He gave the advice during the maiden matriculation ceremony at the Bibiani Study Centre in the Western North Region to usher in fresh students for the 2022/2023 academic year.

A total of 44 fresh students, made up of 34 males and 10 females, were matriculated to pursue certificate programmes  in surface and underground mining, survey and mapping, operational, and health safety within one year.

The Vice Chancellor congratulated them for choosing UMat for their university education where knowledge, truth and  excellence  were  the hall mark.

The era in which youth in the various mining communities were denied employment opportunities in mining companies due to lack of appropriate mining skills was over, he said.

Prof Amankwah said the university management established  the  study centre at Bibiani to equip the youth  with the requisite knowledge and skills to compete favourably  on the job market.

He encouraged the youth who had   the passion to work in mining firms, particularly in Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality,  to take advantage of the programmes offered at the centre.

He announced that the  University had plans to establish more study centres in the various mining communities to raise professionals to help solve the  unemployment problems in Ghana.

Prof. Amankwah lauded the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, who doubles as the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, and Western North Regional Minister, Mr. Aboagye Gyedu, for their tremendous contribution towards the establishment of the Bibiani Study  Centre.

Some of the matriculants who could not hide their joy expressed gratitude to the school management   and  the   traditional authorities for making the study centre possible.
They pledged to study hard to attain the requisite knowledge and skills to enhance their wellbeing and that of society.