The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Enoch Adjei Osekre, has issued a passionate call to the government and other benevolent agencies to provide immediate support to the faculty. The plea is driven by the inadequate infrastructure that hampers the faculty’s capacity to accommodate the increasing student population.
With a current student population of 5000, propelled by the Free Senior High School policy and ranking as the highest in the country, Professor Osekre emphasized the pressing need for assistance in his address during the 70th-anniversary celebration launch at the Great Hall.
The faculty, currently offering four programs and postgraduate courses across five departments, is grappling with outdated teaching materials, a lack of modern laboratories, insufficient lecture halls, and a limited library space.
Speaking under the theme “Celebrating 70 Years of KNUST’s Global Impact in Agriculture,” Professor Osekre urged relevant bodies to extend their support to address the challenges hindering effective teaching, learning, and hands-on experiences. The scarcity of resources has also curtailed student internships and interactions with the industry.
Highlighting the urgent need for refurbishment, Professor Osekre singled out the iconic theater and the library, estimating a cost of 900,000 cedis and 1.2 million cedis, respectively. To alleviate congestion in lecture halls and fulfill the legacy project, the faculty requires 33 million Ghana cedis for comprehensive infrastructure improvements.
If these urgent needs are met in a timely manner, the faculty aims to enhance its agricultural education and research programs, contributing to the country’s food ecosystems. Professor Osekre emphasized the commitment to leaving no stone unturned in addressing the challenges and urged collective efforts to empower the faculty for accelerated progress.
Background
Established in 1953 as a department of agriculture under the Kumasi College of Technology, KNUST’s Faculty of Agriculture holds the distinction of being the oldest faculty on campus. Initially offering diploma programs in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, the faculty has evolved to include a BSc in agriculture.
