Extend Free WiFi To Technical Universities – Prof. Osei-Wusu Achaw

Government has been asked to extend the provision of free internet connectivity to technical universities.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), Prof. Osei–Wusu Achaw, said the lack of access to Wi-Fi services has adversely impeded virtual learning activities in the institutions.

Speaking at the 16th congregation of KsTU in Kumasi, he pleaded for an expansion of schools’ Internet connectivity rollout.

In April 2019, Vice President Dr. Bawumia requested the ECG to leverage its fibre-optic infrastructure to support the government’s Free WiFi for Schools project.

Although the government fulfilled its promise in 2020 by extending Wi-Fi connectivity in schools across the country, technical universities are yet to be connected.

The KsTU Vice-Chancellor wants government to extend the free Wi-Fi connectivity.

“The government recently provided free Wi-Fi to the traditional universities and senior high schools but left out the technical universities.

“We kindly ask government to extend the gesture to technical universities so that the burden of providing Wi-Fi service to enable our staff and students undertake virtual learning activities will be abated,” he noted.
A total of 3,546 students graduated from the university with over 6,000 students being admitted.

The student population now stands at over 13,000.

The student-staff ratio in the university is currently high when measured against the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) standards.

Prof. Osei–Wusu Achaw pleaded with the government to provide clearance to enable the university to recruit more staff.

“Our student-staff ratio is unusually high, especially when measured against Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) norm of 1:18.

“The university, therefore, pleads with the government to provide clearance to enable us to recruit an additional 500 staff so we can meet the GTEC norms,” he said.

He again asked the government to exclude the “University’s lands at Danyame in its ongoing redevelopment agenda at Danyame Ridge enclave.”

“The university needs those lands to be able to achieve its developmental objectives in order to contribute meaningfully to the national cause,” the VC emphasized.

The Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) has been adjudged the best technical university in Ghana and the 8th among all the 68 universities in the country.