Regional News of Friday, 1 April 2011

Source: GNA

Fair to promote unity amongst students opens in Kumasi

Kumasi, April 1, GNA - Dr Kofi Owusu-Daaku, Dean of Students, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has urged student associations to promote activities that fostered social harmony and good neighbourliness.

He said under no circumstance should students be tempted to use the associations to stir up tribal sentiments, ethnocentrism and other negative practices that could roll back the gains they had made over the years.

Dr Owusu-Daaku was addressing the opening session of the 93Clubs and Societies Fair" of the Students' Representatives Council (SRC) of KNUST in Kumasi on Friday.

The two-day event is being held under the theme: 93Promoting Inter-cultural, Social and Political Integration through Dialogue - The Role of the Technocrat."

The fair, the first of its kind to be organized by the SRC, seeks to highlight the beauty and importance of all cultures both local and foreign.

Groups participating in the event are showcasing various elements of their culture including traditional beliefs and practices, foods, dances and songs.

Dr Owusu-Daaku expressed satisfaction with the harmonious relationship between the university authorities and the student associations and said this had aided the achievement of their corporate mission and vision.

He said this should be sustained for the progress of the university. The Dean commended the SRC for initiating the programme and said students needed to uphold their rich cultural heritage to protect their identity as Africans.

Edwin Amoateng Frimpong, Clubs and Societies Commissioner, KNUST SRC, said there were 15 recognized Student Clubs and Societies on campus and that it was necessary to always create the right environment to unify them. He pledged the resolve of the SRC to institutionalize the fair. 1 April 11