Pampram (GAR), March 11, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for more private sector participation in the educational sector to meet the demands of population growth and human resource development in the country.

He decried the deplorable conditions in public universities and stressed that public-private partnership would help lessen the stress most teachers and students had to endure in institutions of higher learning.

Former President Kufuor made the call during an official tour of Miotso campus of the Central University College (CUC) at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region on Thursday.

He was impressed with the use of environmentally-friendly technology to harness power and harvest rainwater after touring the science laboratory, lecture hall, architectural studio and laboratory. Addressing a section of the students at the end of his tour, Former President Kufuor called on them to learn hard to brace up the developmental challenges in the country, stressing that determination and hard work were essential to succeed in the world which technology had turned into a village (global village).

He asked the students to make use of the richly experienced and highly qualified faculty members and teaching staff in the university to develop both their spiritual and moral lives in order to meaningfully contribute to national and international development. Former President Kufuor paid glowing tributes to some religious leaders whose contributions had ensured that the country's educational system was raised to a higher pedestal.

He mentioned Dr. Mensah Otabil, Chancellor of CUC, for his contributions in the educational sector and stressed the fact that private sector participation in education was essential in developing human resource base in the country. Former President Kufuor pledged support, goodwill and encouraged Dr. Otabil to continue to serve as an inspirational speaker for not only the students but the rest of Ghanaians. Dr. Otabil expressed appreciation for the visit and gave the assurance that CUC would continue to provide quality and accessible higher education to students pursuing secular education and religious learning. He said it was heart-warming that the university placed 58th in the recent top 100 universities in Africa but third in top 10 universities in Ghana. Dr. Otabil announced that the authorities would soon introduce law and technology degree courses for students interested in those fields. 11 March 10

Caption for pictures: 150: Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, (third right) in a group picture with Dr. Mensah Otabil (third left) and some of the faculty members of the university.

104-148: Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, visits Central University