Deputy Minister of Education, Mahama Ayariga has categorically denied ever saying that the amount to be spent on the construction of University for Allied and Medical Sciences in the Volta Region is yet to be sourced.
According to some sections of the Ghanaian media quoting the Deputy Minister for Education, Government has no funds to begin work on the proposed University to be sited in the Volta Region.
“…it is not a matter of not knowing the amount involved in the project; I cannot say it outrightly. We have not yet put everything together and so I cannot say the amount right away. I will be meeting with the consultants and the Regional Minister to see how much will spent especially in the procurement process,” Hon Ayariga reportedly said.
The Daily Guide and Ghanaian Chronicle newspapers of Monday May 30, claimed Mr. Ayariga had admitted that although the design for the proposed University had been completed with President Mills cutting the sod for the start of the project, its execution would not be possible within the stated time frame.
The papers further quoted Mr. Ayariga as saying that government was now sourcing for funds from China to construct the proposed State University in the region, and that a draft bill for the establishment of the university had already been approved by cabinet, and would soon be presented to Parliament for approval.
But speaking in an interview with Kwami Sefa-Kayi on Peacefm’s Flagship programme, ‘Kokrokoo’ on Monday, the Deputy Education Minister flatly denied the reports.
“I have never stated anywhere that government has no money to fund the University. I am very very surprised, shocked that Chronicle and Daily Guide will come out with such a publication that I said government has no money to start a University…Since taking over, I have been working with my colleagues on the Universities after the President did the sod-cutting. I have been working to ensure that the timeline for the completion of the project will be achieved…”
He, however, pointed out that there is nothing untoward in securing loans from foreign countries since that is what every government does to accomplish a project; “but that does not mean that the government of Ghana does not have money. There are many projects in the country that has been funded by foreign aids and loans…,” he said.
According to the Deputy Minister, the procurement process for the project will commence this week for work to begin on the site.
Source: Rebecca Quaye/Peacefmonline.com/GIJ
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