By Michael Foli Jackidy
Dzodze (V/R), Aug. 27, GNA – The Reverend Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ketu North, has assured the Sena Institute of Technology (SIT) of the Assembly’s support as the institution works towards attaining full university status.
The assurance followed a meeting between the MCE and a delegation from the Institute, led by its President and Founder, Dr Andrew Agbleke, at the Ketu North Municipal Assembly.
The discussions centred on the operations of the Institute in the Municipality and its plans to expand into a university with a strong focus on research, innovation and product development.
Dr Agbleke said the Institute, which has operated at Penyi for more than 15 years, had received accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) as part of its transition to university status.
He said SIT was established with the vision of developing a research centre for biotechnology and product development, and had trained more than 170 people over the past decade.
Dr Agbleke said the Institute had also established international exchange programmes, attracting students and researchers from institutions, including Harvard University and the University of Connecticut in the United States, as well as participants from Nigeria, The Gambia and Lesotho.
He said the Institute had made significant strides in research and product development, including the development of diagnostic tools for diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, avian influenza and swine flu.
According to him, researchers at the Institute had also sequenced about 200 samples collected from the Atlantic Ocean coastline between Aflao and Axim and were undertaking drug discovery research using local plants.
Dr Mamello Mohale, a biochemist from Lesotho and member of the delegation expected to serve as part of the founding faculty, said she was in Ghana to support efforts to transform the Institute into a university.
She said the proposed university would focus on product development, innovation, conservation, biodiversity and research into fibroids, among other areas.
Rev Amenaki commended the management of SIT for its contribution to research, innovation and human resource development in the Ketu North Municipality.
He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to supporting institutions that promote education, scientific research and development.
“We remain committed to supporting institutions that drive education, research and development in Ketu North,” he said.
Rev Amenaki expressed optimism that the successful transition of the SIT into a university would expand opportunities for research, skills development and innovation while contributing to the socio-economic development of the Municipality.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
