Nkroful (W/R) April 4, GNA - Government has approved 4.3 billion cedis for the construction of a 12-unit classroom block and a two-storey hostel for the Community Health Nursing School at Essiama in the Nzema West District of the Western Region.

In addition, Kikam Technical Institute has also been provided with five billion cedis for infrastucture development under the Vocational and Technical (VOTEC) project.

This was announced by President John Agyekum Kufuor when he launched a 50 Billion Cedis Kwame Nkrumah Education Trust Fund (KNETFUND) at Nkroful in the Nzema East District at the weekend. The Fund, dedicated to Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was to promote education among the people of Nzema, Ghana and Africa.

It would also provide financial and material assistance to needy but brilliant students from the area; promote female education and the study of science, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT). The Fund established by the Nzema Manle Traditional Council, is to be managed by a 13-Member Board of Trustees that was inaugurated at the function.

President Kufuor said the funds allocated to educational institutions was to ensure the Western Region that contributed most of Ghana's foreign exchange from cocoa, timber and mineral resources received its fair share of opportunities being created for the youth in Ghana.

President Kufuor, who donated 50 million cedis towards the fund, said the Government had prioritised education as a fundamental requirement to the country's accelerated development plan inspite of the heavy constraints of the budget.

He said in line with this policy, Half Assini Senior Secondary School and the Nkroful Agricultural Senior Secondary Schools have been selected for upgrading into model schools.

"Funds have also been released for the construction of a girls' dormitory block at the Essiama Senior Secondary Technical School", he added. On development projects in the Western Region, President Kufuor expressed concern about delays in executing road contracts that had already been signed and awarded.

He said work on the Alla Bokazo-Tikobo roads, Telku Bokazo-Asasetre-Anyinase roads, Teseku Bokazo-Anibren-Anyinase Gwira Tumentu roads that should have been completed were still ongoing.

President Kufuor therefore, directed Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister to investigate the delays and submit a report to the Government.

He said provision of modern road networks in the region, were to open up the Region and promote economic development. President Kufuor said work on the Tarkwa-Agona Nkwanta, Bibiani-Kumasi, Bawdie-Asankrangwa and Enchi roads had already commenced.

Mr Enoch Awonoor, Member/Secretary of the Board of Trustees who read Mr Frank Ocran Chairman of the Board's address said it had decided to affiliate the Nkroful Agricultural Secondary School would be affiliated to the Cape Coast University as its community campus.

He said over the years, only few students from the Nzema area gained admission to the Universities and other Tertiary institutions and urged the people to intensify their efforts and contribute to the Fund to realize its objectives.

Nana Asiama Afrifa Poku II, Toasehene, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said a nation without knowledgeable people could not develop.

He said the vision of Dr. Nkrumah in establishing the Ghana Education Trust GET) laid the foundation in the production of high human capacity to man most of the high positions in Ghana and the world. Nana Poku said managing the KNETFUND would be very difficult and appealed to the Board of Trustees not discriminate in its disbursement. He urged the people not to use it for partisan politics but ensure it promotes education.

Nana Poku donated 10 million cedis on behalf of the Asantehene.