Tamale Polytechnic gets lecture hall complex

Tamale, June 7, GNA - The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) on Monday handed over a 4.7 billion-cedi three-storey lecture hall complex to the Tamale Polytechnic in Tamale.

The Fund, which financed the construction of the facility, is also funding a number of other projects for the Polytechnic, including a four-storey GETFUND Hostel, a multi-purpose computer laboratory, an administration block complex, an engineering laboratory and a 24-unit flats for the lecturers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Alhaji Basit A. Fuseini, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Polytechnic expressed appreciation of the Council to the GETFUND for its immense support to the Polytechnic and gave the assurance that the facility would be well taken care of and put to optimum use.

He noted that the lecture hall complex, which has 32 offices for the academic staff would enable them to do their research work and also conduct "academic surgery" with their students in a more conducive environment.

The Governing Council Chairman made a special appeal for the tarring of the road network of the Polytechnic campus and the rehabilitation of the main road through the school, which, he said, was not only in a serious state of disrepair but also posed a danger to the health of the Polytechnic community and the equipment on campus. He also appealed to NGOs, philanthropists and well-meaning Ghanaians to support the Tamale Polytechnic to grow to become a centre of academic excellence.

Alhaji Fuseini reminded the students about the danger that the HIV/AIDS pandemic posed and urged them to lead morally upright lives to prevent being infected with the disease. He told them: "You have bright future, which is threatened by the HIV/AIDS menace. I would therefore, want to remind you that AIDS is real and you need to protect yourselves in order to enjoy the bright future ahead of you".

He also reminded the students about the impending general election saying, "the country is in an election year and there is the need for each and everyone of us to play our part in ensuring a peaceful general election, come December, 2004".

Mr Fosuaba Banahene, Administrator of the GETFUND said the country's ten polytechnics were facing problems, which the government was doing its best to bring to manageable levels. He noted the importance of Polytechnic education, especially in a developing country like Ghana and said nothing should be done to derail it.

Mr Banahene announced that the GETFUND had this year, provided 7.5 billion cedis to the various polytechnics to help build the capacity of their academic staff, adding that out of this amount the Tamale Polytechnic had been allocated 600 million cedis.

He pledged that the Fund would undertake the tarring of the roads on the Polytechnic campus, on condition that the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly would rehabilitate the main road to the Polytechnic.

The GETFUND Administrator assured the Polytechnic of the continued support of the FUND saying, "the Getfund will continue to be your lifeline and support you in all your endeavours."

Mr Banahene urged the students to apply themselves diligently to their studies and not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for their own parochial interests.

He commended the contractors, Messrs Achilson Limited, for doing a good work and completing the project on schedule. In a welcoming address, Professor M.Z. Ibrahimah, Principal of Tamale Polytechnic, commended the GETFUND for funding the construction of the lecture hall complex and said the facility would be well maintained for the benefit of future generations.