Education Ministry endorses MTN–UG partnership, urges more corporate investment in education

The Ministry of Education has endorsed the partnership between MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana, urging more corporate institutions to invest in education and skills development.

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, said stronger collaboration between the private sector and academic institutions was critical to transforming Ghana’s education system and preparing young people for the demands of the future economy.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, at the partnership signing ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, September 2, Dr Apaak said the government would continue to create an enabling environment for corporate investment in education.

“The Ministry of Education remains committed to creating an enabling policy framework that encourages corporate leaders to co-invest in academic institutions,” he said.

Dr. Apaak said the MTN Ghana–University of Ghana partnership provided a practical model for linking education, innovation, and industry to national development.

“The Ministry fully endorses it as a practical demonstration of how purposeful collaboration can accelerate Ghana’s education transformation and digital skills agenda,” he stated.

The partnership includes the MTN Ghana Digital Excellence Awards, which will recognise outstanding Computer Science students and connect them to practical tools, National Service placements, and opportunities within Ghana’s technology sector.

It will also introduce the Tɛkyerɛma Pa Hackathon, challenging students to apply software engineering and data science to real socio-economic problems.

Dr. Apaak said initiatives of this nature would help equip young Ghanaians with practical artificial intelligence and digital and technical skills needed in the modern workforce.

He therefore encouraged more companies to explore similar collaborations with educational institutions.

“Government therefore welcomes this partnership and encourages similar models that align education delivery with the skills, innovation and enterprise needs of our national economy,” he said.

Dr. Apaak also commended MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana for bringing the initiative to fruition.

“On behalf of the Minister for Education, I extend our profound appreciation to the leadership of MTN Ghana and the University of Ghana for bringing this important initiative to fruition,” he added.