Kumasi, Aug 8, GNA - The Kumasi Archdiocese is to raise two billion cedis out of the national budget of 10 billion cedis in support of development of the Catholic University at Fiapre in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Reverend George Kocherry, who announced this said, apart from fund-raising by the various Catholic dioceses, contributions and donations were also being mobilised from individuals to meet the 10 billion cedis target in respect of development of the university.

Most Rev. Kocherry made the announcement at a service held by the Saint Paul's Catholic Parish of Amakom, in Kumasi on Sunday to raise funds in support of development of the university. The Apostolic Nuncio said even though the church had already acquired a six-mile square plot of land at Fiapre for establishment of the university, little has been done in respect of infrastructure development.

He mentioned administration and classroom blocks, library and a canteen, as facilities though badly needed but lacking. "Monies that would be mobilised now will go directly into the provision of such facilities to ensure a smooth take-off of the university programmes", the Most Rev. Kocherry added. He made it clear that the Catholic Church was not in any way deviating from its original mission of evangelism by venturing into the education sector.

Apostolic Nuncio said rather, the move is to help produce competent and discipline people, who would be assets to the church and nation and not liabilities.

Most Rev. Kocherry observed that education was the greatest legacy people could bequeath to their children and for that matter, they should be poised to donate generously in development of any educational project, especially the Catholic University. Rev Father Philip Opoku Nyame, Parish Priest of the St. Paul's Parish, advised the Parishners not to look solely to the church to develop the university but also make individual contributions towards achieving that feat.