Kpong (GAR), June 11, GNA - Authorities of the University of Ghana ( UG) have begun constructing laboratories and office complex for its Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) to augment research activities

towards agricultural development in the country. Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, out-going Vice Chancellor of UG cu t the sod for commencement of

work on the 300,000-dollar project at Kpong in the Lower Manya Krobo District of Greater Accra Region

on Thursday. The project is expected to be completed within six months. Professor Tagoe said the University authorities recognised the role of the College of Agriculture and

Consumer Sciences in the country's agricultural development and would continue to provide the College

with the necessary infrastructure to facilitate its activities. He called on government to support tertiary institutions to ensure t hat quality graduates were

produced to impart their knowledge to those at the lower levels. Prof. Tagoe said even though the call by individuals and interest groups for a review of the Ghana

Education Trust Fund (GETFund) law to include second- cycle institutions was in the right direction, it

must not be done to the detriment of higher education. He said higher education was very important to the country's development, adding "the nation may

be heading for a doom if higher education is not supported, since it is t he products of higher institutions

of learning that mentor students of lower institutions". Prof. Tagoe lauded the establishment of the GETFund which, he said, was being copied and

implemented by other countries. He spoke about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) saying the apparent failure of nations to

achieve the targets before the 2015 deadline was because they failed to recognise the role higher

education could play towards the attainment of the MDGs. Mr Michael Teye Nyaunu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Lower Manya Krobo, expressed gratitude to

authorities of the university for the project, and said research findings

which would be carried out by the

Faculty would be of immense benefit to the people. He called on the media to publicise research findings to all and sun dry to increase agricultural

production. Professor Kwame Afreh-Nuamah, Director of the Institute of Agricultu ral Research of UG, said the

project would bring some enthusiasm into the activities of the ARC. He said the lack of laboratories and offices was negatively affectin g their activities. Mr Isaac Agbo Tetteh, Lower Manya Krobo District Chief Executive, pledged to improve the access

road to enhance transportation of staff and students to the centre. He expressed appreciation to the authorities for undertaking the project which was in line with

government's programme to ensure modern agricultural production in the country. Manye Maku I, Queenmother of Kpong, conferred the title of "Akuafo Manya", meaning King of

Farmers, on Professor Tagoe for bringing the project to the area. She decorated Professor Tagoe in traditional regalia in accordance w ith the custom of Kpong

Traditional Area.