GETFund To Build Hostels For New Varsity

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to earmark funds for the construction of hostels and lecture rooms for the University of Energy and Natural Resources in the Brong Ahafo Region. He said the execution of such a project would be in memory of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, who initiated the establishment of the university. At a durbar of chiefs and people of the Brong Ahafo Region at the Sunyani Jubilee Park Friday, President Mahama said the university project was dear to the heart of the late President Mills. Therefore, he said, he would offer the necessary support for the university to start lectures and sustain its programmes, pledging, �Whatever I will do to support the university I will do it.� Admission process for the University of Energy and Natural Resources has begun and the first batch of students for the 2012/2013 academic year will take place in September, 2012, as planned. The colourful durbar was in honour of President Mahama, who was in the region to thank the chiefs and people for their support during the funeral of the late President John Evans Atta Mills. A number of chiefs, dressed in rich Kente cloths and gold ornaments, sat in state at the durbar to welcome President Mahama to the region. It was a beautiful blend of music and dance by various drama troupes. The Centre for National Theatre Troupe and the Police Band added flavour to the occasion with their brand of music, drumming and dancing. Earlier, a large crowd of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters converged on the Sunyani Airport to welcome President Mahama to the region. He was accompanied by his wife, Lordina, who hails from the region, and some government officials. President Mahama requested for a minute�s silence to be observed for the late President Mills who died exactly a month Friday. Touching on roads, the President promised to complete all the major roads started by the late President Mills in the Brong Ahafo Region. Additionally, he said, the government had earmarked some roads to be constructed in the region, especially in cocoa-growing areas. The President said the late President Mills had done a lot of projects in all the districts within the three-and-half years that he was in power, and mentioned the construction of schools to eliminate those under trees, the construction of roads and establishment of district hospitals as some examples. He, therefore, underscored the need for Ghanaians to rally together to project the vision of the late Presidents Mills of achieving a Better Ghana. Touching on party politics, President Mahama said political opponents were not enemies, and that they were all seeking the good of the country with different strategies. He, therefore, stressed the need for Ghanaians to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election to maintain the peace and stability of the country. He specifically asked the youth not to allow themselves to be influenced by selfish politicians to visit mayhem on their perceived political opponents. The President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, said the late President Mills had executed a lot of projects in the region, and indicated that the University of Energy and Natural Resources was one of the great legacies of the late President in the region. He expressed the hope that President Mahama would continue all the projects started by the late President Mills in the region. Osahene Aterkyi II condemned the use of insulting and abusive language in the media, adding that it was against the customs and traditions of Ghana. He said the insults and vilification had the tendency to disturb the country�s peace and stability. Osahene Aterkyi urged all political parties to collaborate with the Electoral Commission (EC) to organise a peaceful election this year. The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, said the government had constructed several school blocks, distributed free uniforms and exercise books and increased the coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the region.