The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has named a newly established Infrastructure Research Hub at its Department of Planning after the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, in recognition of his contributions to development planning and infrastructure provision in Ghana.
The facility, known as the Asenso-Boakye Infrastructure Research Hub, was officially commissioned on Monday, March 16th 2026, marking another milestone in the university’s efforts to strengthen research capacity and policy innovation in infrastructure development.
The hub represents the second major academic support initiative delivered by Asenso-Boakye to the Department of Planning within a year, following the establishment of the Asenso-Boakye Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory in 2025.
Established through a partnership between the Bantama Asenso-Boakye Foundation and the Department of Planning, the research hub is designed to support research and collaboration in areas such as infrastructure planning, sustainable housing development, transport systems, and urban management.
The facility comprises four well-furnished offices, a staff reception area, and modern research facilities equipped with advanced computer systems, specialised software applications, printers, and other equipment to support academic research and professional collaboration.
Addressing the gathering at the forecourt of the Amphitheatre of the new College of Art and Built Environment (CABE) Building during the commissioning ceremony, Asenso-Boakye emphasised that the initiative forms part of a broader effort to bridge the gap between academic research and infrastructure development in Ghana.
He noted that universities play a crucial role in generating ideas and policy solutions that shape national development and stressed that the research hub would serve as a platform for collaboration between researchers, policymakers, industry players, and development practitioners.
According to him, the centre will support research in key areas including urban planning, sustainable housing, transport systems, energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient development.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, commended Hon. Asenso-Boakye for his sustained commitment to advancing planning education and research at KNUST.
He described the establishment of the research hub as a significant contribution that would enhance the university’s capacity to undertake policy-relevant research and develop practical solutions to Ghana’s growing urban and infrastructure challenges.
In a similar vein, the Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, commended Asenso-Boakye for the initiative and emphasised the need for policymakers to champion similar efforts that promote research-driven development.
He noted that many developed countries began their transformation through similar investments in research and innovation, which later shaped their national development policies and infrastructure systems.
The Asenso-Boakye Infrastructure Research Hub is expected to serve as a centre for interdisciplinary research and innovation, supporting students, faculty and development practitioners in developing sustainable solutions to Ghana’s infrastructure and urban development needs.
During a tour of the newly established hub with faculty members and other dignitaries, a number of ideas and recommendations were shared on how the facility could further strengthen research and training in infrastructure development.
Among the proposals discussed was the possibility of the Department of Planning introducing a specialised programme in Infrastructure Research in the future to deepen academic work in the field.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com