Published: 07 Jul 2017 Source: University Relations Office (URO)
Professor Richard Akromah, Provost, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR)
Synergy among higher education institutions, government and industry, is the key to effective use of research findings for the development of the nation. Professor Richard Akromah, Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), made this statement at the 51st Congregation Ceremony for the College.
Professor Akromah further said partnership between academia and other stakeholders was necessary to help solve developmental challenges and accelerate socio-economic growth. He indicated that it was in this light that the CANR had continually forged closer collaboration with government and industry.
He noted that the Department of Animal Science had partnered the Council for Technical and Vocational Training (COTVET) in training livestock and poultry farmers in best practices and ensuring bio-security in many farms in the country to prevent disease outbreaks.
The Department of Fisheries and Watershed was also collaborating with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority to assess the feasibility of utilizing three irrigation reservoirs in Northern Ghana to culture tilapia in cages to enhance human nutrition, alleviate poverty and improve food security in the region and the country.
He also mentioned a public-private-partnership with Akate Farms, which currently boasts of a stock of 8,000 layers. Others were the ASPIRE Food Group and the Department of Animal Science’s “Akokono” Project and the Mentukwa Joint Venture.
In congratulating the graduands, Professor Akromah encouraged them to enter the job market with a deep sense of duty and integrity coupled with determination and hard work in whatever sector of the economy they found themselves in order to achieve the purpose of their training.
In all, the College presented 606 graduands from three faculties, comprising 402 males and 204 females. The Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources graduated 155 candidates, the Faculty of Agriculture presented 414 graduands and the Faculty of Forest Resources Technology presented 37 graduands. Out of the number, 58 obtained First Class degrees, 318 had Second Class Upper degrees and 220 graduands obtained Second Class Lower degrees.