Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has commissioned a new four-storey Creative Arts Complex at its Adako Jachie campus, a move the university says will significantly enhance innovation, technical skills training and teaching within the creative arts sector.

Chairperson of the University’s Governing Council, Edward Brenya, said the facility reflects the growing importance of the creative economy in national development and the need to equip students with relevant skills for emerging industries.

“The importance of creative arts and technology in national development cannot be overstated. Across the world, the creative economy is emerging as a powerful engine for growth, innovation, and job creation,” he said.

The project, funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), is expected to strengthen teaching and learning at the Faculty of Creative Arts and Technology while preparing students for careers in Ghana’s expanding creative industry.

The facility houses modern classrooms, specialised studios and laboratories dedicated to sewing, textile printing, pattern and design, and textile processing. It also includes spaces for digital and photographic work as well as exhibition areas where students can showcase their projects and innovations.

University authorities say the building comes at a time when KsTU is experiencing increasing enrolment in creative arts programmes, creating the need for expanded infrastructure to support practical learning.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Gabriel Dwomoh, the complex represents a significant milestone in the university’s quest to become a leading centre for technical and creative excellence.

“The completion of this Faculty of Creative Arts building marks a significant milestone in our journey towards becoming a world-class centre for technical excellence,” he said.

Prof. Dwomoh added that the facility will help bridge the gap between traditional art and digital technology while enabling the university to admit more students into its creative arts programmes.

“This will provide students with the dignity of a conducive learning environment and the opportunity to gain deeper practical experience,” he added.

For several years, the Faculty of Creative Arts and Technology at KsTU has played a key role in training professionals for Ghana’s creative sector, including fashion, design, multimedia production and product development.

University officials believe the new complex will further strengthen the institution’s capacity to produce highly skilled graduates capable of contributing to innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation in Ghana’s growing creative economy.