from GH¢20.2 million educational infrastructure.

He said a 70- classroom infrastructural facility had also been constructed at the cost of GH¢16.5 million to eliminate schools which too= k their lessons under trees, while 60,100 free school uniforms and 2.1 millio= n exercise books had been provided to some pupils in fulfilment of government's promise. Madam Elizabeth De-Souza, Northern Regional Director of Education encouraged the students to study hard and accept postings to the rural area= s under the national service scheme.

The National President of BASU, Mr Eric Yaw Amponsah said the union was created 52 years ago by Professor Benneh, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana and some friends in league with students from the region.

He said the union had contributed immensely to the development of Brong Ahafo Region. Mr Amponsah said the union would embark on voluntary teaching in some deprived communities and organise quiz competitions for girls in selected senior high schools. Alhaji Haruna Friday, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive said contrary to public perception northerners are honest, likable and hardworking.