We want our University Back…Afram Plains Chiefs tells Nana Addo

Chiefs and Elders of Donkorkrom in the Kwahu Afram Plains traditional area of the Eastern Region has called on President Akuffo-Addo to rescind his decision to relocate Donkorkrom campus of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development to Bunso., in the Akyeam South Municipality.

According to the Chiefs and Elders, they prefer to have the University sited in their jurisdiction to any other development project the government intend bringing.

“If the Nana Addo led administration establish the proposed University Campus here in Donkorkrom and did not do any other developmental projects in his entire four years, we will be okay with it,” the Chiefs stated at a press conference in Donkorkrom on Monday this week.

Addressing the media and irate youth, at Donkorkrom, the district capital of Kwahu Afram Plains North, the Amankuahene of the Kwahu Afram Plains Traditional Area, Nana Okuntu Sakyi, said they (the people of Afram Plains) are not against Government’s plans to site additional campuses aside the two mentioned in the Act establishing the University in any community it wants to.

Clad in red Nana Sakyi stated that, “What we simply want is the dictates of Act 898 (section 3) to be followed. Let the mentioned campuses (Donkorkrom and Somanya) in the Act be duly established before establishing any other campus as the University council may determine.”

The Chiefs expressed the view that, it was improper for the Akufo Addo led government to relocate the Donkorkrom Campus of the University to Bonsu, thereby denying the good people of Kwahu Afram Plains the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits associated with establishment of the University second campus.

Kwahu Afram Plains North, Nana Sakyi said, has suffered a lot of setbacks due to its geographical location, but there was a renewed hope when news of sitting a university campus in the area broke to them.

He added that, upon receipt of the good news on the university campus, citizens from the District and other investors had taken the opportunity and have acquired several acres of Land in the area close to the University campus site in readiness to construct Hostel facilities and other ventures to help the school function as expected.

Unexpectedly, the Amankuahene said, their joy, hope and dreams of getting a university established on their soil was being dashed when news broke that government has taken initiative to relocate the Donkorkrom campus to Bonsu.

“Afram Plains covers one-third (1/3) of the whole Eastern Region in terms of Land Mass but has been cut-off from the rest of the country because it is surrounded by water, as a result of the construction of the Akosombo Dam. This construction helped to provide electricity to the whole country while we the people of Afram Plains suffered as a result,” he stated.

The Chief further noted that, “We were extremely happy when the news to establish a tertiary institution in the Kwahu enclave specifically in Donkorkrom (Afram Plains) was released because we know how beneficial putting up a university will be for the people and any attempt to relocate it will be suicidal.”

“We are certain that the only developmental project that will largely help to propel the socio-economic development of Afram Plains and help raise the standard of living of our people is the establishment of the university” Nana Okuntu Sakyi insisted.

While demanding for the government to rescind the decision, the Chiefs cited how Ex-President Kuffour supported the establishment of the University of Development Studies by Ex-President JJ. Rawlings at its originally stated location and this has helped to boost development in the 3 Northern Regions.

The Chief explained that, project is being anticipated to lure the private sector that would bring major developmental projects the District and the entire Kwahu traditional area, with particular emphasis on the poor road network and economic boost.

The passage of Act 2015, Act 898 which established the university indicated clearly under section 3 (CAMPUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY). It states “The University shall be established in Somanya with campuses in Donkorkrom and any other place as the council may determine”.

This the Kwahu Afram Plains North Chiefs said, they would not accept in any form for the government to shortchange their pride and investment opportunity to the detriment of the future of their children and generation yet born.

They therefore called on the president through the Ministry of Education to reserve the decision for the interest of unity and development of the nation.