In a powerful gesture of alumni leadership and civic responsibility, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Member of Parliament for Bantama and former Minister for Roads and Highways, returned to his alma mater — the Department of Planning at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) — to commission a state-of-the-art Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory to support the training of a new generation of planners.
The facility, fully funded by the Bantama Asenso-Boakye Foundation, is equipped with 50 high-performance computers, laptops and advanced software applications tailored for spatial data analysis, mapping, and geospatial planning. The lab is expected to transform teaching, research, and professional training in planning and development at KNUST.
Recalling his formative years as a student leader — first as Financial Secretary and later as President of the student body at the then Faculty of Environmental and Development Studies. Hon. Asenso-Boakye credited his time at KNUST with shaping his values and professional path.
“As a student leader here nearly three decades ago, I learned the value of service, teamwork, and commitment to purpose. Those values have guided my entire public life,” he stated during the commissioning ceremony, which was attended by faculty, students, alumni, Members of Parliament from the Kumasi bloc, and dignitaries across sectors.
He went on to acknowledge the invaluable mentorship he received from Professor Emeritus Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa, former Vice Chancellor of KNUST, under whom he served as a research assistant on a project studying accidents on feeder roads.
“That opportunity offered me rare insights into Ghana’s road network and transportation systems — insights that proved especially useful during my tenure as Minister for Roads and Highways,” he reflected.
The commissioning also marked the renewal of a meaningful academic partnership between Hon. Asenso-Boakye and Professor Clifford Amoako, a fellow alumnus and current Head of the Department. Together, they announced a bold new initiative — the establishment of a Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Research Hub, which will serve as a multidisciplinary platform for applied research, policy analysis, and practical training.
“The hub will help bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application,” Hon. Asenso-Boakye explained. “It will support data-driven planning and bring together academia, government, private sector actors, and development partners to confront Ghana’s complex urban and infrastructure challenges.”
Professor Christian Koranteng, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, who represented the Provost of the College of Art and Built Environment, commended Hon. Asenso-Boakye for his exceptional vision and commitment to higher education and national development.
In his remarks, he emphasized that academic theory alone is not sufficient in today’s planning environment:
“Theoretical knowledge alone is not enough to be a master of any field. This lab provides the missing link — the opportunity for our students to apply what they learn in real, practical contexts.”
Prof. Koranteng also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Member of Parliament, describing him as a product of the university who continues to pour back into its growth:
“You are the seed that fell on good soil. We are deeply grateful for this kind gesture.”
Professor Clifford Amoako, Head of the Department of Planning, also expressed appreciation to his long time friend from the same department:
“This is a powerful reminder that when alumni remain connected and committed, the impact extends far beyond classrooms. We are deeply grateful to Hon. Asenso-Boakye for his unwavering commitment and dedication to the school.
The Dean went further to make a passionate appeal to other alumni:
“We urge all past students of this great Department to follow this example — to come back to their roots and support the next generation. The challenges in planning and development today demand not just institutional commitment, but collective alumni responsibility.
The event underscored the transformative potential of alumni engagement in reshaping the future of academic institutions and national development. The tour of the new GIS Lab drew praise from attendees, who described the facility as a “game-changer” in planning education in Ghana.
In closing, Hon. Asenso-Boakye called for greater collaboration between alumni, academia, and national stakeholders:
“The challenges our country faces — from unplanned urbanization and housing deficits to youth unemployment and climate change — demand knowledge, innovation, and joint effort. I urge all of us, especially alumni, to give back in ways that uplift and empower future generations.”
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