Mr Osei Assibey Antwi (3rd left), presenting a dummy cheque to Prof. Obiri-Danso
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has secured GH¢66,950 from the National Investment Bank to enable the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to beautify Kumasi and help restore its status as the Garden City of West Africa.
The initial phase of the project, scheduled from January to June this year, includes the planting of flowers, trees and shrubs on the median between Adum and Asafo roads, both suburbs of Kumasi.
The beautification project, a collaboration between the assembly and the university, falls in line with the vision of the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, to make the city attractive to tourists and investors in the West African sub-region.
The MCE presented the cheque from the National Investment Bank to the Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, and said plans were afoot to source more funds to complete the entire exercise.
Proposal
On assumption of office last year, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive presented a paper to the university to be developed using its expertise and knowledge to partner the city authority to green Kumasi.
Following that, KNUST presented a proposal to the KMA to help source funds to execute the project in phases.
Prof. Obiri-Danso said the next phase of the project would involve planting of trees on the shoulders of the roads across the city.
A team of experts, including engineers and horticulturists, has been put together to identify high-yielding plants and seeds for the project.
Scope
The two institutions are also collaborating in broad-based areas in youth empowerment and development through mentorship, entrepreneurship and engineering.
-DailyGraphic