Kumasi, May 7, GNA- The authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Packaging Ghana (IOPG).

Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, Vice-Chancellor signed for KNUST and witnessed by Mr Kobby Yebo-Ocran, the Registrar while Mr Kofi Essuman, President of IOPG initialled for his organization.

The MOU stipulates that the two parties are fully committed to facilitating and promoting the competitiveness of Ghanaian exports on both local and international markets by improving product presentation through effective packaging.

It is to support the country's packaging industry as well as its packaging professionals and would both collaborate in the area of packaging development and promotion.

They have also decided to set up a School of Packaging as a key strategy for the development and promotion of the packaging industry in Ghana.

The two would also take appropriate steps to set up a joint Technical Committee to work out and implement the decisions and initiatives agreed upon by the two parties in the MOU.

The MOU further states that they have agreed to facilitate and promote capacity building through training and international collaboration as a means for packaging development and promotion. Prof Adarkwa said currently products from the country could not match the competition it faces in the international market due to poor labelling and packaging.

He said the signing of the MOU was historic and a dream come true, since it would pave the way for finding a lasting solution to packing problems in the nation.

Mr Essuman on his part said currently the IOPG had dealings with many packing universities and institutions across the world with the intention of linking the nation to international packing network to get acquainted with international packaging level.

Prof Daniel Bour, Provost of College of Arts and Social Science of KNUST, stated that this year the College had signed four MOUs, and that they have received lots of equipments and financial assistance, which is propelling the university forward.

He indicated that the College was in the process of signing another MOU with Akershesh University in Norway.