News
Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwa takes office as third UMAT Vice-Chancellor
Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwa, was last Friday, sworn into office as the third Vice Chancellor of University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa in the Western Region (UMaT), with a pledge to improve sustainable artisanal small- scale mining and emergency response.
“UMat will not only teach, but, also practise what it taught and requested the Minister of Land and Natural Resources to provide a mineralised land for the university to start the UMaT small scale mine.”
Before his investiture the, Chairman of the Council, Dr Steve S. Yirenkyi,led the new VC to swear the oath of office and robedhim with the VC’s robe.
Prof. Amankwa , 54, who was the Dean, Faculty of Integrated Management Science (FIMS), became a full professor in 2011.
He is a distinguished, internationally acclaimed scholar, a business-oriented academic, and had provided dedicated services for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and UMaT.
He said: “This venture will grow to become a model mine and a centre for training artisanal and small scale miners in the -sub region with the best practices in resource optimisation and environmental sustainability.In addition to the potential financial rewards of such a venture,we will create more revenue for industrial training for our students and create employment for our gradates.”
“We can achieve these ideals and move towards becoming a centre of excellence and hence the MIT of Africa that the Chancellor charged us to do,if only we can build appropriate partnerships.”
Prof. Amankwaa indicated that his vision was to deepen scholarship, innovation and entrepreneurship in UMaT to drive sustainable industrial development in Ghana and beyond and believed that “this will not be the VCs vision, but, our vision for the next four years, so that together we can pursue the agenda with enthusiasm.”
He said, the vision, carved out of UMaT strategic plan, would be achieved through impact-oriented teaching, research and extension services, improved infrastructure, information communication and technology, enriched governance system and leadership, intensified financial resources mobilisation and management and enhanced student experience and development.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, noted that UMaT had become an engine of growth and development producing industry oriented graduates in engineering.
He said research findings put Ghana, a nation endowed with rich minerals, in a strategic position as a global leader in mining, petroleum and allied industries.
He said: “UMaT would continue to build the mindset of students to be more entrepreneurial and create the environment where they would be able to practice what they learn.
This concept is aimed at equipping graduates of the University with the capacity to set up their businesses to be employers rather than employees.”
The President urged UMaT to team up with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, other ministries and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop skills and technologies to transform small scale mining in Ghana and help sanitise galamsey, which was connected to illegal and irresponsible mining.
The Chairman of UMaT Council, Dr Steve Yirenkyi, urged all stakeholders to join Prof .Amankwa to build UMAT so that, it could fulfill its mandate of training worldclass professionals in the field of mining petroleum, technology and related disciplines for the development of Ghana.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Tarkwa
Government has inaugurated a Technical Committee to drive the implementation of the Accra Marine Drive Tourism Investment Project, a key initiative aimed at transforming the capital’s waterfront into a world-class tourism and commercial hub.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described the move as a critical step to accelerate progress, stressing the need for efficiency, collaboration, and accountability.
The Committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Yussif Issaka Jajah, will coordinate stakeholders, address bottlenecks, and ensure timely delivery of the project.
The initiative is expected to boost tourism, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has stepped up its fire safety education efforts in Suhum Municipality and Abetifi Odwenease as part of ongoing campaigns to prevent fire outbreaks and improve emergency readiness.
In Suhum, fire officers engaged traders and customers, educating them on handling LPG leakages, proper use of fire extinguishers, and general shop safety practices. Meanwhile, the Kwahu East Command extended outreach in Abetifi Odwenease, visiting homes, drinking spots, construction sites, and stores to promote safe handling of flammable materials, proper electrical usage, and correct gas cylinder placement.
Practical demonstrations on fire extinguisher use were conducted, and residents were encouraged to adopt good housekeeping habits and proactive safety measures to reduce fire risks and protect lives and property.
