Regional News of Thursday, 17 December 2015

Source: GNA

Campus Connect Initiative, Ashesi University's turn

Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Education

The Ashesi University College on Wednesday took its turn on the Campus Connect Initiative.

The Initiative, is pioneered by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with student leaders and management of tertiary institutions, is to to strengthen the relationship between government and student bodies.

The Initiative brings together policy makers to address the challenges of students and provides the students insights into government policies.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Minister for Education, said the Initiative, which was non-partisan, would be replicated in all campuses across the country to help address challenges faced by students.

She said the presence of the government officials provided students the opportunity to deliberate and find solutions to issues affecting them.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the Initiative is an addition to the now institutionalized annual meeting of student leaders and officials of the Ministry with emphasis on stimulating intellectual discussions on governance in higher institutions of learning.

Mr Fiifi Fiave Kwetey, Minister of Food and Agriculture, advised the students to be innovative, creative and value what they seek to do.

He said the lack of creativity and tenacity in finding solutions to problems was the African problem and urged the students to always value whatever they have at hand and pursue issues relating to their academic fields with passion and creativity.

Dr Victor Bampoe, Deputy Minister of Health, said the Initiative was crucial to government as it would provide opportunity for stock taking and bring governance to the doorsteps of students.

This, he said, forms part of President John Dramani Mahama pledge to promote accountable and transparent governance.

Mrs Joyce Bawa Mugtari, Deputy Minister of Transport and Mrs Dzifa Abla Gomashie, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts urged the students to study courses relating to transport, tourism and Creative Arts.

They expressed appreciation to stakeholders who in diverse ways contributed to government efforts in the provision of quality education.

Dr Patrick Awuah, President of the University and the Chairman of the occasion, embraced the Initiative and underscore its usefulness to students across tertiary institutions in the country.