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University of Ghana must seek Public-Private Partnerships to expand infrastructure – Haruna

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has called on the University of Ghana to explore public-private partnerships to expand its infrastructure and improve its facilities.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony of the University of Ghana Governing Council, Haruna Iddrisu outlined the President’s vision for the university’s future, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to drive growth and progress.

“The university must seek through appropriate, legitimate, public-private partnerships to expand your infrastructure, both academic and residential, in order that you can grow and improve the student population,” Haruna Iddrisu said.

This call to action comes as the university faces challenges with overcrowded lecture theatres and accommodations for students. Haruna Iddrisu acknowledged that government investment in higher education is not commensurate with the expectations placed on the university.

“Admittedly, I’ll be the first to admit that government investment in higher education is not commensurate to the expectations we have of you,” he said. “We will need to rethink the allocation” of project funds to address these challenges.

Despite these challenges, the President has demonstrated his commitment to supporting research and innovation at the university. Haruna Iddrisu announced that the President intends to operationalize the National Research Fund, with an allocation of 15 million Ghana cedis to support research and affiliate institutions.

The University of Ghana has a critical role to play in shaping the country’s future, and Haruna Iddrisu urged the student representative council to take full advantage of their membership and presence on the council to advocate for their concerns.

With the President’s support and the Council’s commitment, the University of Ghana is poised to address its infrastructure challenges and improve its facilities, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for its students.