The Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has welcomed renewed government commitment to the completion of the KNUST Teaching Hospital, following the release of GH¢46 million and US$38 million through GETFund for equipping the facility.

The Chancellor commended the Vice President for her role in securing government attention for the Teaching Hospital but urged that her tenure be marked by its full completion.

“I implore you to take this moment to immortalize your name as the game changer who brought this noble vision to its glorious completion, a legacy that generations to come will honour you for,” he said.

Addressing the climax of the University’s 59th Congregation in Kumasi, Otumfuo appealed to government to grant immediate financial clearance to recruit additional academic and administrative staff, warning that the current lecturer-student ratio poses a long-term threat to academic quality.

“This situation places a heavy strain on our dedicated lecturers and threatens the quality of teaching and learning we provide,” he said, calling on the Guest of Honour, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, to fast-track the clearance process.

Otumfuo also issued a strong warning to individuals encroaching on university lands, stating that the institution will not tolerate attempts to seize or repurpose its property.

“I have received reports indicating that some recalcitrant people continue to test our resolve… any encroachment upon these lands will not be tolerated,” he cautioned, describing the lands as “sacred legacies handed down by our forefathers for the education of future generations.”

Vice President Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, responding in her address, praised KNUST for sustaining academic excellence while deepening transformational and translational research that addresses national development priorities.

She cited student and faculty work contributing to solutions in areas such as health innovation, agricultural sustainability, and industrial policy.

“We are very proud to note that KNUST continues to insist on academic excellence and relevance… scholars are joining together with practice and generating results across disciplines, borders, and sectors,” she said.

The Vice President affirmed government’s commitment to supporting higher education and urged graduates to prioritise service to country.

“Do not forget that your families, communities, and nation have not invested in your education for your benefit alone. Remember them and maintain your academic humility,” she advised.

She encouraged graduates to provide leadership rooted in evidence, ethics and public value at a time when public discourse is increasingly dominated by misinformation.

“The expectation is that you will lead inquiry, elevate discourse, and apply your intellect to complex problems,” she said.

Addressing graduates, he urged them to enter the world guided by innovation, integrity and compassion, reminding them that the value of education lies in its impact on others.

The final day of the 59th Congregation saw 221 PhD degrees conferred: 66 females and 155 males, alongside honorary doctorates awarded to distinguished personalities Hackman Owusu Agyemang, Dr. Ben Asante, Prof. Victoria Pearl Dzogbefia among others and corporate bodies.