Jachie (Ashanti Regiin) 23 Nov. '98

Constructional work on the proposed Asantewaa-Du Bois University at Jachie in the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district of Ashanti is to commence in early March 1999 to be completed within three years. Already, the necessary processes for the legal acquisition of 66.6 hectares of land for the project has been completed. The University is a collaborative venture between a group of African-Americans and some Ghanaian professionals operating under the umbrella of the Infrastructure Development for Education in Africa (IDEA), a non-profit making organisation. In line with preparations towards the smooth take off of the proposed institution, a six-member African-American delegation on Sunday visited Jachie. Mr Joseph Bates, leader of the delegation, told the chiefs and people at a colourful durbar held in their honour that a computer manufacturing plant would also be attached to the university, whose courses of study would focus principally on mathematics, science and technology. He said it is their aim to put the technology, knowledge and experiences they have acquired at the service of the people in Africa to adequately prepare them for the challenges of the next millennium and speed up the development of the continent. Mr Isaac K. Nyame, the District Chief Executive, described the project as most welcomed, noting that, it would significantly help to make tertiary education easily accessible. He repeated the government's commitment to promote and encourage cost-sharing and private participation in the development of education in the country. Mr M. D. Wereko, the assembly member for the area advised parents to send their children to school in order to put them in a better position to take advantage of the institution when it becomes functional. Baffour Kwaku Amoateng the third, Jachiehene, assured those, who lost their lands as a result of the project that they will be compensated. An amount of 2.1 million cedis was raised by the people at the durbar in support of the project. Earlier, members of the delegation, who adopted local Ghanaian names, presented a computer valued at over 10 million cedis to the Jachiehene.