Tarkwa (WR), July 3, GNA - The 13-member Governing Council of University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) was sworn-in at Tarkwa on Friday.

They were sworn-in by Mr Justice Robin Batu, Western Regional Supervising High Court Judge. Professor Bruce Banoeng-Yakubu, Dean of students, University of Ghana, Legon, is Chairman of the council. Others are Miss Mawuena Dumor, MTN Corporate Executive, Dr Tony Aubynn, Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Development Manager, Goldfields Ghana Limited, (GFGL), Tarkwa Mine, Dr Ebenezer Hayford and Mrs Georgina Nkrumah Aboah, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Chief Executive.

The rest are Mr Thomas Kofi Mensah, member of Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Prof. J.S. Kumah, Dr Martin Konadu, Mr T.K Nkrumah, Mr Bismark Offei-Kusi, Mr Boris Sibli-Rabi, Mr Samuel Aggrey, and Prof. Nii Noi Dowuona, National Council on Tertiary Education (NCTE).

Prof. Banoeng-Yakubu said it was a challenge to the council to drive the vision of UMaT to develop its capacity to compete in the global tertiary education marketplace. He said for Ghana to succeed in her poverty reduction drive, create wealth for the people and build an economically sound society, it required a well structured and funded educational system that was functional and tailored for excellence at every stage up to the tertiary level.

Prof. Banoeng-Yakubu said key strategic sectors of the economy such as mining had to be serviced through institutions specialized for their needs to ensure sustainable resource exploitation and development. "UMaT is well positioned to provide world class training and academic excellence to help service the mining industry and with the oil find, best located to offer all round support to the petroleum industry," he said.

He pointed out that the mandate of UMaT could largely be achieved through the strengthening of the role of government and courses that must be infused into the infrastructural development of UMaT as a unique institution in the country.

Prof. Banoeng-Yakubu called on members of the council to endeavour to propel UMaT to the peak of its vision by working honestly together, building consensus in all aspects of their deliberations.