The Chancellor of Garden City University College (GCUC) in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, Professor Emeritus Anthony Apeke Adimado, has said that the government will consider allocating a portion of funds from the GETFund to support private universities operating in the country. hope to do so.
Professor Adimad, who spoke at the 15th Congregation of University College, said such an allocation would help address the infrastructural challenges that private universities are grappling with.
“It is our fervent prayer that private universities in Ghana will also be beneficiaries of the GETFund,” he said.
Professor Adimad also appealed for support from corporate bodies and individuals to help realize the vision of the University College.
“Partnerships from individuals, corporations and organizations from a variety of sectors will also be needed, including donations of books and other learning materials, and student sponsorship of university degree programmes.”
He called for further support in other areas, including: “A system of prizes and recognition for outstanding students and staff, and the provision of student accommodation under build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreements or equitable partnerships.”
The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is a public trust established by an Act of Parliament in 2000. Its core mission is to provide government funding to supplement government efforts to provide educational infrastructure and facilities within the public sector. From pre-tertiary to tertiary level.
However, some stakeholders, particularly in the private tertiary sector, have consistently called on the government to amend the law establishing a fund to accommodate private educational institutions.
They have often argued that private universities also contribute to the development of national human resources and should therefore be supported in developing the human resources necessary for national development.
However, the government has often argued that such calls are misguided. We do not believe that it is best practice to mix public and private funding as it is likely to cause problems in terms of ownership.
The government believes that running a private university is a purely private business, and the 1992 Constitution provides that private people and institutions, if they have the funds and resources and meet accreditation requirements, can run private higher education institutions. It claims that it has given it the right to operate.
The school’s 15th Congregation graduated 1,711 students with various diplomas and degrees. Professor Adimad hinted at plans to introduce undergraduate programs in agribusiness, ophthalmic dispensing technology, and a six-year Doctor of Optometry.
Graduate programs such as midwifery, nursing, cybersecurity and agribusiness management are also included in the plan.
GCUC founder Albert Acquah said the university would focus broadly on the Sustainable Development Goals.
The special guest of honor, Professor Nana Anokye, Director of Global Health at Brunel University London, urged the graduates to give back to society.
“Give back your time, talent and treasure. Give back your experiences, insights and feedback. And give back your support, encouragement and appreciation. A future for the university that benefits wider society. Give back to empower the,” he said.
The Chancellor of Garden City University College (GCUC), Emeritus Professor Anthony Apeke Adimadu, used the occasion to appeal to the government to fix the airport roundabout to Antoa through Kenyase.
“We respectfully request that very urgent and serious attention be given to the rehabilitation of the road from the airport roundabout through Kenyase to Antoa.
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