The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) has commissioned its Takoradi City Campus at Kansaworodo, in the Western Region.

The centre, constructed at a cost of GHS21,600,000.00 with the University’s Internally Generated Fund (IGF), is to enable individuals especially the working class, to upgrade themselves in their respective fields of endeavor as well as acquire knowledge.

Speaking at the commissioning, the  Railway Minister, Joe Ghartey, highlighted the importance of education to development and commended the university authorities for building the campus in the Takoradi Metropolis.

“This university, will become a growth pole in this area; we will do our best to ensure that all the necessary infrastructure is put in place,” he said.

He pointed out that Sekondi-Takoradi is gradually becoming a center of excellence in terms of education and announced that the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) would also like to establish its Learning Center at ‘Railway Location’ in Sekondi.

Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, Vice Chancellor of KNUST announced that the university will start Railway Engineering course in August this year.

He urged the city authorities to construct the 10-kilometer road which leads to the campus and added that enrollment is expected to increase tremendously.

According to him, the KNUST will give four slots to students in the catchment area to be enrolled at the university every year as well as offer employment opportunities.

He assured indigenes of Kansaworodo that KNUST will live up to expectation “I will encourage families who have land in this area to release some for developmental projects.”

Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, in an address read for him explained that the IDL is to assist workers to add value to themselves without having to quit their jobs.

“IDL is gradually shifting from undergraduate programmes to postgraduate programmes and that the institute currently runs 42 postgraduate programmes,” he said.

“I appeal to the utility services and related departments to factor into their development plan the extension of the requisite services to this campus in view of the prospects,” he added.

Also, he said the Ghana Police Service should provide security for students and other stakeholders within the area.

He assured the university that the Regional Coordinating Council will continue to cooperate and support KNUST in its academic and developmental programmes in the region.

Mr. Joseph Cudjoe, the Member of Parliament for Effia added that the success of the IDL will depend on heads of various organizations within the Sekondi-Takoradi and beyond.

“Institutional heads should encourage their subordinates to upgrade and add value to themselves to enhance socio-economic development,” he said.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area and chairman for the occasion commended KNUST for establishing IDL in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

“There is the need for spatial planning of this place to serve as growth pole; I hope it will be center of excellence if given the needed attention,” he said.

He encouraged chiefs to release consolidated land for proper planning; in some few years to come, this will not be satellite campus but a full-fledged university on its own.

Mr. Armstrong Asmah, spokesperson for the Landowners said indigenes and landowners are hopeful that the institute will achieve the objective for which it was established.

“We hope this university will contribute to the development of educational training in the country as well as meet the demands of the country’s manpower needs,” he said.

Prof. Isaac Kwame Dontwi, Director, Institute of Distance Learning at the KNUST giving a brief history about the project said “after operating for over six years as a faculty and having moved through thick and thin in renting places, management approved a proposition in 2011 to acquire campus to have our presence in all regional capitals."

He added that “we scouted for some time, although there were disappointments and challenges, some family members and the chief at Kansaworodo gave us land for the construction of the IDL which started in 2015.”

He urged chiefs in the Western Region to release land to be used for educational purpose

“All our programmes are demand driven, we have also introduced short courses which we believe will help the center to grow and we will encourage individuals who want to further their studies to do so,” he added.