The Principal of Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, Rev. Dr. Charles Fosu‑Ayarkwah, has appealed to alumni, stakeholders, corporate organisations, and the general public to support the College’s efforts to protect its lands from illegal mining activities and to help acquire a new bus to enhance student transportation.
Speaking at the College’s 63rd Founders’ Day celebration and fundraising event, the Principal expressed gratitude to God and paid tribute to the institution’s founding partners—the Government of Ghana, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and the Akyem Abuakwa State—for their longstanding contributions to the College’s growth.
He noted that the College, which began 63 years ago with only six tutors and eight students, has now grown into a tertiary institution with a student population of over 1,800. “We are grateful to God for how far He has brought us. From a humble beginning, Kibi Presbyterian College of Education has grown significantly in terms of student population and infrastructure,” he said.
Despite this progress, the Principal raised serious concerns about illegal miners encroaching on a 20‑acre parcel of land acquired by the College through its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) for future expansion. He lamented that efforts by management and security personnel to stop the miners have yielded little success.
“Sometimes I personally go there to drive them away. When we remove them during the day, they return at night. They have developed ways of evading our efforts, and unfortunately, the land intended for future expansion is gradually being destroyed,” he stated.
To address the situation, the College has secured approval from its Governing Council to fence the property, but the project requires substantial financial resources. As part of the fundraising drive, the College has launched the ‘One Kitkodian, One Bag of Cement’ campaign, under which every student is contributing a bag of cement toward the fencing project.
Rev. Dr. Fosu‑Ayarkwah appealed to alumni, friends of the College, development partners, and the wider public to support the initiative. “We need to protect this land. If we fail to act now, a time may come when we will have no land left because of the destructive activities of illegal miners,” he warned.
The Principal also highlighted the College’s urgent transportation needs, explaining that the growing student population has increased demand for buses, especially for students participating in the Supported Teaching in Schools (STS) programme, which places trainee teachers in communities for practical teaching experience.
Although the government has provided some buses, he noted that the current fleet is inadequate. “We are appealing to all well‑wishers to support us in acquiring a 65‑seater bus. This will help transport our students to their various teaching practice centres on time and ensure they return safely to continue their studies,” he said.
The fundraising campaign formed a key part of the Founders’ Day celebrations, which focused on preserving the College’s legacy and ensuring its continued contribution to teacher education in Ghana. Management expressed optimism that individuals and organisations touched by the College’s appeal would support both the land protection project and the acquisition of a new bus to enhance teaching and learning.
By: Elizabeth Boafo-Mensah, Christian Messenger
