SSNIT constructing hostel at KNUST

Sunyani, May 24, GNA - The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is putting up a 700-bed hostel at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, to help solve the acute accommodation problem at the university.

The site for the project has already been cleared for the construction of the facility, which would be run on commercial basis. Professor John Sefa K. Ayim, Vice Chancellor of KNUST, was addressing a forum of the Brong Ahafo regional branch of the University's Alumni Association at Sunyani on Monday.

It was part of efforts by the authorities of the university to reactivate regional branches of the Alumni and to solicit their support towards the golden jubilee of the institution, which is scheduled from October next year to 2002.

In an answer to a question, Prof. Ayim said that the university has simplified the procedure for the development of private hostels on the campus to expand accommodation for both staff and students.

"We have completely cut down on bureaucracy and adopted a fast-track approach under which within days of approval of your business plans and designs, we can give five acres at a time to any interested investor".

Prof. Ayim said that the senior staff is putting up a 120-bedroom hostel at the cost of 3.5 billion cedis. "I will wish that the Alumni and indeed the business community take a cue from this and take full advantage of our fast-track approach and help to expand facilities at the university, which now accommodates only 40 per cent of its 9,500 students on campus".

Prof. Ayim said that every effort was being made to contact alumni, both at home and abroad, for their support for the golden jubilee. He said that a national congress of the alumni would be held next August to elect new officers who would be responsible for reactivating alumni branches and canvassing for material and financial support for the celebration.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Donald Adabre, an alumnus, urged graduates of KNUST to contribute towards the jubilee and efforts to expand facilities at the university.

Mr. Richard Gyimah of the Dormaa District Office of the Forestry Division suggested the opening of accounts in a number of banks to enable alumni to make donations to the university conveniently.

In an appeal for funds, the over 100 alumni present donated and pledged sums of money ranging from 100,0000 to one million cedis towards the celebration. Other members of the KNUST administration including Prof. E. Y. Sarfo, Pro-Vice Chancellor accompanied Prof. Ayim.