The Ministry of Education is seeking greater accountability from public universities in Ghana regarding their use of internally generated funds (IGFs).
Haruna Iddrisu emphasized the importance of prudent financial management in the tertiary education sector during the commissioning of the Dr. Paul Effah Conference Hall.
“We must shine the light on the universities’ utilization of their IGF and how that benefits expanding access to quality higher education, particularly the provision of residential halls and, more importantly, lecture theatres,” Iddrisu stated.
He tasked the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) with ensuring that these funds are used effectively to support educational infrastructure and access to quality education.
The Minister also directed GTEC to develop a comprehensive plan for establishing polytechnics in every region of Ghana. These institutions would serve as a bridge between senior high school and university education, providing students with practical skills and industry-relevant training.
“Don’t you think that another layer is for us to have a polytechnic in each region in Ghana to provide a link between senior high school and the university? What do we do to improve the industry connection?” Iddrisu asked.
“So maybe your council would want to look into this and give the president a blueprint, but it is a possible pursuit in expanding access to higher education that government will think ahead and see if we can have a polytechnic in each of the 16 regions of Ghana to expand, increase access to higher education that still focuses on employability and industry,” he added.
The proposed polytechnics aim to address the need for skilled workers in various industries, providing students with hands-on training and competencies required for the job market. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to expand access to higher education and promote employability.