Kumasi, May 20, GNA - Nana (Dr) Otuo Siriboe II, Omanhene of Juaben and Chairman of the Council of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has called on African universities to coordinate and synchronise their competencies to set pace for true South-South co-operation.

He said it was by so doing that they could positively impact on the growth and development of the continent.

Nana (Dr) Otuo Siriboe, who is also a Member of the Council of State, was speaking during the signing of a Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the KNUST and two other top African universities, the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and the University of Venda for Science and Technology, South Africa, in Kumasi on Friday. Professor Kwesi Andam, Vice-Chancellor, KNUST, Professor G. M. Nkondo, Vice Chancellor, University of Venda, and the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor O. Ibidapo-Obe, signed the memorandum committing their respective institutions to a partnership alliance. Miss Elizabeth Ohene, Ghana's Minister of State, responsible for Tertiary Education and the Nigerian and South African High Commissioners to Ghana, Dr Olatun Kolapo, and Mr Rapulane Sydney Molekkane, witnessed the signing ceremony.

Nana (Dr) Otuo Siriboe noted with satisfaction the interest and tremendous zeal shown by the Presidents of Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa towards the implementation of NEPAD and said the birth of the partnership alliance among the three institutions was therefore, no co-incidence.

"It is my firm belief that our efforts at trying to partner each other, through collaboration, would form the basis of a continent-wide network of universities, whose major concern will be to tackle the development of Africa through the application of science and technology. The KNUST Council Chairman said higher institutions of science and technology held the key to Africa's development and the enormity of the problem would not allow them to succeed, if they did not co-operate under the aegis of the African Union and NEPAD.

He said it was for this reason that all should support and help make the partnership agreement work and break new grounds in Africa's development efforts.

Professor Andam said in line with the partnership, senior members of the three universities would soon assemble in Lagos to plan methods to access the world's facilities for sustainable research in areas that are beneficial to Africa.

"This strategy will enable us to build lasting friendship also between people of Africa. In particular, we foresee joint research co-operation between staff of the three universities, as well as fora for our students in areas of sustainable development", he added. Miss Ohene said the government would do everything to support the partnership, since the quality of life of the people was dependent on science application.

The Officials, who attended the signing ceremony later called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at his Manhyia Palace. The Asante King expressed happiness at the historic linkage arrangement and hoped it would help the continent make a breakthrough in its battle against poverty and other development challenges. 20 May 2005