The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Sunyani Technical University (STU), Prof Justice Solomon Korankwi-Barimah, has bemoaned the level of encroachment on lands reserved for future development in the Bono Regional capital, Sunyani.

He said the traditional council should use its powers to name and shame those greedy individuals behind the unprecedented encroachment on public lands.

Professor Korankye made the call during a visit to the University by ‘Stakeholders for Sunyani Development’ as part of the association’s institutional visit to acquaint itself with the happenings of the Municipality in Sunyani.

He was particularly furious about the level of encroachments on the STU lands, a situation he revealed would impact negatively on future expansion if not immediately addressed.

“Chiefs, look at the level of encroachment at this University, the Sunyani airport, land for the stadium, etc. Why should individuals be allowed to build on lands reserved for markets, Hospitals, and recreational facilities” he quizzed, adding, “the unfortunate aspect is that people in high authority, including chiefs and some officers at the lands commission, connive with the encroaches”.

He said the canker can only be dealt with if all well-meaning stakeholders in the municipality come together with a common goal to resist those involved.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of STU appealed to the chiefs to be bold and call the perpetrators to order.

He also raised concern over the terrible situation at the municipal refuse dumpsite which is close to the University and remains a major health challenge for students and nearby residents. He called on the Sunyani Municipal Assembly to relocate the site to avert an outbreak of disease.

He also expressed the need to preserve the environment as a way of appreciating what the forefathers bequeathed on today’s generation.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of STU, Professor Ing Kwadwo Adinkra-Appiah, reiterated the University’s successful long and short-term development plans which seek to ride on the school’s niche areas of Electrical/Electronic Engineering for the development of the Region and the Country at large.

The STU Registrar, Mr. Samuel Ankama Obour, called on the powers that be in the Bono Region to lobby the relevant authorities to upgrade the University’s park to the level of a stadium as seen in other Universities outside the region.

Nana Kwaku Sarbeng II, the Akwamuhene of Sunyani Traditional Area commended the University Management for their Vision as spelled out in the University’s forty-year Strategic plan.

He assured the management of the utmost support of the Sunyani Traditional Council in ensuring the University gets to its desired level in the socio-economic development of Sunyani and the region.

Mr. Micheal Asare Yeboah, Vice President of the Stakeholders for Sunyani Development, Nana Kwame Addae Kuntuma IV, Sunyani Nifahene, Mr. Atta Akoto, Nana Akomea, President and Secretary of the Sunyani youth Development Association respectively were part of the team that visited the University.