The Omanhene of the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III has pledged his unwavering support for activities of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development to become among the best in the country. He has also commended the quality of leadership of the Foundation Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nyarko-Sampson in the governance of the institution, founded four years ago.
Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III said this when he received a ‘high-powered’ delegation from the University, led by the Vice-Chancellor at his Bogyawe Palace, Akwamufie, on the eve of Ghana’s Independence.
Prof. Nyarko Sampson explained that the purpose of the visit was to pay homage to him and to discuss issues of mutual interest between the University and the traditional area.
He conveyed to the revered chief the support the University has received from Akwamuman, which included tuition sponsorship for over twenty (20) students and funding for students posted to the area under the University’s Community-Based Experiential Learning (CoBEL) programme, which provides yearly practical training to students posted in communities during the long break. He made a plea for additional student assistance.
The Vice-Chancellor also informed the chief of the University’s plan to establish a Public Health Research Centre (under the Department of Environment and Public Health) at Akwamufie and appealed to him for the allocation of land for the project.
He gave the chief an update on the University’s Five-Year Strategic Plan which was launched in 2023. He said, the institution has already started to notice some opportunities in reaching the different benchmarks outlined in the Strategic Plan, and he asked Odeneho and the Stool to support the realisation of any of the benchmarks by adopting them. A copy of the Strategic Plan was presented to the chief.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson also extended an invitation to the chief to the University’s maiden graduation which is expected to be in November this year.
In response, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III reiterated his excitement about the siting of UESD in the Eastern Region. To the requests made by the Vice-Chancellor, the Omanhene responded in the affirmative.
He also spoke of the CoBEL programme and encouraged the University to keep with it as it provides the community members the opportunity to learn from the students in respect of environmental sustainability and development.
The elders at the palace were: Nana Samanhyia Darko II, Gyaasewahene; Nana Ofei Boadu, Tufuhene and Nana Akyerakwa, Dabehene.
Other members of the Vice-Chancellor’s delegation were: Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah; Registrar, Mrs. Mary Abena Agyepong; Director of Finance, Mr. Baffour Awuah Kwabi; Deputy Registrar; Dr. Hammond Oppong Kwarteng; Dean of Students, Dr. Daniella Delali Sedegah; Ag. Dean of School of the Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) Dr. Shine Gbedemah; Director of ITSO, Dr. Emmanuel Kitcher; Director of DPDEM, Sur. Isaac Abbam, Head of Community Engagement and Projects Innovation Unit, Mr. Daniel Mintah, and Head of University Relations office, Ms. Barbara M. Yakubu.