The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured the academic community that university lecturers will be exempted from the government’s suspension of post-retirement contracts in the public sector.
He made this announcement during the inauguration of the newly constituted Governing Board of the University of Ghana in Accra on April 25.
“About a month ago, the President issued a suspension of post-retirement contract renewal. My understanding was that it created some fear and panic. Let me assure you that it does not affect persons in academia. You are entitled to that exemption that recognize that you are rare breed in our country. Therefore, this post contract beyond sixty years does not affect members of academia in the country,” he assured.
In addition, the Minister revealed that the government has secured GH¢50 million as seed funding to support the implementation of the National Research Fund.
“The President this year intends to operationalize the National Research Fund and accordingly an amount of fifty million cedis has been allocated for the takeoff of the National Research Fund. I should be inaugurating the board in the next few weeks,” the Minister hinted.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the University of Ghana Governing Council, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting government initiatives.
She emphasized their dedication to ensuring that the policy to absorb fees for first-year students is fully realized.
“We will support effort to eliminate the academic fees of first year students thereby reducing financial barriers for the next generation,” she said.
