Mahama gov’t expanding tertiary education access through key initiatives – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has highlighted key measures introduced by the Mahama administration to expand access to tertiary education and strengthen Ghana’s higher education institutions.

Speaking on behalf of Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at the maiden Ghana Higher Education Summit at the University of Ghana on Wednesday, August 26, Dr. Apaak said government’s focus remained on improving access, equity and the capacity of tertiary institutions.

He cited the No Fees Stress Initiative, expanded student loan support and the provision of free tertiary education for eligible students with disabilities among measures aimed at easing financial barriers to higher education.

Dr. Apaak also pointed to increased investment in emerging public universities, reforms to improve transparency in the national scholarship system and efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education.

He said government had also invested in university infrastructure, including a 10,000-bed hostel project at the University of Ghana.

Another key initiative, he noted, was the operationalisation of the Ghana National Research Fund with an initial GH¢100 million seed funding to support competitive research grants as well as doctoral and postdoctoral training.

“We remain committed to ensuring that every Ghanaian has access to quality education, while strengthening our tertiary institutions to become globally competitive centres of excellence in learning, research and innovation,” he said.

Dr. Apaak said the initiatives formed part of government’s broader vision of building an inclusive and research-driven higher education system capable of developing human capital, promoting innovation and supporting Ghana’s long-term socio-economic transformation.