1. EDUCATE THE EDUCATORS ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) INNOVATIONS COURSE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) IN AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: THE CASE OF KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI, GHANA By E. Frempong Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African (MESA) Universities Partnership Programme EDUCATE THE EDUCATORS ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) INNOVATIONS COURSE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) IN AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: THE CASE OF KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI, GHANA By E. Frempong Organized by: UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) and SOUTH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME (SADC REEP) KENYA SCHOOL OF MONITARY STUDIES, NAIROBI, KENYA 4-9 MAY, 2006

2. INTRODUCTION The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology was founded to provide higher education with special reference to science and technology, and to act as a catalyst for the technological development of Ghana. It was originally established in 1951 as Kumasi College of Technology. Currently the University has undergone a fundamental restructuring from a widely fragmented collection of faculties and institutes to six (6) compact and focused colleges.

3. VISION Advancing knowledge in Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa CORE VALUES One of the four (4) core values of the University is Leadership in Innovation and Technology

4. ESD AT KNUST Sustainable Development Concepts have been incorporated in a number of programmes run by various Departments within the six (6) colleges. In addition, specific centers such as Center for Biodiversity Utilization and Development (CBUD) and Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research (KCCR) are actively involved in Sustainable Development Programmes intended to meet the economic and health needs of various communities.

5. i. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMMES Academic and administrative staffs are actively involved in community outreach programmes including: On-farm participatory trials, Collaboration with farmers and other groups Seminars, workshops and training programmes Radio/television talk shows Open-day activities for basic and secondary school students, and farmers

6. ii. COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH WITH MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (MDAs) College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, College of Science, and College of Health Sciences have very successful research linkages with MDAs.

7. iii. Participation in conservation programmes These include: Government plantation development programmes Forest resources management projects Forest sector development projects High forest biodiversity conservation projects Wild fire management in the tropical zone

8. iv. Community education on environmental issues Academic staff from the College of Art and Social Sciences educate the rural communities on environmental management practices and sustainable farming systems.

9. CONCLUSION Mainstreaming of ESD into Universities will enhance KNUSTs capacity to fulfill its vision as incorporated into its Strategic Plan 2005-2014