News:
February 27, 2018
The Member of Parliament for the Afram Plains North constituency in the Eastern region, Betty Nana Efua Crosbi Mensah is up in arms against government to ensure that the proposed establishment of the Donkorkrom Campus of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development is done in accordance with provisions of Act 898, which established the University.
Section 3 of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development Act, 2015, Act 898, provides that the university shall be established in Somanya with campuses at Donkorkrom and any other place as the University Council may determine.
According to her the delayed establishment of the Donkorkrom Campus has resulted in mounting tension in the entire Kwahu Afram Plains area.
Responding to an urgent question filed by the Member of Parliament for the area on what steps are being taken for the establishment of the Donkorkrom Campus due to the mounting tension, Minister for Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh disclosed that contracts have been awarded for the commencement of work on the main Somanya Campus and once infrastructure facilities are provided for the commencement of academic work, the Council may proceed the commencement of work on others campuses.
He stated that a $ 45 million loan facility was approved by Cabinet for the start of work on the Somanya Campus of the University.
When the MP insisted to know whether the Ministry will abide by the provision of the Act to establish the Donkokrom Campus before any other, the Minister was resolute that it is the University Council who determines which Campus is establish next apart from the main Campus in Somanya.
In October, 2017 some media reports indicated that government intends to relocate the site of the supposed second Campus of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development from Donkokrom to Akyem Land.
This alleged move has generated several agitations among the people of the Afram Plains resulting in demonstrations and treats of court actions against the move by the ministry of education.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Betty Nana Efua Crosbi Mensah has vowed to go any length in a bid to resist any such move intended to deny her people an opportunity to host the University Campus.
She cautioned against the use of technicalities by the Education Minister to shift the goal post.
By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com