Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has warned encroachers, particularly his sub chiefs that they would suffer his wrath if they sell lands belonging to the Kwame University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Speaking at the launch of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s 70th anniversary celebration in Kumasi on Thursday, he cautioned that no Abusuapayin (head of the family) has the authority to give portions of the land for private development.
““Let me use this platform to highlight a very disturbing development that has come to my attention in recent times. That is the encroachment of university (KNUST) lands. I condemn it in no uncertain terms and strongly send a note of caution to all those involved to desist from it or face my wrath. Let me warn the communities, the chiefs, and whoever, that, the lands are mine and you are just caretakers to those lands. There’s no family land here in Ashanti. No Abusuapanin (head of the family) can claim the land belongs to him and therefore he has the right to alienate a portion of the university land”.
The year-long celebration is on the theme; “KNUST: 70 years of global impact; A new age for a renewed focus”.
The Asantehene, who is also the Chancellor of the University, stated that in recent times, he has received a number of reports of people trespassing on portions of the university’s land, adding that anyone who takes a land case to the law courts stands a chance of losing.
“You can go to any court. Take it there. I am also sure there will be a judge there who will know that the constitution of Ashanti says that there is no family land in the Ashanti Region and therefore get the lawyers to take you to court but I’ll get the court to overturn their decisions to affirm my authority on the lands here”.
He said the benefits that the KNUST brings to the surrounding communities are worth more than what one would receive from the sale of the lands and as such it will not be under his watch as Asantehene and Chancellor of the KUNST that acts of encroachment on the lands of the university will go on.
He also stated that in light of the growing effects of graduate unemployment, the university needed to produce graduates who were industry-ready to avoid becoming redundant.
On his part, the education minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum said plans are underway to restructure Ghana’s education system in other for graduates to compete on the global platforms.
He revealed saying “next academic year, we are opening about 10 schools that are focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and added that ‘we want them to capture the content of what is taught in the first year of engineering programs in such a way that by the time they get here they’re taking advanced classes and you’re moving them on,”
This, he notes, is the only opportunity government has to put poverty at bay and to ensure that the nation is transformed.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
