KNUST SRC launches initiative to support needy students with free food

Needy students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) can now heave a sigh of relief as the Students Representative Council (SRC) has instituted a policy to help provide needy students on the university campus with free food items.

The initiative, which is a brainchild of the Women’s Commission of the SRC, is aimed at targeting over a thousand needy students.

According to the SRC Women’s Commissioner, Sandra Esinam Sosu-Dees, they have observed that some students face serious financial challenges and as a result, the intervention will significantly help improve their conditions.

“During my campaign period, I met a couple of ladies who were in dire need of just food items. There was a particular lady who is super happy when she is given GH₵2 a day just to buy beans. I asked myself that if she doesn’t get someone who will give her this amount of money, how far will she go if she is hungry?  The idea then came up to start a food bank which will be a storeroom stocked with food items. Students can just walk in to get something to sustain themselves throughout the day,” she said.

Sandra Esinam Sosu-Dees said that as part of measures to ensure that deserving students are given the food items and also to ensure continuity even after the current SRC Executives leave office, the University’s counselling department and the office of the Dean of Students have been involved in its implementation.

Speaking during a short ceremony to launch the initiative, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso indicated that the management of the University will commit resources to make the food bank fully operational to support needier students.

“For my students to think about the needy among them and to individually and collectively go round soliciting for food items for students that cannot afford even a square meal in a day is something that I am very appreciative of. Management wants to support their effort. We also want to throw in as many food items that we can find on our own and as management to also support this venture. In the coming days, I am sure we will get the food bank fully filled for the benefit of the many that cannot afford a square meal,” he stated.

Some students in an interview with Citi News lauded the SRC for the initiative.

“I think the food bank is a very good initiative looking at the current situation we find ourselves in where people can hardly afford three square meals. I think the food bank is a necessity for us all,” one student stated.

“I didn’t expect it to be this big. I am so happy because it is going to help needy students on campus,” another added.