The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding academic freedom and the institutional autonomy of Ghana’s public universities.
Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted Governing Councils of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on April 28, Mr. Iddrisu said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama is committed to protecting the independence of universities as essential spaces for innovation and national development.
“We will not interfere with academic freedom,” he stated. “Our universities must be allowed to thrive independently in their pursuit of excellence.”
At UCC, the minister challenged the newly appointed council to lead efforts in improving foundational literacy and numeracy across the country, aligning with the government’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) agenda. He also announced plans to integrate licensing exams into teacher education and establish ICT innovation hubs to support distance learning.
Turning to UPSA, Mr. Iddrisu called on the council to prioritize entrepreneurship development as a pathway to tackling youth unemployment.
He emphasized the need for universities to equip graduates with skills that meet the demands of a changing economy.
“These institutions must be drivers of transformation, producing job creators—not just job seekers,” he said.
The minister’s remarks underscore the government’s dual focus on preserving academic independence while steering reforms to ensure Ghana’s higher education system is responsive to the country’s broader development goals.
By: J.W Quarm
