Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum has announced that the government will soon give approval to all public tertiary institutions to hire and replace critical staff.
The Minister made this statement during a speech delivered by Professor Yayra Dzakadzie, Deputy Director of the Ghana Education Tertiary Commission (GTEC), at the 24th Congregation of Ho Technical University (HTU).
In addition to the staff recruitment plans, Dr. Adutwum also assured the management of HTU that all projects being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) will be completed as scheduled.
He also mentioned that the government has already paid GH¢362.4 million in book and research allowances to eligible senior members of public tertiary institutions across the country.
The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to creating fair opportunities for staff members to advance in their careers and ensuring that educational institutions become self-sufficient in terms of human resources.
Dr. Adutwum also highlighted the implementation of the ‘No Guarantor Students Loan Policy‘, which allows tertiary students to access loans by only providing their Ghana Card. The loan amount has also been increased by 50% and now ranges between GH¢1,500 and GH¢3,000.
He reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s dedication to providing equitable, inclusive, and high-quality education and opportunities for lifelong learning to all children.
To achieve this, the government is determined to provide adequate funding for Technical Universities and create an environment that fosters relevance to both national and international development through retooling, innovative, high-quality teaching and learning driven by ICT and research.
He commended HTU for providing students with practical, hands-on experience and congratulated the graduates, urging them to make a positive impact in their chosen fields and be valuable assets to nation-building.
The Minister also expressed appreciation to HTU for its great work and reiterated his resolve to work together with management to achieve the government’s vision for the sector.
Professor Ben Honyenugah, the Vice-Chancellor of HTU, mentioned some of the new programs introduced, including BSC Economics and Innovation, BTECH Biomedical Engineering, BTECH Real Estate and Facilities Management, and BTECH Architectural Technology.
He also said that the University had invested in improving its academic resources, including infrastructure upgrades of classrooms and ICT labs. He appealed for a hotel school facility for the Hospitality Management Department and called for the release of funds to complete GETFUND projects.
Mr. Francis Edem Kumado, a Higher National Diploma Fashion Design and Textiles student, was adjudged the overall best student and valedictorian with a 4.95 grade point average.