Komenda College of Education, the University of Cape Coast and other tertiary institution within the Central region were today disinfected to pave way for the reopening of tertiary school on January 9, 2021.
The exercise is expected to last for three days and it is expected to cover all universities, colleges of education, and training institutions.
The exercise which is being undertaken by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with waste management giant, Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL), forms part of a nationwide exercise which started simultaneously in five regions on Wednesday January 6, 2021, covered Greater Accra, Central, Volta, Ashanti and Bono region.
Briefing media men after the disinfection of the Komenda College of Education, the Principal, Kwesi Nkum Mensah, commended the government for disinfecting the institution’s lecture halls, bungalows and dormitories.
According to the Principal, “With the increase in the intake of students, it was necessary for the school facilities to be disinfected to curb any spread of the disease”.
He stated that the school has constructed 200 new metal beds, purchased 300 mattresses and completed the ladies’ hall which can accommodate over 190 extra students.
As part of measures to control the spread of the disease on campus, Mensah said, the school authorities have agreed to reduce the number of students in the dormitories from 14 to 8. While ensuring that all students adhere to the Covid-19 preventive protocols.
He noted that the school has some materials including veronica buckets and nose masks in stock but it needs more to meet the expected demand.
According to the Public Relations Affairs Director of the Cape Coast University, Major Rtd. Kofi Baah-Bentum, the university is implementing the hybrid system where some group of the students will be engaging in online lectures, whiles others will be physically present at the lecture halls. Again, the school has expanded its facilities to ensure physical and social distances.
He further mentioned that the “school authorities have engaged the management of Ndowm School of Business to use the facility as a satellite campus for our business students”,
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According to the Public Affairs Director, the school which is expecting about 8,000 students for this academic year, is in a better position to ensure the safety of the students since it flawlessly managed the students during the climax of the pandemic last year.
He noted that the school has not reached any agreement to expel students who breach the Covid-19 preventive protocols but rather they will ensure enforcement of wearing of nose masks and washing of hands before entering any of the lecture halls.
He commended Zoomlion for discharging their duties timely and professionally.
They have been our partner since the Covid-19 broke out, they have been professional and timely and we are even exploring new areas where they can be of help to us,” he stated.
Gideon Sogbey, the Central Regional Vector Control Manager- Zoomlion, observed that, about 11 public and private tertiary institutions including University of Cape Coast, Ola Training College, Perez University and the University of Education Winneba will be disinfected in the region. And to ensure a successful exercise, the company has deployed over 1500 spray operatives, over 200 machines including atomizer, mist blowers and electrostatic forger. “We have deployed state-of-the-art equipment for this exercise,” he emphasized.
He underscored that the chemicals being used to disinfected the facilities are approved by the World Health Organization and that there was nothing to fear.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his 21st COVID-19 address to the nation, directed all basic, senior high schools (SHSs) and tertiary institutions to be disinfected before reopening.
The exercise is expected to continue tomorrow.
