The Government of Ghana is considering establishing new polytechnic institutions in all sixteen regions to address the growing need for technical and vocational education.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, during a meeting with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in Accra.
According to the Minister, the move is intended to bridge the gap between secondary and university education, and to equip students with industry-relevant skills.
“There is the need for another layer — to have a polytechnic in each region of Ghana — to serve as a bridge between senior high school and university,” he said.
“What do we do with employability and the industry connection? That’s the gap we’re aiming to fill,” he said.
The Minister explained that the proposal has become necessary as all former polytechnic institutions in the country have now been converted into technical universities.
The Minister called on GTEC to develop a comprehensive proposal for submission to the President.
“We want GTEC to provide the President with a blueprint — outlining the possible approach — and government will explore the feasibility of establishing a polytechnic in each of the sixteen regions. This will help expand access to higher education with a strong focus on employability and industry.”
Call for Realignment in University Training
Mr. Iddrisu also emphasized the need for a closer alignment between higher education and the needs of the job market.
“Our universities are sticking rigidly to their traditional mandates, focusing mainly on general academic training. Yet, there are ongoing complaints from industry and the private sector that graduates are not meeting workforce needs,” he said.
“University education must address the manpower demands of the country, and we’ll rely on GTEC to help guide that process,” he assured.
Support for Persons with Disabilities
In a related development, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to providing free tertiary education for persons living with disabilities.
“I’ve set up a four-member committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Clement Apaak, to coordinate this effort. We’ll rely on GTEC and the Student Loan Trust Fund to ensure a stress-free, fee-free tertiary education experience for persons with disabilities,” he said.
“This is part of our drive to fulfill President Mahama’s pledge to all persons with disabilities,” Mr Iddrisu added.
Concerns Over University Spending
The Education Minister also raised concerns over how universities are utilizing their Internally Generated Funds (IGF). He urged for transparency and better financial management to improve access and infrastructure.
“We must shine a light on how universities are using their IGF — particularly whether those funds are going towards expanding access to quality education, such as the construction of residential halls and lecture theatres,” he stated.
He noted that some universities continue to claim financial constraints despite having unutilized funds.
“You’d be surprised that while some universities claim they lack money, they may have funds sitting idle in their accounts. These resources could be invested in hostels and other critical infrastructure instead of going unused,” the Education Minister suggested.
