KNUST to revive defunct production units

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is to reactivate its defunct production units to provide professional and consultancy services that would bring in revenue

Mr. Kwame Saarah Mensah, Chairman of the University Council, said all economically viable units would be revamped.

“In the past, KNUST was the hub of many commercial activities and corporate institutions and individuals benefitted a lot from the services provided them in respect of the dairy, bakery, vegetable, manufacturing, automobile and printing industries”, he noted.

Addressing the staff of the University Printing Press, Kumasi (UPK), at the inauguration of its ultra-modern building and equipment, he said the Council was determined to bring that back.

He called for the Colleges and Departments to become more innovative to enhance their operations.

The building and equipment, which cost about GH¢6 million would enable the UPK to provide quality and value-for-money printing, book-binding and related services to educational and research institutions.

In addition, printers, publishers, authors and the general public could access its services.

Mr. Saarah Mensah expressed satisfaction at the bold initiative taken by the UPK to make it more competitive.

Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST, said the printing press, established in 1961 as a department to take care of the printing needs of the University, had over years provided quality services to the university community and corporate bodies.

He appealed to the government to award jobs to it - the printing of government textbooks, and said it had the capacity to deliver excellent services.

He urged the staff to work hard to achieve become a leader in the printing industry in the northern sector.