Koforidua, Nov. 8, GNA - Prof Reynolds Okai has taken over the administration of the Koforidua Polytechnic as the new Rector after an investiture ceremony.

Prof Okai, 45, becomes the third Rector of the Polytechnic after Dr Henry Appiah from 1998-2005 and Dr George Afrane from 2006-2010. Nana Nkwantabisa 111, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Polytechnic, administered the oath of office on the new Rector. Prof Okai called for closer co-operation from all to help make the polytechnic a centre of excellence. He outlined his vision for the next four years as transforming the polytechnic into a Polytechnic University and maintaining a high academic standard.

Others include improvement of infrastructure, creating of good working environment and resource mobilization to increase the Internally Generated Fund among others.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the Eastern Regional Minister, congratulated the Chairman and members of the Governing Council for the efforts that had gone into the search for a new Rector. He said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) looked forward to more cooperation from the Governing Council in their bid to improve Tertiary Education delivery in the region.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo urged the management team of the polytechnic to work hard to improve access through increasing the number of programmes and modes of delivery.

He suggested to them to consider setting up a scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy students. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the government was committed to ensuring that all problems confronting tertiary education sector was swiftly dealt with and appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint in their demands.

He said the government had embarked on massive infrastructural development in the polytechnic and some structures had been completed and others are under construction.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo expressed worry about insults that had engulfed the nation and said "these political insults are tearing the nation apart". "The use of abusive and intemperate language in the Political Landscape of this country is contrary to our value system." He said instead of paying attention to issues relating to disease, poverty and hunger, those were rather relegated to the background and more attention being given to political issues which tend to increase the political temperature.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo therefore urged all and sundry to be decorous in the use of language in public places.

"As a nation, there is the urgent need to maintain a united front and demonstrate the highest degree of civil tolerance and commitment to building a prosperous nation."