In a bid to support the government's effort at promoting quality education in all the tertiary institutions in the country, the British American Tobacco {BAT} Ghana, has presented two different kinds of cheques amounting to ¢250 million to two state-run universities.

The two beneficiary state-run schools, the University of Ghana, Legon, received a cheque for ¢100million for the Jubilee Hall Fund, while the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi {KNUST} received ¢150million for the establishment of Research Chair in Agro-Forest at the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony last Friday, the managing director of BAT, Mr. Jimmy Idun-Ogde, a product of KNUST, said, "Accelerated natural development depends largely on the quality of Ghanaian's manpower resources and that it is for this reason that the support for national education development continues to feature prominently among corporate social responsibilities initiatives."

Recounting on numerous projects and supports mounted by BAT in the country, the MD said BAT would continue to be sponsoring 44 tertiary students in any each year.

Receiving the money on behalf of the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, the vice-chancellor, promised that the money would be used to enhance quality education and also to complete the second phase of the Jubilee Hall.

Prof. Asenso-Okyere said as a result of congestion of most halls in the campus, the Jubilee Hall was born in 1995 to decongest it.

He appealed to other organizations to come to their aid saying that education is now expensive.

He commended BAT, whose vision is leading in everything they do, not to relent on the efforts but to continue with their support.

Prof. Henry Nii-Adziri Wellington, the acting pro- vice chancellor of KNUST, said the donation would help sustain ecological heritage and also to reduce poverty and to create wealth especially in the rural areas through the research Agro-Forest set up in the University.

He also assured the donors that the money would be used to reduce environmental degradation.

Prof. Nii-Adziri said the KNUST would also undergo the process of awarding prizes to those who excel in the area of Agro-Forestry.