The Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, Mr Eric Opoku, has broken ground for the construction of the Sankore College of Agriculture and Technology (SCANT) at Sankore in the Ahafo Region.

Addressing stakeholders at the ceremony, Mr. Opoku described the project as the biggest educational investment in agriculture in the Ahafo Region and one of a kind in Ghana.

He said the college is designed to train students in modern and technology-driven agriculture, with a strong focus on wealth creation, value addition and sustainable food production.

The Minister disclosed that the college will comprise eight-storey buildings and will be supported by eight key contributors. Construction is scheduled to run from January 2025 to December 2027, with admissions expected to begin in 2027.

He announced that President John Dramani Mahama will officially open the college upon completion in 2027.

Mr. Opoku commended the Chief and people of Sankore for allocating land for the project, describing the gesture as a major sacrifice for national development.

He assured farmers whose farmlands are affected that they will be adequately compensated, singling out Mr. Nkrumah for special mention for dedicating his cocoa farm land to support the project.

According to the Minister, the Sankore College of Agriculture and Technology is not only for the present generation but also for generations yet unborn, stressing that the institution will stand as one of the lasting legacies of President Mahama’s vision for agricultural transformation and education.

The Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, who was present at the ceremony, pledged his country’s support for the project.

He announced scholarship opportunities for agriculture students to study in Turkey, as well as scholarships for ten teachers who will be trained in Turkey to take up teaching roles at the Sankore College of Agriculture and Technology.

In addition, selected Ghanaian farmers will be sent to Turkey to acquire practical skills in modern agricultural practices.

The ceremony brought together traditional authorities, farmers, government officials and development partners, who expressed optimism that the college will transform agriculture in the Ahafo Region and beyond through innovation, technology and skills development.