Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Commissions New Facilities at Its 59th Congregation
In a significant push to upgrade campus infrastructure and enrich academic and student life, KNUST under the auspices of Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (Vice‑President of Ghana) and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (Asantehene and Chancellor of KNUST) officially inaugurated several new facilities during the climax of its 59th Congregation.
✅ What was inaugurated
- A modern KNUST Souvenir Shop offering branded merchandise for students, staff, alumni, and visitors.
- A new four‑storey Multipurpose Laboratory designed to expand practical training and multidisciplinary research, and ease pressure on existing science labs.
- A state‑of‑the‑art Bottling Factory equipped with advanced processing and packaging technology, enhancing the University’s beverage and bottled‑water production capabilities.
- The Institute of Rural Development and Innovation Studies (IRDIS) to foster rural development research and innovation.
- A set of Agri‑Impact Greenhouses expanding agricultural innovation resources on campus.
- A Children’s Park providing a recreational, child‑friendly space on campus for families, staff, and visitors.
🎯 Why this matters
- The new lab and greenhouse infrastructure signal strengthened commitment to hands‑on training, research and innovation especially in science and agriculture.
- The bottling factory and souvenir shop reflect a push towards practical, income‑generating and entrepreneurial ventures by the University aligning academic activity with industry‑standard production and commercial services.
- The addition of IRDIS and the greenhouses supports rural‑ and agricultural‑development research, which can contribute meaningfully to national priorities in food security, agribusiness, and community development.
- The Children’s Park is a step toward enhancing campus life and community‑oriented amenities, making KNUST more inclusive and family‑friendly for staff, students, and visitors.
💬 Leadership Perspectives
At the inauguration ceremony, Vice‑President Opoku‑Agyemang praised KNUST for “upholding academic excellence while producing research that goes beyond theory into practical solutions for society.”
In turn, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II congratulated the University management, architecture and construction teams for their diligence, calling the new facilities a reflection of the “vision, leadership and commitment” that continue to define KNUST.