The Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has introduced five bills to Parliament seeking to establish five new universities in Ghana.
The proposed universities are the University of Mampong, the University of Health, Agriculture and Life Sciences in Kintampo, the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences in Bunso, and the University of Local Governance and Development.
Dr. Adutwum highlighted that the University of Mampong would combine the Mampong Technical College and the Mampong campus of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development.
“This is to ensure effective management by establishing a local structure, rather than being a branch of the Appiah-Menka University in Kumasi,” Adutwum said. “Mr. Speaker, over the years we’ve seen that Appiah-Menka used to be part of the University of Education, Winneba, and it became independent. So, this is part of the school’s reorganization to ensure efficiency.”
Regarding the University of Health, Agriculture and Life Sciences in Kintampo, Adutwum said, “The university at Kintampo has been a College of Health Sciences for years. Given its track record, it can be upgraded into a university.”
According to Adutwum, the proposed University of Engineering and Applied Sciences in the Ahafo Region aims to provide the region with a campus featuring all necessary infrastructure, enhancing the country’s educational value.
Similarly, the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences in Bunso will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Adutwum emphasized that these universities would increase Ghana’s gross tertiary enrollment ratio.
“Currently, it stands at about 22 percent, which is commendable for a sub-Saharan African country, but significant development occurs when this ratio reaches around 60 percent,” Adutwum said.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, raised concerns about the lack of briefing on the fiscal implications of the bills, especially with the limited time before the next election.
He stressed the need for universities in the Oti and Western North regions. “If the intention is to have a university in every region, then we urgently need to consider the Oti and Western North Regions,” Forson said.
Forson added, “The only concern I have is that we have four months until the next election and five universities are being proposed. The fiscal implications are not well known. It is crucial that the Minister provides details on how these universities will be funded, including the necessary infrastructure to support them.”