Govt sets up committee to plan 11 new public universities
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has inaugurated a 17-member Committee to advise the government on the establishment of 11 new public universities across the country, with emphasis on research and innovation, manpower development, and stronger linkages between academia and industry.
The Committee is chaired by Dr Mrs Christina Amoako-Nuama. Other members include Mrs Lydia Essuah, Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, Prof. Salifu Mohammed, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, Prof. Goski Alabi, Prof. Gordon Adika, and Prof. Smile Gavua Dzisi.
The rest are Mr Paul Adjei, Dr Augustine Tawiah, Mr Richard Nii Dadey, Mr Paul Parker Atitsogbui, Mr Francis Obeng, Dr Victoria Osei Bonsu, Dr Agyemang Danquah, Ms Catherine Ekua Mensah, and Dr Emmanuel Newman.
The committee is expected to submit its recommendations to the Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who will present the report together with the committee to President John Dramani Mahama for consideration and possible submission to Cabinet and Parliament.
The directive was announced at the inauguration ceremony held yesterday in Accra, where members were tasked with supporting the government’s ambition of ensuring that every region has at least one public university to expand access to quality higher education.
The proposed universities include a Technical University in Kintampo in the Bono Region, a Technical University in Jasikan in the Oti Region, a Science and Technology University in Damongo in the Savannah Region, and the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences (UEAS) in Bunso in the Eastern Region.
Others include the re-establishment of Ohawu Agriculture College in the Volta Region as a constituent college of UEAS, and another UEAS constituent college at Acherensua in the Ahafo Region.
Additional proposals include a College of Mining and Agriculture Entrepreneurship at Kenyasi No. 2 as a constituent college of the University of Mines and Technology; a College of Pharmacy and Biomedical Engineering in the Volta Region; the elevation of the Agriculture College at Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region into a fully-fledged university; and the establishment of the University of Mampong in the Ashanti Region.
The government is also considering the establishment of a world-class business college in Kwahu in the Eastern Region, as well as a new institution at Jomoro Aseem in the Western Region.
Mr Iddrisu stated that higher education is a critical public good and noted that many young people still face challenges in accessing quality tertiary education.
The committee pledged to work diligently, with integrity and professionalism, and to engage stakeholders widely in order to provide evidence-based recommendations.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
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