Sunyani, Sept. 15, GNA - Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Monday bemoaned that continuous strikes and demonstrations by students and workers for better conditions threaten the fate and progress of the nation.
The issuing of threats and resort to strikes do not bring any improvement into the lives of the people but rather retard development, he said.
Speaking at the inauguration of a 13-member re-constituted council of the Sunyani Polytechnic in Sunyani, the Regional Minister stated that the government is concerned about the people's welfare and is working tirelessly to improve their lot.
Some people believe that the government is not aware and is not prepared to listen to their demands, Nana Seinti noted but emphasised that the President "is a caring father who does not rush into making decisions, he takes the necessary steps to address issues confronting the people".
He expressed regret about the recent clash between the police and students of Sunyani Polytechnic and stated that police had completed investigations into the matter and would soon come out with their findings.
Nana Seinti urged students to exercise restraint in such situations since the government believes in the rule of law and would not spare anyone who misconducted himself. The Minister urged the council to inculcate the spirit of nationalism into the students instead of only fighting for more funds for the construction of structures as well as increase in salaries of lecturers.
Mr. Joe Donkor, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports asked the Council to be focused to enable it to achieve the aims and objectives of the Polytechnic.
Dr. Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, Principal of the Polytechnic commended the previous council for its good work that ensured the smooth running of the institution.
"My administration enjoyed the full co-operation of the council as members were punctual and regular at meetings and expressed their views on thorny and dicey issues without fear or favour," he said.
He urged the new council to perform their roles and functions effectively "to enable the polytechnic to achieve its objectives as a centre of excellence in the provision of career-focused practically oriented middle-level manpower training for socio-economic development of the region and the nation".
The Principal expressed optimism that the well-experienced members of the council were determined to turn the Polytechnic around in a positive way to make it one of the best in the country.
To facilitate the process, he said, the Polytechnic is making efforts to establish a state of the art Information Communication Centre (ICT) to serve the needs of students and other institutions in the region.
Mr. Emmanuel K Agyei, Chairman of the Council thanked the government for their appointment and gave the assurance that they would work in close collaboration with the administration and other stakeholders to steer the affairs of the Polytechnic.
The council is prepared to work to ensure the total development of the Polytechnic in spite of the numerous challenges facing it, he said and asked that the Polytechnic be well resourced to enable the council to perform creditably.
Justice Lawrence L. Mensah, a Sunyani High Court Judge, swore into office the council members, who included three women.
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